Key Points

- Impious individuals cursed after death to eat humans and human corpses

Brief Bio 

The origins of the Jikininki myth can be traced back to the Heian period (794-1185). During this time, esoteric Buddhism flourished in Japan, and the belief in vengeful spirits and retribution for sins was prevalent. The Jikininki myth emerged as a manifestation of these beliefs, depicting the consequences of greed, selfishness, and the violation of social norms.