Ushi-Oni 牛鬼
Meaning: Ox Demon
Also Known As: Gyuuki Rough Western Equivalent: In some forms and stories, it is similar to a minotaur; In others it is similar to a giant spider |
Much of the information you're reading here about Japanese monsters comes from this book. It has some grammar mistakes, but is all in all a good buy.
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Suggested D&D 3.5e Stats
Climate/Terrain: Near bodies of water. Most notably on shores, near lakes, behind waterfalls, near rivers.
Organization: Solitary or Gang (2-4); Occasionally with nure-onna or iso-onna. Challenge Rating: ~5 Treasure: Remnants of victims Alignment: Usually Neutral Evil |
DescriptionUshi-oni have a varying description. Take your pick, but adjust the statistics accordingly!
The more common illustration of Ushi-oni is that of a spider-like body with an ox head (the image in the header of this page). Other representations are of very tall-necked bovine who have sword like spikes as tails and the faces of Oni (this image is the one chosen during the Ushi-oni festival in Uwajima). There are other, less popular representations of Ushi-oni who are very Minotaur-esque in style, with a humanoid body and a cow's head. The only 'confirmed' real Ushi-oni in history (see "Additional Information") says that it looks like a humanoid flying-squirrels with a cow's head. Some of the illustrations show them as just bulls! Ushi-oni are best known for being eaters of humans, who hide in pits, or hunt near bodies of water. Occasionally they have been known to live in mountainous areas. They are known to harass local villages and towns, sometimes for lengthy periods of times (see the translation below in "Additional Information"). Occasionally these beasts team up with other creatures to lure prey to them. For example, they might team up with more beautiful Onna type of yokai and lure men to them. Feats and skills would depend largely on what kind of monster you would like (there are many Ushi-oni to choose from!). However, they would all likely have points in climb, hide, and/or swim. |
Combat
Combat styles depend on what kind of monster is attacking. Mostly the monster would attack with it's front appendages (if available), and attempt bites with its mouth (upon successful grapples, pins, or with two successful front arm attacks).
Some sources have described the Ushi-oni as having a toxic breath. Some say that merely looking upon an Ushi-oni can cause illness or death. Some are said to kill by eating the shadows of their victims.
The spider-like Ushi-oni would likely be adept at dodging, and be using piercing damage because its legs seem to be giant spikes.
The Ushi-oni that have "flying-squirrel"-like "wings" connecting its arms to its body (see "Additional Information") are known to leap and scream. Their arms have claws on them, and would likely be doing a type of slashing damage. Based on the image, it would likely try to grapple and bite targets.
Some sources have described the Ushi-oni as having a toxic breath. Some say that merely looking upon an Ushi-oni can cause illness or death. Some are said to kill by eating the shadows of their victims.
The spider-like Ushi-oni would likely be adept at dodging, and be using piercing damage because its legs seem to be giant spikes.
The Ushi-oni that have "flying-squirrel"-like "wings" connecting its arms to its body (see "Additional Information") are known to leap and scream. Their arms have claws on them, and would likely be doing a type of slashing damage. Based on the image, it would likely try to grapple and bite targets.
Additional Information
Here is an article about a real Ushi-Oni in Japanese history. I have translated it here. Negoro-ji Temple in Takamatsu City received the horns of an Ushi-Oni from the famed archer Yamada Kurando Takakiyo.
今から400年以上前、当山に牛鬼という怪獣が住んでいて人畜を害していた。
人々は大変困り、弓の名手 山田蔵人高清(現在の香川県塩江町に住んでいた)にたのんで退治してもらうことになった。 高清は、毎日弓矢を持ち、山中を隈なく探したが見つからない。さすがの弓の名人も困り、当山本尊に、怪獣が現れるよう21日間の願をかけ、一心に祈った。 やがて、21日目の満願の日、崖下にピカッと光るものを見つけた。それは、大きな皿のような目の牛鬼だった。高清は、素早く矢のねらいを定めて射た。矢はまっしぐらに飛び命中したが、牛鬼は怒り、高清めがけ飛びかかろうとした。そこで、二の矢、三の矢と続けざまに射たところ、その三の矢が、牛鬼の口の中に刺さり、ギャーと悲鳴をあげた。あまりの悲鳴の大きさに驚く間に、牛鬼は姿を消してしまった。高清は、血のあとをたどっていき、定が渕というところで死んでいるのを見つけた。 高清は、牛鬼の角を切り取り、人々からお礼にもらった米15俵をそえて、当山に奉納し、菩提をとむらったという。その角は、今でも当山に残っている。また、いつの頃からか、牛鬼の絵姿は、不思議にも魔よけの効能があるといわれるようになった。 山田蔵人高清のお墓は、香川県塩江町に現存する。 |
More than 400 years ago, a monster called an Ushi-oni who lived at Mt. Touyama was causing harm to the humans and animals there.
The people were very troubled and made a request to an expert with bows named Yamada Kurando Takakiyo (who lived in modern-day Kagawa Prefecture's Shionoe City). It came to be that he would exterminate the monster. Takakiyo searched everywhere in the mountains, carrying his bow and arrows everyday, but couldn't find the beast. Indeed, this was a big problem for him, the renowned archer, and so he prayed to the gods with a single-minded devotion. After some time, on the 21st day - the last day of prayer - he saw a shining light from the cliff. It was the Ushi-oni with eyes like huge dinner-plates. Takakiyo quickly fixed the aim of his arrow and shot. The arrow hit the target with full force, but the Ushi-oni [merely] got angry and went to leap at him. At that, he shot a second and third arrow one right after the other. The third arrow pierced inside its mouth and the Ushi-oni let fly a scream. The Ushi-oni was able to escape while Takakiyo was surprised by the size of the scream. Takakiyo followed the trail of blood and found [the demon] dead at a place called Sadagafuchi. Takakiyo cut off and took the demon's horns. For his deed he was rewarded by the people with 15 bales of rice. He offered them to Mt. Touyama and prayed for the dead. The horn remains, to this day, at Mt. Touyama. We're not sure when it began [but], the image of the Ushi-oni is said to have potency as a mysterious ward against evil. Takakiyo's grave is in Shionoe City, Kagawa Prefecture |