OTAKEMARU

Lore

Otakemaru isn’t an ordinary yokai or man-eating oni; he is a demonic demigod. His legend is inseparable from the historical general Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, who fought in the early ninth century and is said to be the only person ever to destroy this mountain demon.

According to the tales, Otakemaru settled on Mount Suzuka, a key overland corridor that cut through the range. There he ambushed caravans, robbed them, murdered travelers, and abducted women. Being part divine, Otakemaru also stole sacred artifacts from the gods, storing them in his lair. He wielded these trophies during his raids to further his own evil ends and tighten his grip on the mountain. Each relic amplified his power and granted him unique abilities. His birth is described as the union of a human and a demon, giving him a humanoid form with destructive might.

Otakemaru is depicted as a gigantic, horned oni, yet his signature trait is shapeshifting. Legends show that he relied less on brute strength and more on trickery, appearing as a beautiful woman or a priest to lure victims into ambushes. He could also summon storms, lightning, and torrential rain, making him a master of the elements. Some texts claim he possessed stolen relics—iron boots, a shield, and a helmet—that granted invulnerability and incredible speed.