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Obake

Folklore
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

General term for Japanese ghosts or shape-shifters, especially tsukumogami

Detailed Definition
Obake arise from objects or spirits seeking justice or play. In poetry, they embody transformation, the persistence of memory, and the animism of everyday life, often used in surreal or moralistic contexts.
Example
Example in poetry:
Obake, Japanese shape-shifters, appear in transformation poetry: "Obake slips from teacup form—smoke and laughter, gone by dawn"; Poets use them to explore impermanence: "Nothing stays as it appears—Obake teaches change is true"; In playful verse, they symbolize surprise: "Your umbrella? Obake trick—now it’s crow, now cherry bloom"; Their ambiguity reflects life’s fluidity: "Obake walks where boundaries blur—self and other, real and dream"
Additional Notes
Obake: A general term in Japanese folklore for supernatural beings that transform or shapeshift (from “bakeru” – to change). Includes yōkai like kitsune and tanuki. In poetry, it embodies impermanence, illusion, and the fluidity of form. Useful in Buddhist-influenced or metamorphic verse; note its philosophical depth beyond mere monsters.
Also Known As
Obake (Japanese ghost) Bakemono
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