A demon or ogre in Japanese folklore, usually depicted as large, fierce, and sometimes with horns or unusual colors.
From Japanese 'oni' (鬼), possibly related to the word for 'hidden' or 'unseen.' The concept evolved through Japanese Buddhism and Shinto traditions.
Oni aren't purely evil in Japanese culture—they're complex beings that can protect people or bring bad luck. The New Year tradition of 'setsubun' involves throwing beans to scare away bad oni and invite good ones.
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