Yamabiko is a mountain god, spirit, and yōkai in Japanese folklore; the term “yamabiko” also refers to the echo that occurs in mountains, after which the yōkai is named. Literally translated, the term means “mountain boy”. It is the yōkai responsible for the natural phenomenon in mountains or canyons. Living deep in the mountains, direct encounters with the yamabiko are rare. Often they are heard, but never seen. The small and elusive yōkai wasn’t officially classified until the Edo period in Japan. Instead the bizarre noises coming from the mountain were attributed to a natural phenomenon, like birds, and not given any spiritual significance. It is usually depicted with gray fur, peach-colored belly, floppy ears, large grin, and arms outstretched as though it is caught mid-shrug. The yamabiko is a small creature that resembles a cross between a dog and a monkey. The term “yamabiko” is also used to describe the phenomenon of a delayed echo in mountains and valleys, and is thought to be the spirit answering. In this case, it is written as 幽谷響. This anomaly is also sometimes called “kodama”, when it is thought to be the answering voice of a tree spirit (木霊 or 木魂).
Alias Yamabiko (山びこ)
Real Names/Alt Names “Mountain boy”; Alt: Yamahiko
Appearance List Bakemono no e (化物之繪, “Illustrations of Supernatural Creatures”, Edo Period), Gazu Hyakki Yagyō (画図百鬼夜行, “The Illustrated Night Parade of a Hundred Demons” or The Illustrated Demon Horde’s Night Parade, 1776) Vol. 1 “Yin”
Description Yamabiko is a mountain god, spirit, and yōkai in Japanese folklore; the term “yamabiko” also refers to the echo that occurs in mountains, after which the yōkai is named. Literally translated, the term means “mountain boy”. It is the yōkai responsible for the natural phenomenon in mountains or canyons. Living deep in the mountains, direct encounters with the yamabiko are rare. Often they are heard, but never seen. The small and elusive yōkai wasn’t officially classified until the Edo period in Japan. Instead the bizarre noises coming from the mountain were attributed to a natural phenomenon, like birds, and not given any spiritual significance. It is usually depicted with gray fur, peach-colored belly, floppy ears, large grin, and arms outstretched as though it is caught mid-shrug. The yamabiko is a small creature that resembles a cross between a dog and a monkey. The term “yamabiko” is also used to describe the phenomenon of a delayed echo in mountains and valleys, and is thought to be the spirit answering. In this case, it is written as 幽谷響. This anomaly is also sometimes called “kodama”, when it is thought to be the answering voice of a tree spirit (木霊 or 木魂).
