Onryō, Suijin, Yokai

The seas surrounding Japan are dangerous and tempermental. Often, rites are performed to calm them before sea travel. Additionally, these rituals satiate the sea yokai such as funayūrei and umibōzu. Today’s yokai is a lesser known creature of the sea, but just as dangerous. Today we discuss the sinister umizatō, the blind siren of the sea.


Since pre-Edo period, umizatō is described as a biwahōshi (琵琶法師) roaming the seas. Biwahoshi are Japanese bards who share ancient stories through music. Usually they are blind and play the biwa as accompaniment.

However, umizatō is less entertaining and more dangerous. Without sight, he walks the sea with a walking cane. The blind yokai also carries the biwa on his back. Additionally, umizatō taps around noisily, stirring up the waves as he wanders the sea.

Dangerous Waters

Although, umizatō looks harmless, his actions are not. For example, umizatō creates large waves and capsizes the sturdiest ships. Alternatively, he causes shipwrecks by beckoning fishing ships to reefs. Undoubtedly, umizatō is the blind siren of the sea.

But these facts is nothing compared to this next tale. An ancient sea “accident” describes a giant umizatō rising from the seas and swallowed a ship whole. Consequently, only a handful of survivors lived to tell the tale.

Conclusion

Yokai experts say that umizatō are onryō of blind men died at sea. Either by accident or sacrificed to calm choppy seas. Furthermore, umizatō are said to be vindictive towards fishermen at sea. But no reasons were given. Nonetheless, they do not prey on respecful travellers. So, before taking your sea cruise, it doesn’t hurt to say a little prayer before boarding.

InstagramIcon

Yokai Details

  • name: umizatō ( oo-me-zah-toe )
  • kanji: 海座頭 (うみざとう)
  • meaning: blind man of the sea
  • abilities:
    1. ocean control — the ability to create and shape the oceans and seas
    2. echolocation — tapping the seas in search of fishing boats and ships
Yokai

Many years ago, I backpacked across Miyagi prefecture (宮城県). One night, I came across a quaint bathhouse in a valley. Fortunately, I managed to acquire accommodation for the night. Soon after, I decided to soak in the onsen and rest my weary legs. I joined an elderly man who was already soaking for a while. Everthing was quiet and peaceful. Then, I heard sloshing and slurping. The old man turned to assure me. He said, “Do not worry. It is just akaname, he loves to lick these filthy bathtubs clean.”


During the Edo period, akaname are described as child-like yokai with cropped hair. Similar to zashiki-wararashi. But their similarities end there. Akaname are the creepier version with clawed feet and long prehensile tongue. Furthermore, their skin are tainted with a red or green tone.

Mutual Benefits

Nonetheless, akaname are harmless yokai that dwell in old bathhouses. Eventhough they look creepy, they are quite a handy yokai to have. Akaname loves to feed on the grime and muck that grows on moldy surfaces. The fresher, the better.

Nightly, when everyone is asleep, akaname would sneak into the bathrooms. They search for freshly grown grime and lick them all clean. Akaname is the perfect symbiote for household chores. But alas, most Japanese households prefer to keep their bathrooms squeaky clean to keep akaname away.

Conclusion

Personally, I would like to have akaname as a companion. Definitely, he is a useful yokai to have and so easy to feed. He even works the night shift. I love my akaname who loves to lick bathtubs.

InstagramIcon

Yokai Details

  • name: akaname ( ah-kah-nah-meh )
  • kanji: 垢嘗  (あかなめ)
  • aka: akaneburi (垢ねぶり)
  • meaning: filth licker
  • abilities:
    1. prehensile tongue — use tongue to grab and manipulate objects
    2. disease immunity — immune to diseases caused by bacteria, virus and parasites
Onryō, Warai-onago, Yokai

Most yokai originates from the Edo period. And, today’s yokai is no different. However, in contemporary urban legends, this female yokai as popular as teke-teke. In fact, the city occurences were so serious that it involved the japanese police. Undoubtedly, today’s yokai is kuchisake-onna and she gives you a big smile.


As legend goes, kuchisake-onna is a female onryō with a mutilated mouth. Her mouth was slit open from ear to ear. Usually, she hunts around town nightly and carries a sharp object. For example, a kitchen knife, a pair of scissors and, even, a razor blade. In days of old, she wields a tantō.

During the Edo period, kuchisake-onna wore a furisode and frequented the streets of yūkaku. Consequently, she used her long sleeves to hide her identity from the horny men. Sometimes, a fan or handkerchief was used instead. However, in contemporary times, kuchisake-onna hunts along quiet alleyways. The onryō wears a face mask to conceal her slit-mouth. Also, now, she preys on anyone. Certainly, she has evolved her methods. She became a more opportunistic predator.

Modus Operandi

Nonetheless, kuchisake-onna‘s method has not changed over the centuries. In fact, she stayed true to her vengeful nature. Firstly, kuchisake-onna roams the streets searching for prey. When she encounters one, the onryō appraoches her unsuspecting victim.

Then, with her mouth covered, kuchisake-onna asks her prey, “Watashi, kirei?” (“Am I pretty?”) If he/she answers no, the onryō draws her weapon and kills her victim immediately. However, if her prey says yes, kuchisake-onna advances to phase two.

Subsequently, she reveals her mutilated mouth to her prey. Then, kuchisake-onna repeats her question. “Kore demo?” (“Even now?”) If her victim replies no (or screams), she kills him/her instantly. If her prey answers yes, kuchisake-onna moves to phase three.

In this last phase, kuchisake-onna hugs her victim close and grins. Slowly, and deliberately, she removes her tool and slices her victim. Kuchisake-onna cuts him/her a fresh new mouth. One with a mutilated smile, just like her.

Survival Guide

First and foremost, avoid solitary woman in dark quiet streets. In this way, you also avoid other warai-onago yokai such as nure-onago and ohaguro-bettari. Of course, if you do have the “need” to chat up with these “beautiful” women, there are ways to escape the clutches of kuchisake-onna.

For instance, you may throw bekkoame or other forms of hard candy on the ground. Kuchisake-onna loves sweets. Escpecially caramalised hard candy. And they prefer these tributes to slicing your face up. Alternatively, some experts suggest throwing money. Especially, ¥500 coins. Although, these claims have yet to be substantiated. Good luck trying.

If you have none of these, or prefer to keep your money instead of your life, there are other exit strategies. These strategies revolve around providing an unconventional answer. For instance, instead of a ‘yes’ or ‘no’, answer “mā-mā…” (meaning “so-so”). Or even, “heikin teki na” (meaning “looks average/normal”). Such answers will leave kuchisake-onna confused. Therefore, you have enough time to take flight. But, of course, kuchisake-onna can still catch up and then she gives you a big smile.

InstagramIcon

Yokai Details

  • name: kuchisake-onna ( koo-chi-sah-kay-on-nah )
  • kanji: 口裂け女  (くちさけおんな)
  • meaning: slit-mouth woman
  • abilities:
    1. paralysis inducement — ability to partially immobilize others
    2. tracking evasion — hide from followers or pursuers
Sanjin, Yokai

Today, we discuss the yokai aburasumashi. He has distinctive stone-like features. Evidently, he is one of the more recognisable. However, little is known about this mysterious mountain yokai. Nonetheless, we will share our findings based on the stories from west Japan. Together we unveil the secrets of aburasumashi, the greasy oil flinger.


Undoubtedly, Mizuki Shigeru (水木しげる) popularised aburasumashi. He drew the yokai as an old man with a potato-like head. Aburasumashi wore a straw raincoat called mino (蓑) and wandered the moutain passes. Often, he held a walking stick in hand. Interestingly, Mizuki Shigeru mentioned that aburasumashi were once oil thieves. (Oil was an expensive commodity.) Upon death, these bandits were punished and cursed into aburasumashi.

Tales of Showa Period

However, there are earlier accounts of aburasumashi that date back to the early Showa period. In “Amakusa Island Folklore Journal” (天草島民俗誌), there is a story titled “Aburasumashi“. It said,

A grandmother and her grandson hiked along the Kusazumigoe mountain pass. As they walked, grandmother recalled, “Long ago, the oil bottle Sagetan used to come out here.” Immediately, a voice replied.”I still do!”

Again, “Yokai Discussions” (妖怪談義) tells a similar story, but different. Alternatively, the grandmother said, “An oil bottle drops here.” Nonetheless, you hear the same reply, “I still do!” Interestingly, in this compilation, the writer placed aburasumashi with other dropping yokai. For example, tsurube-otoshi, yakanzuru and sagari. As such, Kyōgoku Natsuhiko (京極 夏彦) suggested that these yokai have similar traits. And, aburasumashi is not an actual creature. Instead, it is a phenomena of falling oil bottles.

Conclusion

In fact, Aburasumashi is not either accounts, but both. He is the caretaker of mountain passes. He always reminds those who have forgotten about him. Of course, when he meets unbelievers, aburasumashi becomes more aggressive. For instance, he flings oil bottles at them. Such is the impish nature of aburasumashi, the greasy oil flinger.

InstagramIcon

Yokai Details

  • name: aburasumashi ( ah-buh-rah-soo-mah-she )
  • kanji: 油すまし (あぶらすまし)
  • meaning: oil cleanser
  • abilities:
    1. oil attack — release or secrete oil projectiles of various shapes

$15 Coupon for shopping at Ekster.com

Onryō, Yokai

Heikegani the Crabby Samurai Yokai

Many scholars assure that heikegani is just Heikeopsis japonica, also called samurai crab. A normal crab with a shell that happened to look like a face. However, there are yokai also called heikegani. They are similar to funayūrei in their grudge against the living. However, they are more targeted. They focus their vengeance on the descendants of the Genji clan. Such is the resolve of heikegani, the crabby avenger.


Heikegani scower the Kammon Straits (関門海峡) looking for revenge. They purposefully walk into fishermen’s nets. Eventually, these fishermen will make eye contact upon heikegani. The crab yokai stares the fishermen into a trance and looks for the Genji blood. When detected, heikegani pours out his grudge and scorn into soul of the fisherman.

Madness and insanity swell in the victims’s head. His limbs bend in awkward angles. His body twists into bizzarre forms. Consequently, heikegani pulls the fisherman into the sea. His screams and threshing attracts more heikegani. In the end, they drown the victim. And then, the heikegani slowly feed on the deceased.

War of Thrones Origin

During the Heian period, there was a power struggle between the imperial rulers of Japan. A struggle between House Taira (Heike clan) and House Minamoto (Genji clan). Henceforth, the civil war between the great houses is known as the Genpei War (源平合戦).

Eventually, in 1185AD, the war climaxed in a great sea battle called the Battle of Dan-no-ura (壇ノ浦の戦い). Although House Taira had the initial advantage of the morning tide, they lost the battle due to treachery. Because, a Taira general defected. Furthermore, he attacked the rear guard. As such, hundreds of Taira warriors and noblemen perished in the fight.

Legend says that these begrudging souls roam the traits ever since. Evidently, the most scornful of these samurai souls corrupt the local crabs. As such, their warrior scorn is forever etched onto the crab’s shell. Such is the origin of heikegani, the crabby avenger.

InstagramIcon

Yokai Details

  • name: heikegani ( hei-kay-gah-nee )
  • kanji: 平家蟹 (へいけがに)
  • meaning: crab of House Taira
  • abilities:
    1. detection — sense the presence of Genji clan
    2. corrupt manipulation — corrupts an individual into madness

$15 Coupon for shopping at Ekster.com

Yakubyōgami, Yokai

Yonaki-babā the Contagious Crying Carrier

Are there nights when you cried for no reason? No memories of sorrow. No feelings of grief. No stench of oninons. And yet you wailed puddles of tears all through the night. Certainly, this is the works of a yokai. One that makes others weep and cry. Undoubtedly, the yokai is yonaki-babā. She is the contagious crying carrier.


When you first meet yonaki-babā, you will think nothing of it. Because you see only a typical old woman weeping. Her hair is unruly and unkempt. She sits by the street wailing her heart out. The old woman cries out loud in front of a house, late at night.

But if you listen carefully, you hear the people in the house, also wailing. Furthermore, they do not know why they are crying out loud. These are the signs that you are in the presence of yonaki-babā. The yokai that makes everyone cry.

Repeat Offender

Typically, yonaki-babā are harmless. She usually cries for night and then moves away. Never to be seen again, ever. But there are tales of yonaki-babā returning night after night. As such, the whole household continues to be sad for weeks on end. This cause a lot of confusion and the inhabitants may become very depressed. Thus, eventually real sorrow enters the household. Which in turn affects their daily life and routine, forcing the family into ruins.

In fact, Koichi Yumoto (湯本豪一) groups yonaki-babā under a class of yokai that spreads misfortune. A malevolent group known as yakubyō gami (疫病神). Therefore, yonaki-babā is not only a contagious crying carrier. But she can also brings misfortune and ruin to households all around Japan.

Conclusion

So, when you are walking home late at night, be aware. Be careful of the lamenting old woman by the street. Especially one that is crying just outside your apartment. If you do see yonaki-babā near your place, better to stay away. Knowing why you cry is certainly better than crying for no reason.

InstagramIcon

Yokai Details

  • name: yonaki-babā ( yoh-nah-key-bah-baa )
  • kanji: 夜泣き婆 (よなきばばあ)
  • meaning: weeping hag of the night
  • abilities:
    1. crying inducement — able to make others weep or cry

Onryō, Suijin, Yokai

Funayūrei and their army of undead drowners

People of Japan have strong roots in its lands and the seas around it. As such, there are an abundance of yokai relaated to thesea. Some of them are benevolent, such as amabie. Alternatively, there are large monsters that cause seaquakes and tsunami,such as umibōzu. As for today, we are discussing the later. Yokai that is feared by all fishermen and seamen. One that known as funayūrei and their army of undead drowners.


Funayūrei are vengeful sea wraiths. They are the spirits of those who died at sea. Spirits who died at sea battles. Souls swallowed by huge waves and typhoons. As such, their numbers are in the millions. As many legends say, seeing funayūrei at sea is certain death. When you see one, others will follow.

Hunderd Ways to Die

These creatures of malevolence goal is to sink all ships they meet. And they may sink them in various ways. For example, funayūrei may ask for a bamboo ladle called hishaku (柄杓). And then fill the boat with sea water using the asked hishaku.

Alternatively, during heavy fogs, they may push the ships into cliffs or large rocks. In rare instances, funayūrei are large ghost ships that simply ram into unsuspecting seafarers. Not unlike the Flying Ducthman. No matter the method, one thing is for certain, funayūrei aim to increase their army of undead drowners.

Be Prepared

Nonetheless, these spiteful wraiths can be appeased. The simplest method is throwing onigiri into the sea. Alternatively, in Kōzushima, they throw dango, flowers and incense. Another common method is to prepare a bottomless hishaku so that it cannot carry water. But of course, this works only if they ask for one.

InstagramIcon

Yokai Details

  • name: funayūrei ( foo-nah-you-ray-ee )
  • kanji: 船幽霊 or 舟幽霊  (ふなゆうれい)
  • aka: akayashi (アヤカシ) in Saga & Yamguchi prefecture
  • meaning: boat spirit
  • abilities:
    1. incorporeal beings — cannot be touched or physically attacked
    2. calling — call forth other funayurei from anywhere
    3. mass manipulation — able to change its size and mass

Tsukumogami, Yokai

Chokuboron wanders aimlessly incognito.

Last weekend, I stayed home and watched the late night Japanese variety show. When drinking alone, I liked to set up half a dozen choko (saké cups) and fill them to the brim. Everytime I laughed, I chugged a cup and then overturned the choko. Once all the choko are empty, I reset and refilled the sake. I drank so much that I slept at the table. Later that night, I awoke to clattering. And then, I saw my upturned choko moving across the floor. Surely, I had seen a chokuboron. But it was going everywhere and nowhere. It just wandered everywhere aimlessly.


Chokuboron is a type of yokai known as tsukumogami. They evolved from 100-year old saké cups known as choko. Especially, those used as offerings to the dead. After evolution, chokuboron adopted a behaviour similar to the vagabond. As such, they wandered around like lost melancholic souls.

Appearance

Consequently, chokuboron is called as such because the looked like komusō (虚無僧), the travelling monks. Instead of a full face straw hat (tengai), the tsukumogami wears a choko on its head. Although fully covered, they are able to move around easily. Also, chokuboron play traditional bamboo flutes called shakuhachi. They play haunting songs that evoke fear. Melodies of nightmares.

But, unlike most yokai, chokuboron is a very small yokai. It is as tall as a typical coffee mug. Even then, they wore small monk attire and straw sandals. Interestingly, when you looked at them they moved ever so slowly and deliberately. But once you blinked, the chokuboron would have move a great distance whence you last saw it. Intriguing, but at the same time, terrifying.

Conclusion

As such, chokuboron are difficult to find. They treasure their vagabond spirit. They have been seen all across Japan, from a small bar at Kabuchiko to a shrine on Mount Asahi (旭岳). But none have been caught. All eyewitness accounts describe their erratic movements. Although, Chokuboron are inherently harmless, by all accounts. But, do they really wander everywhere aimlessly? Or are we too oblivious to understand?

InstagramIcon

Yokai Details

  • name: chokuboron ( cho-koo-boh-ron )
  • kanji: 船幽霊 (ちょくぼろん)
  • meaning: cup monk
  • abilities:
    1. unseen speed — when unobserved, it moves extremely fast
    2. death song — plays melody that relieve your death experiences