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.
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:
- oil attack — release or secrete oil projectiles of various shapes
