Yokai (妖怪) are supernatural entities and spirits in Japanese folklore. The word yōkai is composed of two kanji characters which both mean "suspicious, doubtful" and while it may be regarded as a loanword from the Chinese term yaoguai, the word yōkai has taken on multiple different meanings peculiar in Japanese context. Yokai are not simply the Japanese word for demon, but rather they are the embodiment of a moment: a feeling of dread and bewilderment, or awe and wonder over an extraordinary event; or a strange sound or peculiar scent that demands an explanation; an ineffable phenomenon explained only by a supernatural entity. They are often depicted as strange embodiments of ordinary individuals or creatures, and their behavior can range from malevolent or mischievous to benevolent to humans. Yokai that shapeshift are known as bakemono (化け物) or obake (お化け) . Japanese folklorists and historians explain yokai as personifications of "supernatural or unaccountable phenomena to their informants". In the Edo period, many artists invented new yokai by taking inspiration from folk tales or purely from their own imagination. Today, yokai continue to be popular in Japanese culture and can be appreciated everywhere, from museum halls to renowned Ghibli films.