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{{Short description|Fire spirit in Japanese folklore}} |
{{Short description|Fire spirit in Japanese folklore}} |
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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 |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=gqs-y9R2AekC&lpg=PA311&pg=PA311 |date=2003|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=1-57607-467-6|location=Santa Barbara, CA |page=311}}</ref><ref name=Bane>{{Cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=VSu6CwAAQBAJ&lpg=PA19&vq=akuma&pg=PA19#v=onepage&q&f=false |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 name=Jones>{{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 |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=gqs-y9R2AekC&lpg=PA311&pg=PA311 |date=2003|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=1-57607-467-6|location=Santa Barbara, CA |page=311}}</ref><ref name=Bane>{{Cite book|title=Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=VSu6CwAAQBAJ&lpg=PA19&vq=akuma&pg=PA19#v=onepage&q&f=false |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 name=Jones>{{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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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, following the introduction of Christianity to Japan, akuma became the customary way of translating the English word Satan.[5]
An akuma is typically depicted as an entity with a fiery head and flaming eyes, and carrying a sword. It is said to be to be a harbinger of misfortune to those who see it.[4]
Traditionally, the Japanese describe mental illness as a direct result of the presence of akuma.[6]
References
- ^ Ashkenazi, Michael (2003). Handbook of Japanese Mythology. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. p. 311. 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.
- ^ a b 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.
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