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Yojijukugo

Japanese meaning of 百鬼夜行

Reading:

ひゃっきやこう (hyakki yakou)

English Translation:

Night parade of one hundred demons (supernatural beings)

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

A folkloric procession of yōkai (demons/spirits); by extension, chaotic nocturnal lawlessness.
日本語で読む
妖怪が群れ歩く夜の行列。転じて、無秩序・無法が横行する夜の有様。

Cultural Context:

Echoes Edo-period picture scrolls and modern pop culture; used metaphorically for disorderly crowds or scandal sprees.
日本語で読む
江戸の絵巻・現代ポップカルチャーに通じる比喩。雑踏の混乱や不祥事の連鎖をなぞらえる。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

• Noun phrase often used as-is to describe a chaotic scene like a parade of strange beings (“まるで百鬼夜行のような祭り”).<br>• Originates from folklore, depicting supernatural beings roaming at night.
日本語で読む
• 妖怪などの怪異が夜に徘徊する様子を描く「〜のような」（例：「百鬼夜行のような祭り」）。<br>• 民間伝承に由来する表現。

Trap for English Speakers

Might be taken as a literal ghost parade, but often metaphorical for disorder or chaos.
日本語で読む
文字通りの妖怪行列ではなく、混乱や騒然とした様子の比喩としても使われる点に注意。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 百鬼夜行のような奇妙な夢を見た。

    I had a strange dream like a night parade of one hundred demons.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 夏祭りの夜、提灯の灯りの中を百鬼夜行が練り歩く夢を見た。

    On a summer festival night, I dreamed of a night parade of one hundred demons marching under the glow of lanterns.

Quick check

Meaning

What does 「百鬼夜行」 mean?

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