What is the Japanese word for "Ghost"?

Question

I'm writing and drawing a comic book and I need the word for "ghost" in Japanese. People who speak Japanese please! All answers are appreciated though. :)

*NOTE* My character's daughter was murdered. (If that helps at all, as I know that Japan is rich in folklore.) Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

most common word for ghost is Yurie..... composing of two kanji words, 幽 (yuu), meaning "faint" or "dim" and 霊 (rei), meaning "soul" or "spirit

Alternative names include 亡霊 (Borei) meaning ruined or departed spirit, 死霊 (Shiryo) meaning dead spirit, or the more encompassing 妖怪 (Yokai) or お化け (Obake).

Also sub classification such as:

Onryō - Vengeful ghosts who come back from purgatory for a wrong done to them during their lifetime

Ubume - A mother ghost who died in childbirth, or died leaving young children behind. This yūrei returns to care for her children, often bringing them sweets.

Goryō - Vengeful ghosts of the aristocratic class, especially those who were martyred

Funayūrei - The ghosts of those who perished at sea.

Zashiki-warashi - The ghosts of children, often mischievous rather than dangerous.

Also called YuuYuu title in a popular animated show.

Answer 2

I believe yurei is one word, although I am sure there are others, just as there are in English (phantom, spirit, etc).  If you look up yurei in Wikipedia, it lists some other terms, and some of the folklore (although Wikipedia should always be taken with a grain of salt).

Answer 3

ghost

yuurei (ghost, spook, phantom, spirit)

bourei (ghost, apparition, soul, spirit)

obake (ghost, bogy, specter, hobgoblin, monster)

kage (shadow)

maboroshi (illusion, phantom)