Growing up, I was obsessed with Greek mythology. I was that annoying kid “um actually”-ing Hercules in the theatre, frustrated that a Disney movie didn’t make its star the bastard son of Zeus who murdered his wife and children in a rage. “He’s called Heracles.” I’ve long been fascinated with these legends and the complex stories they weaved. But I always treated them as just that: stories. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey reminded me how they’re more than fiction.

The Japanese are very much into their spirits. There are hundreds of them, many harmless, many tragic, and more than a few just mischievous. There actually aren't too many evil spirits wandering the country… but there are a few, and you don't want to mess with any of them. Here are 14 reasons to avoid Japanese relationships, Japanese bathrooms, Japanese babies and pretty much the entirety of Japan.