They are a demon originally from China. His skin can be green or red. They usually have three horns, similar to those of a bull; some of them have horns in the form of writhing snakes with poisonous fangs. The fangs are long, curved, like those of a tiger; in some tales they eat human flesh.
Some have the head of a horse or a bull, but most have a human-like head. They have three eyes and a disgusting hole instead of a mouth, stretching from ear to ear.
This horned demon is smart and cunning. He tormented the people of Japan, but could not be detected because he flew through the air invisible or took on human form. Until the 6th century, they were a Shinto god, but when Buddhism came from China to Japan, they began to consider him an evil spirit. In his earthly form he causes destruction, brings hunger and disease, and in the form of a demon he steals the souls of sinners. They want to eat all the time, they just have an exorbitant appetite. Having caught the sinner, they take him to hell in a chariot of fire.
It is believed that a woman can turn into an oni due to excessive jealousy or grief. Even if an oni woman takes the form of an earthly beauty, her evil temper will still manifest itself in terrible outbursts
rage. They may be the souls of people who died of plague or hunger. Absolute strength and power they can cause a monstrous earthquake, fatal disease and even terrible famine. They are incredibly strong and can destroy a wall with their sharp claws.
The Buddhist sage Nishiren believed that they were sent to the Japanese as punishment for their sins, so he founded a special school to correct morals.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru