Jiang Shi Physiology

Jiang Shi Physiology
Hsien-Ko (Darkstalkers)
Power/Ability to:	Use the traits of jiang shi.

"Stop shooting! I'm not a zombie! I'm a jiang shi! I don't even eat people OR their brains!"

― Hsien-Ko's win quote to Chris Redfield in Marvel vs. Capcom 3

The power to use the abilities of jiang shi. Variation of Undead Physiology.

Also Called

• Chiang Shi Mimicry/Physiology
• Chinese Vampire/Zombie Mimicry/Physiology
• Gangshi (Korean) Mimicry/Physiology
• Geungsi (Cantonese) Mimicry/Physiology
• Jiangshi Mimicry/Physiology
• Kuang Shi Mimicry/Physiology
• Kyonshī (Japanese) Mimicry/Physiology

Capabilities

The user can become or use the skills and abilities of a jiang shi (lit. "stiff corpse"; geung-si in Cantonese, cương thi in Vietnamese, gangshi in Korean, kyonshī in Japanese), also known as a Chinese "hopping" vampire, a type of undead in Chinese legends and folklore. Most jiang shi are created when a person's soul fails to leave the body, usually due to an improper death, an act of suicide, simple desire for trouble or via Necromancy.

Their appearance ranges from unremarkable (as a recently deceased person) to horrifying (rotting flesh, rigor mortis, as corpses that have been in a state of decay over a period of time). Jiang shi absorbs life energy, but because of modern Western influence, some do now drain blood instead. They have pale, sometimes greenish-white, skin, long clawlike fingernails, and a long prehensile tongue. They are usually dressed in Qing Dynasty robes.

In some versions, they detect potential victims by their breath and holding one's breath will temporarily hide from one; some stories report that if you suck the unexpelled last breath out, the corpse will fall inanimate.

Applications

• Blindsight
• Claw Retraction
• Conversion
• Defunct Physiology
• Enhanced Senses
  • Enhanced Hearing
• Enhanced Strength
• Life-Force Absorption
  • Chi Absorption
• Lunar Energy Absorption
• Prehensile Tongue

Variations

• Blood Consumption
• Regulation - charm on forehead.
• Soul Absorption

Associations

• Necromancy
• Undead Physiology
• Vampire Physiology
• Zombie Physiology

Limitations

• Traditional jiang shi are so stiff that that they cannot bend their limbs and body, so they have to move around by hopping while keeping its arms stretched out for mobility.
• Typical weaknesses of a jiang shi are the blood of a black dog, a wooden sword made from a peach tree, a hen's egg, glutinous rice, etc.
• The user may be controlled or defeated with a parchment inscribed with runes being placed on their forehead. They are usually immobilized by the parchment until it is removed.
• May not be able to operate under sunlight.

Known Users

See Also: Chinese Vampire.

• Mr. Yam (Anno Dracula)
• Jiang Shi (Castlevania: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia)
• Jiang Shi (Chinese Mythology)
• Jiang Shi clan (Chronicles of Darkness/Vampire: The Requiem)
• Jiang Shi (Crazy Safari/The Gods Must Be Crazy III)
• Hsien-Ko (Darkstalkers)
• Dercori (Dragon Ball Super)
• Jade Court (The Dresden Files)
• Jiang Shi (Jackie Chan Adventures)
• Nightwalker Heartless (Kingdom Hearts)
• Jiang Shi (Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness)
• Jiangshi (Monster Girl Encyclopedia)
• Shiishii (Monster Musume)
• Mr. Yam (Mr. Vampire)
• Jiang-shi (Pathfinder)
• Ru-shi (Pathfinder); via Dhampir Physiology
• Rinshi (Power Rangers Jungle Fury/Juken Sentai Gekiranger)
• Kumiko Kamimoto (Raishon)
• Deshiko Deshi (Rosario+Vampire)
• Ling-Ling Huang (Rosario+Vampire)
• Lee Pailong (Shaman King)
• Jiang Shi (Sleeping Dogs: Nightmare in North Point)
• Jiang-shi (Starfinder)
  • Zeera Vesh
• Pionpi (Super Mario Land)
• Yoshika Miyako (Touhou Project)
• Jiang Shi (Valkyrie Crusade)
• Kuei-jin (World of Darkness/Kindred of the East)
  • Ming Xiao
• Kyunshii & Zukkyunshii (Yo-kai Watch)
• Rin Azuma (Yozakura Quartet)

Origin Stories

Jiang Shi are said to originated from the folk practice of "Traveling a Corpse Over a Thousand Li", where families who could not afford much in the way of traveling expenses for a deceased family member who died far from home would hire a Taoist priest to transport the body.

The priest would tack a talisman to the body's forehead, which would enable the body to find its way back to its original home for proper burial by hopping. Taoist priests would only transport the bodies at night, and would constantly ring bells to warn other nighttime pedestrians that a Jiang Shi was coming their way; the pedestrians, of course not wanting to be seen by a Jiang Shi, would vacate the area immediately. To protect themselves, the priests would wear a headdress that had a veil covering their faces; this way, the Jiang Shi they were transporting would travel alongside them without the temptation to devour the priest.

Gallery

Miyako Yoshika (Touhou)

Ling-Ling Wong (Rosario + Vampire)

Jiang Shi (Mr. Vampire)

Jiang Shi H.png

Jiang Shi (Valkyrie Crusade)

Jiangshi (Monster Girl Encyclopedia)

Shiishii (Monster Musume)

Jiang Shi (Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness)