In Japanese Buddhism, jikininki ("human-eating ghosts"; pronounced shokujinki in modern Japanese), are similar to Gaki/Hungry ghost; the spirits of greedy, selfish or impious individuals who are cursed after death to seek out and eat humans and human corpses.

ORIGINS: Jikininki are closely related to gaki—hungry ghosts of Buddhist cosmology who are constantly starving but unable to eat anything. A jikininki is born when a person performs evil deeds, corrupting his soul. Some jikiniki were corrupt …

Apr 8, 2023 · Jikininki are human-eating supernatural beings that are a prevalent feature in Japanese mythology. They are classified as gaki, which are hungry ghosts that are cursed with an insatiable hunger that can never be satisfied.

In the shadowy crevices of Japanese myth, where the line between the material and the spiritual world blurs, one encounters the eerie tale of the Jikininki. These enigmatic entities are often neglected in the grander narratives of gods and heroes, yet their spectral presence leaves an indelible mark on the human psyche.

Jikininki, also known as “human-eating ghosts,” are supernatural creatures that are part of Japanese folklore. These creatures are believed to be the cursed spirits of individuals who were greedy, selfish, or impious during their lifetime.

Feb 29, 2024 · Despite being a product of ancient beliefs, the Jikininki myth continues to hold relevance in contemporary Japanese society. Its enduring presence reflects the timeless nature of human fears and anxieties, as well as the importance of tradition and folklore in preserving cultural identity.

Jikininki are basically the ghouls of Japanese folklore. They are the souls of rapacious people, cursed to forever hunger for the flesh and bones of decaying human corpses. They slip into temples at night — feasting on any interred bodies and robbing them of their valuables, including food and offerings.

Jikininki 「食人鬼」 are malevolent spirits in Japanese Buddhism known as "human-eating ghosts."According to legend, they are the souls of greedy, selfish, or impious individuals cursed after death to seek out and devour human corpses to relieve their eternal hunger.

In Japanese Buddhism, jikininki are the spirits of greedy, selfish or impious individuals who are cursed after death to seek out and eat human corpses. Jikininki are preta of the 26th class in Japanese Buddhism. They are also sometimes considered a …

JIKININKI. Once, when Muso Kokushi, a priest of the Zen sect, was journeying alone through the province of Mino (1), he lost his way in a mountain-district where there was nobody to direct him.