Tradition / Region: Japanese Mythology
Alternative names: —
Category: Bird
The Myth
The Immora is a large bird-like yōkai that appears to priests who neglect their religious duties.
According to the legend, a temple in Ushū finally received a new head priest after many years without one. Unknown to the villagers, the monk was extremely lazy. He performed his daily prayers carelessly, rushed through funeral rites, and spent his time drinking sake instead of fulfilling his responsibilities.
One night, after returning from a funeral and falling asleep drunk, he was awakened by the loud flapping of enormous wings around the temple. A great bird circled the building throughout the night, making a deafening noise.
This creature was known as Immora, a supernatural being said to appear only to monks who fail in their sacred duties. Rather than attacking its victims, it torments them with its relentless presence and thunderous wingbeats.
Sources
TYZ. (n.d.). 共命鳥 (Immora). In 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1072742086.html