https://github.com/glorylab/yokai-jp
Structured dataset of Japanese Yokai (folklore creatures) – names, aliases, readings, and regions. Maintained by yokai.jp
https://github.com/glorylab/yokai-jp
dataset yokai
Last synced: 4 months ago
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Structured dataset of Japanese Yokai (folklore creatures) – names, aliases, readings, and regions. Maintained by yokai.jp
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/glorylab/yokai-jp
- Owner: glorylab
- License: other
- Created: 2025-09-09T06:07:48.000Z (9 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2025-10-03T00:25:14.000Z (8 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-02-08T11:06:13.245Z (4 months ago)
- Topics: dataset, yokai
- Homepage: https://yokai.jp
- Size: 171 KB
- Stars: 3
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE
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README
# Open Dataset of Japanese Yokai
An **experimental open dataset** of Japanese Yokai (妖怪) for cultural, educational, and creative uses.
Maintained by the team behind **[YOKAI.JP](https://yokai.jp)** - a Japanese yokai culture portal featuring an encyclopedia, interactive experiences, and editorial content.
> **Important:** This dataset mirrors the content structure and entries available at **https://yokai.jp/yokai**.
> It is provided for reference and experimentation only.
---
## About YOKAI.JP
**YOKAI.JP** is a comprehensive **Japanese yokai culture portal**. It presents a browsable yokai encyclopedia (traditional & modern), an interactive **[Yokai Diagnosis](https://yokai.jp/diagnosis)** quiz, an online **[Yokai Shrine](https://yokai.jp/shrine)** (omikuji, ema, visit flow), and [kid-friendly pages](https://kids.yokai.jp). The site also publishes frequently updated **Daily Yokai** entries and other interactive features.
This repository provides a machine-readable extract of that yokai catalog.
---
## Status & Disclaimers
- **Language:** Currently **Japanese only** (`metadata.language = "ja"`).
English and other languages will be added in future releases.
- **Stability:** The dataset is **unstable**. Field names, structures, IDs, and content **may change at any time**.
Treat this as a **prototype/reference**, not a production API.
- **Accuracy & Scope:** Traditional yokai vary by region, source, and era.
Entries **are not academically authoritative** and may be incomplete or simplified.
**Do not use for rigorous scholarship or serious factual claims.** This is a cultural dataset intended for exploration.
- **Alignment:** The data **tracks** the content at **yokai.jp/yokai**; when the site evolves, this dataset may follow.
- **Types (`yokaiType`):**
- `traditional` — entities drawn from folklore, classical texts, and historical imagery
- `daily` — modern yokai **created by YOKAI.JP** for contemporary/interactive contexts
- **Roadmap:** Upcoming versions may add **source citations (出典)**, extended references, and richer metadata.
---
## Data Model (overview)
Top-level fields (example from `metadata` in `v0.1.0`):
```json
{
"metadata": {
"language": "ja",
"version": "0.1.0",
"generatedAt": "2025-09-09T06:44:28.749Z",
"totalSpecies": 141,
"totalVersions": 145,
"totalImages": 156,
"description": "YOKAI.JP Open Dataset - Japanese Yokai Species and Versions",
"license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
"sourceUrl": "https://yokai.jp",
"githubUrl": "https://github.com/glorylab/yokai-jp"
}
}
```
Each item in `species[]` typically includes:
- `slug` — stable identifier (e.g., karakasa-kozou)
- `name` — primary Japanese name
- `nameKana` — reading
- `aliases[]` — alternative names (optionally with readings)
- `category` — loose classification
- `yokaiType` — traditional or original
- `origin` — brief provenance (when applicable)
- `baseDescription` — short description (JP)
- `versions[]` — variant records (e.g., traditional iconography vs. modern reinterpretation)
- `slug`, `versionName`, `description`, etc.
> Note: Field presence and semantics may evolve as the site evolves.
## Use Cases
- Cultural/educational apps or demos
- Creative coding and prototyping (cards, quizzes, timelines)
- Language learning experiments (kana, aliases)
- Lightweight NLP/playful analysis of folklore terms
For long-form articles, illustrations, and interactive experiences, please visit [yokai.jp](https://yokai.jp).
## License
Creative Commons Attribution–ShareAlike 4.0 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
You may share and adapt the data with attribution and under the same license.
See the full legal text: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Attribution example:
“Data from YOKAI.JP – Open Dataset of Japanese Yokai (CC BY-SA 4.0).”
## Contributing
Contributions are welcome — corrections (readings/aliases), additions, translations, or ideas for structure.
Please open an Issue or submit a Pull Request.
Because the dataset mirrors site content, structural changes may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
## Contact
For inquiries (including commercial or partnership questions), please reach out via [yokai.jp/contact](https://yokai.jp/contact).