Amanozako (天逆毎)

Alternatively: アマノザコ

Korean: 아마노자코 (Amanojako)

Traditional Chinese: 天逆每 (Tiān nì měi)

“Heaven Opposing Everything”

Amanozako like a Kijo (Female Oni, Ogress) or even amanojaku ⤴️

A rebellious yokai goddess that originated when her father the kami Susanoo let his own ferocious spirit and rage build up inside him (his aramitama) until he vomited her out. She is said to have a beastly face, a crooked long nose, pointed ears, sharp fangs and tusks so strong they can break even the strongest blades.

Amanozako is known to go against conformity and does the opposite of what is expected in society and social norms. She is said to be picky, and will go into an atrocious rage if she does not get what she wants, or if things do not go according to her way. When in this state, she can hurl even the most powerful gods distances of over one thousand villages in a single throw. Her wrath can’t be easily stopped.

Stories of Amanozako were being told long before history began being recorded. It is said that she is the ancestor deity of all yokai who share her personality and disobedience. Some of these yokai include most notably the tengu, as well as amanojaku.

While she’s said to be ancestor of many yokai her only child that has been named, thus far is Amanosaku. Which, due to her obstinate behavior, she brought into being all on her own. He is Amanozako’s spawn, and is said to be just as terrible and disobedient as she is. Apparently, Amanosaku drove all 8 million gods in heaven mad, and because of this, Amanosaku was made the ruler of every malevolent or troublesome kami.

In terms of her godly abilities, other than what has been mentioned, the legends and stories say that Amanozako is a trickster, of sorts. She likes to possess the hearts of humans and manipulate their emotions and personalities. She’s been also said to be able to fly for thousands of miles. It’s also assumed she posseses all the powers of a demon goddess of her stature, and powers like her descendants including transformation(変化, へんげ, “Henge”).

Amanozako holds titles like Hime (princess), tengu kami, metengu and possibly even of Queen due to what she is among yokai. As Susanoo’s daughter she has many relatives including her aunt the sun goddess Amaterasu, her uncle the moon god Tsukuyomi, her brother Yashimajinumi (八島士奴美神 – Mighty Master Ruling Eightfold Isles) who was the original ancestor of many earthly kami and later humans as well like his aunt Amaterasu. Another notable relative mention is Izanami, her grandmother who later on went to rule Yomi and like her granddaughter, she was also one of the progenitors of Yōkai, birthing demon gods like Raijin and Fujin, thus making them also uncles to Amanozako.

While normally looking similar to a tengu, she’s also been depicted like an ogress in various media.

Amanozako as seen in Touhou media ⤵️

Amanozako as seen in Shin Megami tensei

Original depiction of Amanozako

Amanozako as a regular tengu, like a karasu tengu and a guhin Tengu (dog tengu).

It’s been fun studying yokai for my story.