Oni (鬼) are iconic, fearsome demons or ogres in Japanese folklore, typically depicted as large, monstrous figures with horns, sharp teeth, and brightly colored skin (often red or blue), wielding iron clubs (kanabō). They symbolize misfortune and serve as tormentors in Buddhist hells but have evolved to sometimes represent good luck or protective figures in art and modern media, appearing in everything from ancient scrolls to anime. During the Heian period (794–1185), oni were often depicted in J

The Ogre Explained | Origins of the Monster in Mythology