A yakashi is a term referring to a type of supernatural being or spirit in Japanese folklore, often associated with the dead or the afterlife. These entities are sometimes considered malevolent and are believed to haunt specific locations, like graveyards or abandoned places. The concept of yakashi can vary widely across different regions and stories, with some interpretations emphasizing their connection to ancestral spirits. They are part of the broader category of yōkai and other supernatural creatures in Japanese mythology.