Noun

(en-noun)

A Japanese evil spirit or demon.

* 1908 , Henri L. Joly, Legend in Japanese Art: A Description of Historical Episodes, Legendary Characters, Folk-lore, Myths, Religious Symbolism, Illustrated in the Arts of Old Japan , page 263-264

ONI' . Generic name for devils, the representation of which in art is quite a common feature. ' Onis have claws, a square head with two horns, sharp teeth, and malignant eyes surmounted by big eyebrows; occasionally they wear trousers of tiger skin.

* 1918 , William Elliot Griffis, Dutch Fairy Tales for Young Folks

Across the ocean, in Japan, there once lived curious creatures called Onis . Every Japanese boy and girl has heard of them, though one has not often been caught.

* 1979 , Marian Ury, Tales of Times Now Past: Sixty-Two Stories from a Medieval Japanese Collection , University of California Press, ISBN 0520038649, page 147:

"That's no human being playing the instrument," he thought in amazement. "It can only be an oni or some such being."

* 1992 , Karl M. Schwarz, Netsuke Subjects: A Study on the Netsuke Themes with Reference to Their Interpretation and Symbolism , Böhlau Verlag Wien, ISBN 3205055152, page 46:

The standing Shoki holds with his left hand an oni on his leg.

* 2005 , Christopher Hart, Manga Mania Shoujo: How to Draw the Charming and Romantic Characters of Japanese Comics , ISBN 0823029735, page 69

This is actually a boy bishie in the form of an ogre. It's called an oni in Japanese. Onis have supernatural powers that can command the forces of nature such as wind (to create hurricanes) and lightning (to create thunderbolts).

* 2011 , Mike Shel, "Ecology of the Oni", Jade Regent: The Brinewall Legacy , Paizo Publishing, ISBN 978-1-60125-361-3, page 69:

The oni are a diverse group of evil spirits who take on the form of humanoid creatures so that they can enjoy the pleasures and vices of the flesh.

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Noun

(en noun)

(fantasy literature) A mythical malevolent phantom or grotesque diminutive humanoid; a kobold.

* 1872', , ''The Princess and the '''Goblin , page 50,

""

* 2006 , Charlotte Bishop, Norty: The Chosen Ones , page 187,

At last the goblins' had a chance to rid themselves of one of the troublesome defenders, and two ' goblin warriors snatched the opportunity.

* 2010 , Thom L. Nichols, War: Return of the Elves , Part 1, page 37,

The goblin shifted the two younger ones closer to him. It looked like he was hiding behind them, using them as a shield.

The goblin looked pure evil. His eyes were brown.

* 2010', D. S. Macleod, ''The Middle Times: Rise of the '''Goblin King , page 229,

I shall send another entourage of goblins' back here to Desput with the '''goblins'''’ new ally the Pixy! These creatures deserve the same respect as any other ' goblin .

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-22, volume=407, issue=8841, page=76, magazine=(The Economist)

, title= Snakes and ladders , passage=Risk is everywhere. From tabloid headlines insisting that coffee causes cancer (yesterday, of course, it cured it) to stern government warnings about alcohol and driving, the world is teeming with goblins . For each one there is a frighteningly precise measurement of just how likely it is to jump from the shadows and get you.}}

Noun