These demons are supposed to appear with a cart wrapped in flames, to seize the soul of a wicked man who is about to die. The cruel torments they devise for lost souls in hell are the subjects of much vivid and fantastic imagination. But they belong to the purely Buddhist mythology and bear a curious resemblance to the imps and devils of mediaeval Christian superstition.
But in spite of their terrifying aspect, the Oni of Japanese folk-lore have a distinctly comic aspect. They are fond of interfering in human affairs, but they are easily baffled by simple incantations or charms, and their consequent irritation is often made the subject of a humorous story. They are easily deceived, and their demoniac strength as well as their frightful appearance makes them all the more ridiculous when they are fooled or made helpless by those whom they meant to annoy.
A curious old tale, told in a collection of stories that was written in the twelfth century, illustrates in an amusing manner this peculiarity of the Oni. It is known as "Taking Off the Lumps" (Kobu-tori).[1]
There was once an old man who had a big lump on his right cheek. One day he stayed so late in the forest cutting wood that he was obliged to take shelter for the night in the hollow of a large tree. In the middle of the night he heard confused noises near by and at last he realized that they were made by a group of Oni, which included every variety of devil. He peeped out to watch them and saw them sitting at a merry banquet and dancing one after another, some skilfully and others most awkwardly. The old man was very much amused at the sight, and, being overtaken by a desire to take part in the frolic, he crept out of the tree and began to dance too. The devils were amazed at the unexpected apparition, but were delighted to have a human being in their company and to observe the old man's clever dancing.
They spent an hour or two very pleasantly, and when they
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