Goryō
/ɡoɾʲoː/noun
In Japanese belief, a vengeful spirit—often that of someone who died unjustly—thought capable of causing disasters or epidemics.
Did you know?The Gion Matsuri festival in Kyoto is traditionally linked to rituals intended to calm goryō believed responsible for an epidemic.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Japanese
Japanese
霊（たま） / tama
“Spirit or soul; an early Japanese concept underlying later spirit vocabulary.”
Classical Japanese
Japanese
御霊（ごりょう） / goryō
“An honored or revered spirit, especially one associated with the dead.”
8th–10th Century
Japanese
御霊信仰 / goryō shinkō
“Belief and ritual practice centered on appeasing powerful, potentially vengeful spirits of the dead.”
10th–12th Century
Japanese
御霊会 / goryō-e
“Public ceremonies performed to pacify spirits blamed for calamity, disease, or social disorder.”
Modern English
English
goryō
“A Japanese vengeful spirit or honored ghost, usually discussed in writing about Japanese religion, folklore, or history.”