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魑魅魍魎 (ちみもうりょう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
evil spirits of rivers and mountains ; all kinds of monsters and demons
yojijukugo (four-character idiom)
Refers to a host of malevolent supernatural beings, often used figuratively for a motley crew of villains or troublemakers. The phrase evokes a sense of lurking, shape-shifting threats.
政せい
界かい
に
は
魑ち
魅み
魍もう
魎りょう
が
うごめい
て
いる
。
The political world is crawling with all sorts of shady characters.
Kanji 魅 fascination, charm, bewitch 魍 spirits of mountains and streams 魎 spirits of trees and rocks Similar words 妖よう 怪かい 妖怪 is a general term for Japanese folkloric monsters and spirits, while 魑魅魍魎 specifically emphasizes a multitude of evil, often shape-shifting, spirits and is more literary.
化ばけ 物もの 化物 is a common word for a monster or ghost, often a single entity; 魑魅魍魎 implies a swarm of diverse, sinister beings.
Etymology A yojijukugo originating from Chinese folklore. 魑魅 (chimi) are mountain spirits, and 魍魎 (mōryō) are water spirits; together they denote all manner of harmful supernatural beings. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the phrase has been used in Japanese literature for centuries.
