What is an inugami?
An inugami is a kind of tsukimono, a possessing spirit: the spirit of a dog that is said to possess people. Those possessed were said to fall ill or behave like dogs. Belief in the inugami was widespread, centered on Shikoku and extending to the Chugoku and Kyushu regions.
Inugami legends
A grim legend says an inugami is created by starving a dog, cutting off its head and worshipping its spirit. It is also said to swarm in tiny forms the size of mice. It was believed to possess people in response to feelings of envy or hatred.
The “inugami lineage” superstition
In the past, inugami were thought to be attached to particular families for generations, and such families were called “inugami-suji” or “inugami-mochi.” This superstition led to discrimination, such as avoiding marriage or social ties with those families. Today it is recognized as a baseless superstition, and it is studied in folklore research together with the history of the discrimination it caused.
