About Japanese Monsters - Writers Forum

Glow_Chocolate · 03-08-2005, 12:12 PM

Can someone tell me about some monsters that were made in Japan, like the oni (Japanese ogre)? I've heard about the tanuki and the tricks they've pulled on humans.

Is there such thing as a cat monster called a Nekomata???

valeca · 03-08-2005, 12:32 PM

Google. Your new best friend.

Nekomata - 15,800 hits.
Japanese Oni - 113,000 hits.

Dunyasha · 03-08-2005, 08:14 PM

Yes it is...I think or I think its a pet. But I go with cat monster. Heres a description:

Cat Sorceror

Also Known As: Nekobake (neck-oh-bah-keh)

Pronunciation: neck-oh-mah-tah

Areas Found: Typically areas inhabited by humans as nekomata develop from domesticated felines

Special Powers: Magic, control of the dead

Danger Level: Typically not direly threatening, but handle with care.

Likes: Sleeping, eating, self-amusement

Dislikes: Being mistreated by humans, dogs
Profile

It was once believed that after a cat reached ten years of age, it would develop profound magical powers, typically exhibited by either a tail split halfway down or the tail splitting all the way down to form two tails. By gesturing with its tail, nekomata can animate and control the dead to do their bidding, or even dance for their amusement.

Anyone familiar with cats knows their temperaments and distinct personalities, which made it all the more convincing to anyone who had ever met a cat. As a result many cats lost their tails due to superstition, and so many Asian breeds of cats have developed with short tails or none at all, or so it is said.

Nekomata can also do other magic, but their most well-known and common power is that of animating the dead and manipulating them to whatever ends the particular nekomata wishes. This can be particularly traumatic if a nekomata, slighted by a family, decides to animate deceased members of that family to taunt them. A nekomata must be appeased by attention, food, and respect, and while many are fickle and turn their attention at a moment's notice, they do not tend to forget when they are insulted and by whom.

*I hope this helps you, Glow Chocalate* I'll look up more monsters and come back here, k!! GOOD LUCK!!* ^_^

Dunyasha · 03-08-2005, 08:18 PM

WOW!!! I really don't know if I should tell you or be selfish and keep it ALL to myself...*giggles*...no don't fret, I'll tell you!!! You know that last post with the Nekomata, well I went to the main page of the site I got all that information on and theres a list from A to Z of different youkai!!! WOWEEE!!!! I'll give you the site:

http://www.youkaimura.org/youkainame.htm

GOOD LUCK!! HOPE IT HELPS!!! ^_^ WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Glow_Chocolate · 03-09-2005, 10:33 AM

Thank you! This helps alot!

Verago · 03-09-2005, 08:57 PM

http://www.pantheon.org/areas/mythol.../articles.html

Encylopedia Mythica: Asia/ Japanese Mythology.

Your new best friend. =)

Glow_Chocolate · 03-10-2005, 11:58 AM

Once again, thank you.

By the by, The reason why I needed to know about Japanese monsters was because I plan to write a "horror" story.