It is mentioned in literature such as "Nihon Genho Zenaku Ryoiki" (set of three books of Buddhist stories, written in the late eighth and early ninth century, usually referred to as the "Nihon Ryoiki") and "Honcho Monzui" (an anthology of waka poems and prose written in classical Chinese); in classic paintings of specters such as "Gazu Hyakki Yako" (the illustrated night parade of one hundred demons) by Sekien TORIYAMA, it is drawn as an ogre having the appearance of a monk.
平安時代の『日本現報善悪霊異記』『本朝文粋』などの文献に話がみられ、鳥山石燕の「画図百鬼夜行」などの古典の妖怪画では、僧の姿をした鬼の姿で描かれている。