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An '''akuma''' (悪魔) is an evil spirit in [[Japanese folklore]],<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ashkenazi|first=Michael|title=Handbook of Japanese Mythology|date=2003|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=1-57607-467-6|location=Santa Barbara, CA|language=en}}</ref><ref name=Bane/> sometimes described in English-language sources as a [[devil]] or [[demon]].<ref name=Bane/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Brinkley |first=Frank |url=http://archive.org/details/cu31924082117288/page/22 |title=An Unabridged Japanese-English Dictionary |date=1896 |publisher=Sanseidō |page=22}}</ref> An alternative name for the ''akuma'' is ''ma'' (ま).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jones |first=Alison |url=http://archive.org/details/laroussedictiona0000jone_m7w1/page/12 |url-access=registration |title=Larousse Dictionary of World Folklore |date=1995 |publisher=Larousse |page=12 |isbn=0-7523-00-43-1}}</ref> ''Akuma'' is the name assigned to [[Satan]] in [[Japanese Christianity]], and the [[Mara (demon)|Mara]] in [[Japanese Buddhism]]. |
An '''akuma''' (悪魔) is an evil spirit in [[Japanese folklore]],<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ashkenazi|first=Michael|title=Handbook of Japanese Mythology|date=2003|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=1-57607-467-6|location=Santa Barbara, CA|language=en}}</ref><ref name=Bane>{{Cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology|last=Bane|first=Theresa|date=2016|publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers|isbn=978-1-4766-6355-5|location=Jefferson, NC|pages=19}}</ref> sometimes described in English-language sources as a [[devil]] or [[demon]].<ref name=Bane/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Brinkley |first=Frank |url=http://archive.org/details/cu31924082117288/page/22 |title=An Unabridged Japanese-English Dictionary |date=1896 |publisher=Sanseidō |page=22}}</ref> An alternative name for the ''akuma'' is ''ma'' (ま).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jones |first=Alison |url=http://archive.org/details/laroussedictiona0000jone_m7w1/page/12 |url-access=registration |title=Larousse Dictionary of World Folklore |date=1995 |publisher=Larousse |page=12 |isbn=0-7523-00-43-1}}</ref> ''Akuma'' is the name assigned to [[Satan]] in [[Japanese Christianity]], and the [[Mara (demon)|Mara]] in [[Japanese Buddhism]]. |
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==Mythology== |
==Mythology== |
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The earliest uses of the word ''akuma'' are mainly found in Buddhist texts, but it also appears in literary works, especially those written during the [[Heian period]] (794–1185 AD).<ref name=Link>{{Cite book|last=Link|first=Luther|title=Devil: A Mask Without a Face|date=1995|publisher=Reaktion Books|isbn=0-948462-67-1|location=London|pages=188}}</ref> Later, mainstream usage associated the name with the Christian Satan. It is said that, due to the lack of monotheism, there was no opponent of God so akuma became the equivalent of Satan.<ref name=Link/> |
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An ''akuma'' is typically depicted as an entity with a fiery head and eyes, and carrying a sword. The ''akuma'' is typically said to be able to fly, and to be a harbinger of ominous and terrible fortune and can bring misfortune to those who happen to see it. {{cn|date=August 2017}} |
An ''akuma'' is typically depicted as an entity with a fiery head and eyes, and carrying a sword. The ''akuma'' is typically said to be able to fly, and to be a harbinger of ominous and terrible fortune and can bring misfortune to those who happen to see it. {{cn|date=August 2017}} |
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An akuma (悪魔) is an evil spirit in Japanese folklore,[1][2] sometimes described in English-language sources as a devil or demon.[2][3] An alternative name for the akuma is ma (ま).[4] Akuma is the name assigned to Satan in Japanese Christianity, and the Mara in Japanese Buddhism.
Mythology
The earliest uses of the word akuma are mainly found in Buddhist texts, but it also appears in literary works, especially those written during the Heian period (794–1185 AD).[5] Later, mainstream usage associated the name with the Christian Satan. It is said that, due to the lack of monotheism, there was no opponent of God so akuma became the equivalent of Satan.[5]
An akuma is typically depicted as an entity with a fiery head and eyes, and carrying a sword. The akuma is typically said to be able to fly, and to be a harbinger of ominous and terrible fortune and can bring misfortune to those who happen to see it. [citation needed]
Traditionally, the Japanese describe mental illness as a direct result of the presence of evil spirits, particularly by akuma.[6]
In popular culture
- Akuma is featured in the Japanese novels such as Kazai Zenzo's Akuma (1912); Akutagawa Ryunosuke's The Devil's Tobacco (1916); and, Tamura Taijiro's The Demon of the Flesh (1946).[7]
- The Japanese translation of Diana Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle was translated into Japanese in 1997 as Mahotsukai Hauru to hi no akuma (The wizard Howl and the fire demon).[8]
- In the fighting game series Street Fighter, Akuma is the American name of a character named Gouki.
- In the television series Miraculous, an akuma is a small creature resembling a black butterfly with translucent purple highlights that can grant superpowers to any civilian through negative emotions. No matter their initial intentions, the one granted these powers inevitably goes on a destructive rampage in pursuing whoever caused that emotion turning them into supervillains, Scarlet Akumas are crimson with bright red edges and white markings, and Megakuma looks the same as a regular Akuma but slightly bigger and it’s powerful enough to breaking through and destroy the magical charms created by Ladybug, which are used to prevent reakumatizing to anyone who were victims.
- In the manga D.Gray-man Akuma are machines created from the souls of deceased humans and are contained within the body of someone who grieves for them.
- Karateka based from Atari/Nintendo family system video game, the final boss is called Warlord Akuma who kidnapped Mariko.
- In the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, the character Sephiroth displays many of the same traits and is known as the Akuma of Wutai, which is often translated as 'Devil', 'Demon', or 'Nightmare' in the English versions.
- In the animated series The Hollow, Akuma is the name of the leader of a group of demon monks.
References
- ^ Ashkenazi, Michael (2003). Handbook of Japanese Mythology. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. ISBN 1-57607-467-6.
- ^ a b Bane, Theresa (2016). Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 19. ISBN 978-1-4766-6355-5.
- ^ Brinkley, Frank (1896). An Unabridged Japanese-English Dictionary. Sanseidō. p. 22.
- ^ Jones, Alison (1995). Larousse Dictionary of World Folklore. Larousse. p. 12. ISBN 0-7523-00-43-1.
- ^ a b Link, Luther (1995). Devil: A Mask Without a Face. London: Reaktion Books. p. 188. ISBN 0-948462-67-1.
- ^ RN, Michele R. Davidson, PhD, CNM, CFN (2012). A Nurse's Guide to Women's Mental Health. New York: Springer Publishing Company, LLC. p. 34. ISBN 978-0-8261-7113-9.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Frédéric, Louis (2002). Japan Encyclopedia. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. pp. 22, 484, 945, 949. ISBN 0-674-00770-0.
- ^ Aoyama, Tomoko; Dales, Laura; Dasgupta, Romit (2014-09-15). Configurations of Family in Contemporary Japan. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-97499-4.
- Unexplained mysteries.com, accessed 6 July 2016