(akki means wicked oni)


The word "Oni" is sometimes speculated to be derived from on, the on'yomi reading of a character meaning to hide or conceal, as oni were originally invisible spirits or gods which caused disasters, disease, and other unpleasant things. These nebulous beings could also take on a variety of forms to deceive (and often devour) humans. Thus a Chinese character meaning "ghost" came to be used for these formless creatures.

The invisible Oni eventually became anthropomorphised and took on its modern ogre-like form, partly via syncretism with creatures imported by Buddhism such as the Indian rakshasa and yaksha, the hungry ghosts called gaki, and the devilish underlings of Enma-Ō who punish sinners in Jigoku (Hell).

An Oni is often depicted as glutinous, lustful and ill-tempered, though easily distracted by crude humor. The power of flight is usually attributed to it which it will use to fall upon the souls of evil people.


(Source - Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oni_(folklore))