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.
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:
- incorporeal beings — cannot be touched or physically attacked
- calling — call forth other funayurei from anywhere
- mass manipulation — able to change its size and mass
