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.
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:
- prehensile tongue — use tongue to grab and manipulate objects
- disease immunity — immune to diseases caused by bacteria, virus and parasites
