Tatarigami… Japanese divine entities that are believed to be vengeful and feared to bring misfortune to others.

Here, we will explore the origins, role, and famous examples of Tatarigami, as well as their depiction in the Studio Ghibli film Princess Mononoke, to uncover the true nature of these feared yet revered spirits.

In Japan, it is believed that there are yaoyorozu no kami (八百万の神), meaning “eight million gods”, in the first place. Among them, there are not only benevolent deities who bring blessings but also gods that bring calamity and misfortune—these are known as Tatarigami (祟り神), or cursed deities. These gods are feared for causing disasters, plagues, and societal unrest.

However, Tatarigami are not purely evil. In many cases, they can be appeased through proper rituals and worship, transforming into protective deities.

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Why Do Tatarigami Exist?

Tatarigami are often born from unjust treatment, tragic deaths, or strong resentment. In Japan, there is a concept known as onryō (怨霊), which means that those who die with deep grudges become vengeful spirits capable of bringing misfortune.

In Shinto, these spirits are sometimes referred to as “Magatsu-kami (禍つ神)”, deities of disaster who cause natural calamities and epidemics. However, many of these spirits can be pacified and even revered as gods if properly enshrined and worshipped.

Connections to Buddhism and Onmyōdō

The belief in Tatarigami is also influenced by Buddhism and Onmyōdō (Japanese esoteric cosmology):

• Buddhism teaches that spirits with lingering grudges fall into the “hungry ghost realm” and must be offered prayers to attain peace.
• Onmyōdō practices Goryō shinkō (御霊信仰), which involves worshipping vengeful spirits as gods to prevent disasters.

Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke (もののけ姫) provides a compelling depiction of Tatarigami, illustrating their origins and the consequences of human actions.

What Are Tatarigami in the Film?

At the beginning of the film, Nago, the boar god, is mortally wounded by a human firearm and transforms into a Tatarigami. Covered in a writhing black curse, he is consumed by hatred and rage, infecting Prince Ashitaka with the same corruption.

Lady Eboshi vs. Nature’s Wrath

Lady Eboshi symbolises human progress and industrialisation, which come at the cost of nature’s destruction. The film suggests that Tatarigami emerges when humans disrupt the balance between nature and the divine—a theme deeply rooted in Japanese spiritual beliefs.

The Contrast Between the Forest Spirit and Tatarigami

The Forest Spirit (Shishi-Gami, シシ神) represents the cycle of life and death, in contrast to Tatarigami, which embodies resentment and destruction. The film implies that Tatarigami are not inherently evil but rather a natural consequence of imbalance and human arrogance.

Princess Mononoke conveys a powerful message: “Humans create their own curses and must bear the consequences.”

Throughout Japanese history, several deities have been feared as Tatarigami. But among them, we’ve got the most famous three that are referred to as “The Great Vengeful Spirits in Japan (日本三大怨霊) “, which I will introduce here.

1. Sugawara no Michizane (Tenjin Faith)

Sugawara no Michizane (菅原道真) was a scholar and politician during the Heian period (8 – 12th centuries) who was wrongfully exiled and later died in despair. After his death, Kyoto was struck by lightning and plagues, which people attributed to Michizane’s curse. To appease his spirit, he was deified as Tenjin (天神), the god of learning and thunder, and is now worshipped across Japan.

2. Taira no Masakado (The Legend of Masakado’s Mound)

Taira no Masakado (平将門) was a warrior who was also active in the Heian period and rebelled against the imperial court but was defeated and beheaded. After his death, his severed head was said to have caused strange occurrences, such as his head flying in the air.

Those strange happenings finally led to the establishment of Masakado-zuka (将門塚), a grave dedicated to him in Tokyo. Even today, people believe that disturbing the grave leads to misfortune.

3. Emperor Sutoku (The Most Fearsome Tatari-gami?)

Emperor Sutoku (崇徳天皇) was exiled and died in resentment after losing a power struggle, again in the Heian period. After his death, Kyoto suffered fires, plagues, and political turmoil. To pacify him, he was later enshrined in Shiramine Jingu (Shrine), which is located in Kagawa prefecture.

Throughout Japanese history, people have sought ways to appease tatari-gami and prevent disasters caused by their wrath. Rather than attempting to eradicate these vengeful spirits, Japanese culture has developed ways to honour, respect, and calm them. These methods reflect a deep understanding of the balance between fear and reverence, as well as the belief that even the most dangerous forces can be transformed into protectors if treated correctly.

Dedicated Shrines and Sacred Sites

One of the most common ways to pacify a tatari-gami is through the construction of shrines dedicated to them. By enshrining a vengeful spirit, it is believed that their wrath can be redirected into blessings. This is seen in the Goryō faith (御霊信仰), a practice rooted in Onmyōdō, where spirits of those who died in anger or tragedy are worshipped not out of love, but out of necessity. The belief is simple: a powerful grudge can be redirected into a force of good if properly honoured.

Some of the most well-known examples include:

• Kitano Tenmangū (北野天満宮) – Built to honour Sugawara no Michizane, this shrine became the centre of Tenjin worship. Initially feared for his wrath, Michizane was transformed into a guardian deity of education through centuries of devotion.
• Masakado-zuka (将門塚) – The burial mound of Taira no Masakado in Tokyo remains untouched due to the belief that disturbing it would bring disaster. Even today, businesses and government offices near the site avoid moving or desecrating it, fearing his vengeance.
• Shiramine Shrine (白峯神宮) – This shrine in Kagawa is dedicated to Emperor Sutoku. Now, it is a place of respect and reverence, a symbol of how once-malevolent forces can be assimilated into protective deities.
• In Princess Mononoke, the underlying message suggests that Nago had been honoured by having a mound dedicated to him in the village.

Festivals and Purification Ceremonies

Many shrines perform rituals and festivals to prevent Tatarigami from unleashing misfortune. These rites often involve:

• Misogi (禊, Purification) – Water purification rituals cleanse people of impurities, ensuring that spiritual disturbances do not take hold.
• Shinto Offerings (供物, Kumotsu) – Offerings of food, sake, and other symbolic gifts are made to appease spirits and show respect.
• Annual Festivals (例祭, Reisai) – Celebrations dedicated to once-feared spirits help integrate them into local culture. At Kitano Tenmangū (remember where Sugawara no Michizane is enshrined), for example, students pray for academic success rather than fearing divine wrath.

Even in modern Japan, belief in Tatarigami has not completely faded. While traditional forms of faith may have evolved, the fear of curses, restless spirits, and supernatural vengeance remains deeply embedded in contemporary culture.

For example, even today, companies in Japan avoid demolishing certain old shrines due to the fear of curses. Or some people believed that if you vandalised the sacred area, you would get revenge from Tatarigami.

While Tatarigami are often framed as supernatural forces, we can still feel it through a bunch of horror stories and urban legends from those who had scary experiences.

Tatarigami are not merely spirits of vengeance; they are manifestations of unresolved emotions, disrupted natural balances, and societal fears.

Rather than seeing Tatarigami as simply supernatural beings, we should probably take them as reminders of what happens when human arrogance disrupts the delicate balance between nature, tradition, and the spiritual world.