Month: August 2018

Others, Yokai

Dorotabo

Have you walked by muddy fields and felt the hairs on your neck stand on end? Do you recall seeing bubbles on the surface of the murky field and stood their waiting for a man to charge out of the waters? But eventually you moved on, reproaching yourself for being silly and superstitious. You, probably, never knew how fortunate you are to being alive. Lucky to have been ignored by dorotabo the mud yokai.

Dorotabo dwells in muddy rice paddies that have been abandoned by their owners for generations. It is commonly drawn as creature of living mud with a single eye staring out. Its three-flawed hands outstretched raking at its victim off screen.

While working in the rice fields, you may feel a tug at your ankles as you trudge through the muddy paddies. Many farmers claim that these are the tell-tale signs of the dorotabo. Such incidents are common and offerings should be made to appease the yokai and ask for the protection against the yokai.

Forgotten Tale

A man even claimed that he was pulled under while working one evening. Apparently, he was held down by an unknown force. Neighbours found him unconscious in his field. The next day, he quit farming, went to Tokyo and became a struggling manga writer.

Based on Toriyama Sekien’s works, the common consensus is that dorotabo is the previous owner of the paddy fields. He came back from the dead realms and laments “Return my paddy fields!” Although, some theorists claim that dorotabo is the muddy paddy itself. Revolting against its current owner for not taking good care of the fields.

Conclusion

Whoever, or whatever, the dorotabo is, one thing is for sure. Be respectful of the fields and land when visiting the countryside. Honour their long-standing traditions and culture, no matter how wierd. Also, do not take a shortcut across land and properties belonging to others, especially abandoned ones. You may never know, one could be lying in wait for his next victim.

InstagramIcon

Yokai Details

  • name: dorotabo (doh-roh-tah-boh)
  • kanji: 泥田坊 (どろたぼう)
  • meaning: mudman
  • abilities:
    1. mud form — able to shapeshift into any humanoid form
    2. mass alteration — change its mass and size based on mud availability
    3. earthwalk — able to move underground through the earth
Sanjin, Yokai

Yamabiko

To this day, I am conflicted about today’s yokai. I mean, as a small kawaii critter, it looks like a dog-monkey pokémon. I have always seen it in Toriyama Sekien’s illustrated series and it is as cute as a new-born puppy. On the other hand, there are accounts of experienced hikers who claim that they got terribly lost in the mountainous forests because of the yokai. These accounts make me hope and pray to never encounter the yamabiko.

The yamabiko is a sound-type yokai that will repeat anyone or anything it has heard before. Even though the name is written as ‘mountain boy’, the way its read or pronounced means ‘echo’. The yokai is able to echo any sound, even after prolonged periods of time.

Those who were lost in the forests claim to hear whispers of their doppelgänger voices echoing their words, mocking them constantly. These disembodied whispers seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. One of them even heard a child singing an old fold songs.

Forgotten Tale

An old monk claimed to have found himself lost in the misty morning when he was younger. Hours later, he heard the sound of a running brook and decided to follow it. But instead of reaching a stream, he was standing in the middle of a thick, withered bamboo forest.

Recalling his grandmother’s yokai stories, he realised that it was the call of the yamabiko. The young man immediately turned away from the gushing sound and walked while chanted a mantra aloud. Minutes later the sound stopped and he found himself on a hunter’s trail.

Such are the stories of those rescued, but what of those who weren’t. How many lives have the yamabiko claimed? We will never know.

InstagramIcon

Yokai Details

  • name: yamabiko (yah-mah-bee-koh)
  • kanji: 山彦 (やまびこ)
  • meaning: echo of the mountains
  • abilities:
    1. sound mimicry — able to replicate any sound, projected from any source
    2. sound dampening — remove sound from an area
Tsukumogami, Yokai

Karakasa-obake

When I started working on this blog, I knew that I have to include this umbrella yokai. This creature is synonymous to Japanese yokai and culture. But strangely enough, there is no mention of this creature in any literature or oral history. It seems like the kasa-obake just mysteriously appear into Japanese consciousness, out of the blue.

Kasa-obake is one of the many names that this yokai is called but it looks the same in its various interpretations. This yokai is, usually, depicted as an umbrella hopping around on a single leg. Its solitary unblinking eye staring endlessly with a tongue sticking out at the ready to lick someone… anyone.

Period illustrated works typically portray the kasa-obake together with an assortment of yokai.  The umbrella yokai is also found in kabuki plays performed with exaggerated jumping motions and outlandish costumes.

There are a few images that depicts the kasa-obake with two short legs, instead of one. In my opinion, this two-legged version should belong to another species, probably the karakasa-kozo. Nonetheless, the general populace places all under the same umbrella (no pun intended).

Tsukumogami or Not

As there is no literature about the kasa-obake, whether it is a type of tsukumogami, or not, is up for discussion. Although, many enthusiast would argue that the yokai evolved from a traditional paper umbrella on its hundredth birthday. And depending on how it was cared for, it can become the mischevious kasa-obake or the menacing hone-karakasa. Nonetheless, if you desperately need an umbrella, it is better to run in the heavy rain than risk a yokai in your hands.

InstagramIcon

Yokai Details

  • name: kasa-obake (kah-sah-oh-bah-keh)
  • kanji: 傘おばけ (かさおばけ)
  • meaning: umbrella changeling
  • aka:
    • karakasa-obake (唐傘おばけ)
    • kasabake (傘化け)
    • bakegasa (化け傘)
  • abilities:
    1. limited flight — able to fly with the slightest breeze
    2. panic attack — causes unreasonable anxiety  by licking
Suijin, Yokai

Ningyo

You may have heard of the legend of a Buddhist priestess, of Wakasa province, that lived to 800 years. Interestingly enough, Yao Bikuni (八百比丘尼) did not gain longevity through mantra meditation or a healthy vegetarian diet. Instead, the reason for her prolonged life is because she ate the flesh of a yokai known as ningyo.

The ningyo is a sea yokai that is similar to the mermaids of the world. It has a fish tail as the bottom half and a human as the top. The ningyo is described as having golden shimmering scales and speaks with a soft melodious voice. But, unlike its alluring European counterpart, the Japanese mermaid has monkey-like mouth filled with needle sharp teeth.

Eternal Life

Ancient documents state that, eating the flesh of a ningyo will grant you longevity. The meat are described as having a pleasant taste with no fishy smell. Despite that, to catch a ningyo, intentionally or otherwise, is to bring misfortune to your family. Some records also claim that a ningyo found beached on shore is an omen of natural calamities such as tidal waves, earthquakes and/or typhoons.

The Wakasa legend tells of a man who returned from the mythical land of Hōrai with a special gift. His eldest daughter ate the souvenir which was the meat of a ningyo. Decades past and yet, the girl remained youthful. Eventually, she decided to become a priestess and traveled the nation, spreading the good word.

At the age of 800, Yao Bikuni (八百比丘尼) returned to Wakasa Obama. She entered a cave near the Yakui-mon gate of Kuin-ji Temple, and never left. Many assumed she has peacefully passed away, while few still believed that she is alive and continue to meditate within til this day.

InstagramIcon

Yokai Details

  • name: ningyo (neen-gee-yoh)
  • kanji: 人魚 (にんぎょ)
  • meaning: human fish or mermaid
  • abilities:
    • longevity — consuming its flesh prolongs ones natural lifespan
    • hex — ability curse its captor with misfortune
Mamono, Yokai

Waira

In my travels. I’ve come across some mysterious creatures that people have not heard of or encountered before. These obscure creatures are usually of local lore and, unexpectedly, not known beyond its regional borders. The reclusive yokai that I am going to share though, is mention by the illustrious Toriyama Sekien (鳥山 石燕) and yet there are very little literature about it. Today’s obscure yokai is the Waira.

It is depicted as a cow-like creature that creeps around the forest floor, using its single-clawed limbs. An old man claims that  to have encountered the hideous Waira when he was much younger. The yokai was feasting on some forest moles by a hidden pond. He describes it as mossy green with lumpy warts.

There are chroniclers of ancient tales that documented the male waira is mottled earthly brown while the female gender is dark red in colour. These records of sexual dimorphism in waira cannot be verified because, as we know, in nature, the male gender usually has a flashier plumage and/or hue.

Earthly Protectors

Some stories suggest that waira are virtue guardians of the mountain temples. They crawl on their bellies keeping an eye out for the wicked hearted. Their thick sharpened claws ready to slice the vile and maintain the purity of the temple grounds.

Truth be told, none of the accounts above, and its origins, can be verified. The only thing we can be certain is that Toriyama Sekien has included the waira in his Gazu Hyakki Yagyō which means that it exists. Any legends or stories related to the waira is now as obscure as the yokai itself.

InstagramIcon

Yokai Details

  • name: waira (wah-ee-rah)
  • kanji: わいら
  • meaning: deformation of the word meaning fear
  • abilities:
    1. fear projection — cause fear and/or terror on an individual
Mononoke, Oni, Yokai

Hashihime

Once, in a clear sunny day, as I approached a major bridge to cross it, I saw a couple halfway across coming towards me. Then suddenly, the man was blown off the bridge and the woman vanished. My thoughts raced, “Where’s the yokai? What’s the yokai? Should I still cross the bridge for work?” Being a workaholic, I turnaround and work from home instead. Tasking myself to find the mysterious yokai of the bridge.

Hashihime, meaning lady of the bridge, is one of the most bipolar yokai you are likely to encounter. She loves you for using her bridge but the moment you mention a better bridge, hell has no fury as her scorn. Unlike the bridge trolls of the West, Hashihime is usually seen as a ravishing lady to the men and a handsome dude to the women.

Forgotten Tale

An old tale tells of a now-forgotten trading village that was linked to the Tōkaidō road by a long and sturdy bridge. Through the years, the village had tolerated multiple small bandit raids and their vile atrocities. But an accidental death of a bandit has brought the leader to their door step. The bandit king vowed revenge led his rouge of bandits towards the village but stopped at the end of the bridge.

A woman was standing before the bandit king totally exposed with her wild hair flying in the non-existent winds. As he rose his sword to strike the naked woman, she burst into a flaming oni, burning the bandit king to crisp. The fiery oni, then, charged forward, setting the whole line of bandits and the bridge ablaze. The villagers were eternally grateful to the Hashihime but did not rebuild the bridge, in dread of her.

Hidden Shrine

In Kyoto, there is a shrine dedicated to Hashihime, the guardian deity of Uji Bridge. The original shrine was located in the west bank but was washed away by floods of 1870. Legend has it that a lady of the courts prayed to the Kami of Kifune to make her a living oni that has powers as great as her bitter jealousy.  After 7 days of continual devotions at Kifune-jinja, her prayers were answered. She were told to perform a sacred ceremony in the Kawase River at Uji.

The noble lady returned to the capital city where she twisted her hair into five horns and painted herself bloody red. She then lit five torches, three on an iron trivet on her head and two clenched between her teeth. Once her preparations complete, she ran down the street to Kawase River paralyzing  many onlookers and scaring others to death.

Oni Transformation

She dived into the rivers and stayed submerged fueled with rage and jealousy. After 21 days, the courtly lady emerged, transformed into the dreaded Hashihime. As a living oni, she took revenge on all who she envied and anyone else related to them. Her rage continue afterwards, as she slayed many that crosses the Uji Bridge.

Eventually a shrine was built to placate the Hashihime of Uji Bridge. In modern times, there are less deaths on the bridge and visitors to the shrine has more benign requests. Prayers such as to forget an old flame or cut off ties of your complicated relationships. Hashihime is really good at burning one’s bridges.

InstagramIcon

Yokai Details

  • name: Hashihime (hah-shi-hee-meh)
  • kanji: 橋姫 (はしひめ)
  • meaning: maiden of the bridge
  • abilities:
    1. paralysis — ability to knock anyone unconscious
    2. oni transformation — transform into a fiery demonic form
    3. fire manipulation — limited control over fire
Travels

Gotofuji01

Today, the 8th of Aug 2018 (18-8-8), is a great opportunity for good luck, or good opportunity for great luck, whichever is better for you. The number 8 is considered a lucky number in Japan because of its kanji 八 that gradually widens with increasing in prosperity. In ancient feudal times, it is even considered a holy number. As such, today I’ll share on how to find your lady luck or, in this case, yokai luck.

Continue Reading

Tsukumogami, Yokai

Boroboroton

Normally, a futon mattress is not a bother, especially one that’s tattered. Boroboroton, on the other hand, is a sentient futon that will suffocate you while you dream away your last sleep. Some feudal tales of bandits hiding in abandoned houses with scenes of worn-out futons constricting the bandits’ corpses. Their uncanny deaths are definitely the boroboroton‘s doing.

This yokai belongs to a group of spirited objects, usually household items, known as tsukumogami. A futon mattress or bedding coverlet  become imbued with life after decades of abandonment. It evolves into boroboroton, with traits of extreme loneliness and desolation.

Forgotten Tales

I’ve read a story about a Kyoto woman crying night after night because her husband left her for a richer mistress. Her sorrow and misery continue nightly until she died in her sleep on the 99th night. The futon she slept on, instantaneously turned into a boroboroton and disappeared. Her husband and his mistress were found dead the next day, under mysterious consequences and under a futon mattress! Coincidence? Unlikely.

Some believe that the boroboroton hungers for the human touch. Its desperate desire to hold a human is the final embrace that constricts a man, woman, or both, to death.  So if you go on your forest hikes in Japan, remember a granny’s saying “If you have to take shelter in an deserted house, sleep only on the floor and in the corner”.

InstagramIcon

Yokai Details

  • name: boroboroton (boh-roh-boh-roh-ton)
  • kanji: 暮露暮露団  (ぼろぼろとん)
  • meaning: tattered futon
  • abilities:
    1. levitation — silently float across any surface
    2. mental sedation — make others feel comfortable & sleepy