The
Shinto and
Buddist Oni were divided into two types:
1.From
Hell, called :"Gaki".
2.From
Earth (Oni)
GAKI are able to take a somewhat
humanoid shape, but usually are not able to hide their huge swollen bellies. They are red or green and have the head of either a horse or an
ox with three eyes and
grotesque horns and
talons.
They are constantly
tortured with
raging hunger and thirst.
They
pounce upon the
wicked who are close to die and send them to the
torment of
Hell.
ONI are earth
demons who can
shapeshift into a human form of a
relative or
aquaintance, of the person that they want to torment.
Some of these are
rumoured to be the
distorted souls of
women who have died of excessive
grief.
These demons are responsible for bringing
misfortune,and
disease - especially the
plague.
They may be driven out during the "
Shinto Oni-yarahi"
ceremony.