A four-character idiom referring to the evil spirits of mountains and rivers (various monstrous spirits); metaphorically used for scoundrels or corrupt people.
古典文学では魑魅魍魎がしばしば登場する。
In classical literature, chimi mōryō often appear.
都心の裏社会を魑魅魍魎になぞらえる評論もある。
There are commentaries that liken the city's underworld to a mass of chīmimōryō.