Proverb / Kotowaza
魑魅魍魎
A term for various monsters, or a metaphor for mysterious, wicked people plotting in secret for selfish gain.
A collective term for various monsters and evil spirits of the mountains, rivers, trees, and rocks.
Quick Answer
A term for various monsters, or a metaphor for mysterious, wicked people plotting in secret for selfish gain.
- Literal Image
- A collective term for various monsters and evil spirits of the mountains, rivers, trees, and rocks.
- How to Use It
- This is used to describe a place, organization, or situation filled with shady, untrustworthy, or wicked people who are difficult to identify or understand.
Meaning
This expression originally refers to a wide variety of spirits and monsters believed to inhabit the natural world and cause harm to humans. Metaphorically, it describes groups of sinister and untrustworthy individuals who operate in the shadows or behind the scenes—such as in politics or big business—to carry out selfish or evil schemes.
Literal Image
A collective term for various monsters and evil spirits of the mountains, rivers, trees, and rocks.
How to Use It
This is used to describe a place, organization, or situation filled with shady, untrustworthy, or wicked people who are difficult to identify or understand.
Tone
This is a highly literary and dramatic expression, carrying a critical or suspicious tone.
Examples
深い森の奥深くには、古くから魑魅魍魎が棲むと言い伝えられている。
It has been said since ancient times that various monsters and evil spirits dwell deep within the dark forest.
報道によれば、その事件の背後には政財界の魑魅魍魎がうごめいているらしい。
According to reports, it seems that mysterious and wicked figures from the political and business worlds are operating behind the scenes of that incident.
彼は欲望渦巻く都会を「魑魅魍魎が跋扈（ばっこ）する場所だ」と表現した。
He described the city, swirling with desire, as a place where all sorts of evil characters run rampant.
あの屋敷には何か得体の知れない気配が漂っており、まるで魑魅魍魎の巣窟のようだ。
There is a strange, unidentifiable presence lingering in that mansion; it is as if it were a den of monsters and evil spirits.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Contains extremely complex kanji and is a literary four-character idiom (yojijukugo) that cannot be used in daily conversation.
魑魅
ちみ / chimi
monsters of the mountains
魍魎
もうりょう / mouryou
spirits of the rivers and woods
跋扈
ばっこ / bakko
running rampant; dominating
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a very strong term that compares people to literal monsters; use it only when describing serious corruption or wickedness.
Misread Risk
While it literally refers to monsters, in modern contexts it is used as a metaphor for shady people in power.
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Origin
The term originates from ancient Chinese texts. 'Chimi' refers to mountain monsters or spirits formed from the energy of the forests, with 'chi' being a beast-like monster and 'mi' being a creature that brings disaster. 'Mouryou' refers to spirits inhabiting water, trees, and rocks, or spirits born from shadows. The composite term appears in the Chinese historical text 'Chunqiu Zuoshi Zhuan' (Zuo Zhuan), in a passage from the third year of Duke Xuan, which mentions that one should clarify virtue to appease the distant 'Chimi Mouryou'.
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.