Yōkai are a class of supernatural monsters and spirits in Japanese folklore. The word 'yōkai' is composed of the kanji for "bewitching; attractive; calamity" and "spectre; apparition; mystery; suspicious." Yōkai are also referred to as ayakashi (あやかし), mononoke (物の怪) or mamono (魔物). The characteristics of yōkai range diversely from malevolent and mischievous entities believed to cause misfortune and harm, to those who are considered to bring good fortune to those who encounter them.
