When people think of the Japanese zodiac, they usually imagine cute animals, lucky charms, and New Year’s traditions. But did you know there’s a darker side tied to demons and superstition?
Let’s take a dive into the spooky but fascinating link between the zodiac and Japanese “oni”—those fearsome horned creatures from folklore.
Index
🧭 What Is the Kimon “鬼門”?
In Japanese traditional beliefs, the Kimon “鬼門”—literally “demon gate”—refers to the northeast direction, which is considered unlucky. This superstition comes from Chinese geomancy and was adopted into Japanese culture during the Heian period.
Why northeast? In the traditional compass system, the northeast lies between the zodiac signs Ox “丑” and Tiger “寅”. Together, they represent the border where evil spirits were believed to enter the human world.
To this day, you can find many temples, shrines, and castles designed with the Kimon in mind—placing protective structures like gates or shrines in the northeast to ward off evil.
🐃🐯 Why Oni Look Like That: Clues from the Zodiac
Ever noticed how oni “Japanese demons” often have horns and wear tiger-skin loincloths? That’s not random.
- Horns = Ox “丑“
- Tiger-skin = Tiger “寅“
This design is a cultural reference to the direction of the Kimon. The oni’s appearance symbolizes their origin from the northeast—a clever visual shorthand in Japanese folklore.
In other words, oni wear their origins—literally—on their sleeves.
🎴 Manga and Anime: Oni Through a Modern Lens
Modern pop culture, especially anime and manga, has embraced and reimagined the oni in many ways.
Some examples:
- Demon Slayer “鬼滅の刃”: The story is full of oni, and while they don’t always follow traditional imagery, the idea of northeast-related evil spirits still lingers in the background.
- Naraku “from Inuyasha ‘犬夜叉’ “: Often shown in dark, misty places, and associated with corruption from within—an echo of old Kimon beliefs.
- Hozuki’s Coolheadedness “鬼灯の冷徹”: A comedic take on the underworld bureaucracy, featuring classic horned oni in a modern office setting.
These depictions often mix tradition with creativity, but their roots in folklore and geomancy still peek through.
🐯 A Personal Note: Why My Blog’s Mascot Is a Tiger
As the creator of this blog, I chose KeeeeN-G, a cheerful anime-style tiger, as the mascot—not just because I was born in the Year of the Tiger, but also because of what the tiger represents in Japanese culture.
Tigers are brave, bold, and a little wild. They’re also deeply connected to traditional beliefs, like the Kimon. That blend of strength and myth made it the perfect symbol for exploring Japan’s cultural trivia.
🧠 Conclusion
The link between the zodiac and Japanese folklore runs deeper than most people realize. Next time you see a horned demon in a manga—or visit a shrine in the northeast corner of a temple—remember, it might just be a nod to the old zodiac legends.
In the next part, we’ll explore how the zodiac shows up in classic Japanese stories—starting with one of the most famous heroes of all: Momotaro.
P.S.
I knew that the Chinese zodiac signs are used in various works and proverbs, but I think there are many Japanese who don’t know these things… Incidentally, I live in Tochigi Prefecture, which is famous for Nikko Toshogu Shrine, which was also built at the location of the demon’s gate. This is because it is located in the northeast as seen from Tokyo. Interesting, isn’t it?
またね(Matane)!
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