Tradition / Region: Japanese Mythology
Alternative name: –
Category: Cat
The Myth
The Myōki is a cat-headed disease demon believed to bring illness. It is mentioned in medieval Japanese texts such as the Denshibyō Kanjinshō.
According to descriptions in Denshibyō Shujuji and Keiran Shūyōshū, the Myōki has the head of a cat and the body of a human, and wears red robes. It holds Hyakkō Henshō-Ō (Dainichi Nyorai / Mahāvairocana) in its left hand while striking the chest of sick people with its right hand, causing disease.
Illustrations matching this description are preserved in manuscripts of Denshibyō Shujuji, including copies kept at Kinzan-ji Temple in Okayama.
Sources
Takahashi, Toshihiro. “猫鬼 (Myōki).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). Accessed July 28, 2026. https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1077741575.html