Tenka: Japan’s Mysterious “Heavenly Fireballs” – Were They Ancient UFO Encounters?

• 
• Post on X
• 

Across centuries of Japanese folklore, stories of mysterious fireballs descending from the sky have been recorded. Known as Tenka (天火), literally “heavenly fire,” these fiery orbs were feared as omens, agents of divine punishment, or even vampiric spirits. Today, some researchers suggest that these legends may in fact describe early UFO encounters.

Fireballs from the Sky and Tales of Destruction

In Edo-period texts such as Ehon Hyaku Monogatari (The Picture Book of 100 Ghost Stories), one story recounts a ruthless magistrate whose home suddenly erupted in flames shortly after his retirement. Witnesses claimed to see a blazing ball fall from the sky just moments before the fire consumed his house and all his treasures.

Other accounts, including Kōshi Yawa from Saga Prefecture, describe glowing orbs dropping from the heavens and rolling unpredictably into homes, sparking devastating fires. Villagers would chant Buddhist prayers and drive the fireballs into the countryside to prevent further destruction.

The Blood-Drinking “Tenkajin”

One of the most chilling variations comes from Gunma Prefecture: the legend of the Tenkajin (天火人), or “Heavenly Fire Person.” Described as a lantern-like glowing orb, it was said to swoop down on unsuspecting travelers, knocking them unconscious and, in some accounts, drinking their blood.

Local folklore attributed the phenomenon to the vengeful spirit of a feudal lord or a shapeshifting creature, but modern readers may see unsettling parallels to chupacabra reports and other alleged alien encounters.

UFOs, Meteors, or Something Else?

While some Tenka sightings may have been meteor showers or natural fire phenomena, their behavior—pursuing humans, entering homes, even attacking people—aligns eerily with modern UFO/UAP reports. In some regions, sightings were also linked to strange sounds and magnetic disturbances, echoing characteristics found in contemporary unexplained aerial phenomena.

Could Tenka represent one of the earliest cultural records of extraterrestrial probes visiting Earth? Or were they simply fiery myths born from fear and superstition?

Whatever their origin, Tenka remains one of Japan’s most compelling intersections of folklore, mystery, and possibly… contact.

References:
Shigeru Mizuki, Encyclopedia of Japanese Yokai
Kenji Murakami, Japanese Yokai Dictionary
and others

※ Unauthorized reproduction, video creation, and uploading of this article's content to YouTube, blogs, or other platforms is strictly prohibited.

Related Articles