Zhiyao (Jiyao) 152

Jiyao Net, formerly known as Zhiyao Net, records the historically significant cultures of strange, supernatural beings, and spirits throughout Chinese history, including but not limited to yao (妖), guai (怪), shen (神), mo (魔), gui (鬼), jing (精), xian (仙), and more, taking you through different cultural knowledge from ancient times to the present, both in China and abroad.

The site's original name was "China's Collection of Yaoguai," and the domain name also originated from this (cbaigui: c-china中国 baigui-百鬼). It was later renamed Zhiyao, and due to issues such as piracy, plagiarism, and domain squatting, it has now been renamed Jiyao. Our website includes, but is not limited to, yao, guai, shen, gui, jing, mo, xian, and other supernatural beings, and even some extraordinary plants. For ease of reference below, we will collectively refer to them as "yaoguai" (monsters).

When it comes to yaoguai, your first reaction might be Japan: Tengu, Inugami, Zashiki-warashi, Shuten-douji, and the most well-known term Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons), followed by "Onmyōji." As for China, there's the "Shan Hai Jing" and "Zi Bu Yu." "Zi Bu Yu" might be more widely known thanks to Xia Da's manga—what a pang to the heart. Having said all that, I just want to say that in order to satisfy my collecting obsession, and after considering the feasibility under these circumstances, I created the Collection of Chinese Yaoguai.

In the field of "yaoguai" collection, I am not the first. Within my knowledge, Mr. Luan Baoqun is most likely the first. "The Dictionary of Chinese Gods and Monsters" records about five thousand entries, but currently due to various factors such as manpower, time, and energy, we have only collected a portion. We have also included some lesser-known obscure miscellaneous records. Even so, apart from my collecting obsession, I still want to build a continuously complete and systematic "yaoguai" database, providing comprehensive textual resources for designers, illustrators, game planners, writers, and more.

Jiyao is an open online "yaoguai" database. We are committed to collecting, organizing, introducing, and sharing "yaoguai" from ancient literature. We strive to include as much "yaoguai" material from ancient texts as possible, allowing more people to fully and systematically understand China's "yaoguai" culture.