Bōzu

Meaning small boys. It is a class that includes yokai with a boy-like form.

Bōzu, Yokai

Boy in gaudy kimono offering a one-eyed tofu.

Just like the human world, the realm of yokai have a status hierarchy system. The strong and powerful sits at the top of the food chain. Of course, these yokai are able to cause misery and chaos nationwide. For example, the legendary Yamata-no-Orochi who can bring earthquakes and floods on a whim. On the other hand, there are low-class yokai at the very bottom of the pyramid. They serve and attends to other yokai. Moreover, some are also subservient to humans. Today, we study one of these feeble yokai. We present to you tōfukozō the original vegan of Edo.

Tōfukozō is well-known all across Japan. Although, they may not be as popular as kappa and tanuki. But, tōfukozō is the definitely the most well-liked yokai. They are mild-mannered and gracious to the humans they meet. In fact, they are frequently featured in kaidan story compilations and kibyōshi picture books of the Edo period.

Appearance

Tōfukozō is often depicted as a yound boy carrying a plate of tofu. A yokai boy who brings protein rich food to their masters. Also, he wears gaudy clothes printed with auspicious patterns. As such, encounters with tōfukozō bring good luck and ward diseases away.

Interestingly, tōfukozō delivers a unique tofu known momiji-dofu. It is a specialty of Sakai City (堺市), Izumi province. The tofu has the autumn maple leaf imprinted on it. Evidently, the tofu brings good health and luck for those who eat them.

Although tōfukozō are often seen human-like, some have depicted them with monster features. For example, some have one large eye instead of the usual, and more comforting, two. Sometimes, tōfukozō walk bare-footed with two-clawed feet. Nonetheless, they always carry their precious tofu and offering them to strangers. Tōfukozō is the original vegan of Edo.

Conclusion

Although tōfukozō is depicted as a servant-type yokai, little else is known. Legends say that the momiji-dofu regenegates one’s health and spiritual enegery. In contrast, some believe that the tofu was once human. Now cursed to be fed to tōfukozō‘s master. While others surmised, it was a ploy to promote eating tofu when meat proteins were scarce. Whatever it maybe, we may never know. But if you do happen to meet tōfukozō, accept their tofu graciously. Share your food. Or else, you will be cursed into a tofu!

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Yokai Details

  • name: tōfukozō ( toh-foo-koh-zoh )
  • kanji: 豆腐小僧 (とうふこぞう)
  • meaning: tofu boy
  • abilities:
    1. tofu manipulation — able to create, shape and manipulate any type of tofu
    2. tofu animation — power to bestow some sentience to tofu

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Bōzu, Yokai

Amefurikozo

You may wonder why it suddenly rains on a clear, cloudless day. You are having so much fun playing soccer and it abruptly pours abruptly forcing you to end game. The next time there is an unexpected shower, look to the trees and you may see the mischievous yokai, laughing and giggling away.

Amefuri-kozo is a naughty yokai who enjoys to rain on other people’s parade, literally. He delights in the grief of others. He is usually illustrated as a boy with an over-sized paper umbrella on his head. His free hands are sometimes seen carrying a paper lantern or casting a rain spell.

Legend has it that Amefuri-kozo works for Ushi, the god of rain, as child servant. This could mean that the yokai is part of an ethereal organization that manages the weather, and Amerfuri-kozo‘s role may be to regulate rainfall over small and remote regions. This yokai has a rain ability that may be an extension of the rain deity, Ushi. Although some yokai enthusiasts suggest that the ability to bring rain could be a spell that can be taught. A very useful spell to learn, especially during dry spells and drought.

Forgotten Tale

A certain chieftain of a hidden village shared a tale, that he heard from his grand-uncle’s friend, about an old man who walks around the village with a paper umbrella hat on his head. Apparently, when he was young farmer, he caught an Amefuri-kozo, stole his umbrella hat and wore it. Ever since then, he cannot remove it. Not even with the help with the other villagers. Only upon his death, did the umbrella hat fall off.  As such, if you see an umbrella lying around Japan, do not pick up to use it. Once you use the wrong umbrella over your head, you may not remove it again.

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Yokai Details

  • name: amefuri-kozo (ah-meh-foo-ree-koh-zoh)
  • kanji: 雨降小僧 (あめふりこぞう)
  • meaning: priest boy of rain
  • abilities:
    1. limited weather control — ability to make it rain at will
    2. waterproof — able to keep dry even under direct water

Bōzu, Yokai

Aobozu

When I was young, I was always taught to be reverent to priests and monks. But at the same time, I was told many stories about monk-like yokai who menaces the country side, preying on the good. Today we will discuss about, one such yokai who is well known for his blue-green skin.

In the past, travelling monks are commonly seen moving from one village to another providing various services. These include blessing rituals, purification ceremonies and healing aids. Aobozu is a perversion of these holy nomadic monks. A yokai who boasts about his priestly knowledge but, in reality, knows next to nothing.

Perverse Monks

The most obvious corruption of the wayfaring monks is the Aobozu‘s blue-green skin. Although many tales claim that it is obviously blue in colour, some stories dictate the yokai having a green hue. Which could indicate that there is the high possibility of multiple subspecies in different prefectures. The common feature across Japan is its one cyclopean eye. This is commonly seen in many drawings where the Aobozu is staring relentlessly, hypnotizing the audience.

Another common trait is his modus operandi. The Aobozu targets remote houses of old folks and approaches them after sunset, usually rainy nights, concealing his colour in the dark. The generous country folk will invite the yokai in and provide him shelter from the elements, and sometimes food for the night.

This cordial interaction is harmless, unless one ask the yokai for temple services in trade. Such requests could be disastrous as the Aobozu knows very little in the ways of the temple. If you are lucky, it would be a simple, but futile, prayer. If not, the Aobozu  will provide bogus overzealous ritual that lasts through the night and may, accidentally, burn your house down with its incense burners.

Modern Times

These days, Aobozu is a rare yokai to encounter, especially in the city. The bright fluorescent lights not only exposes their obvious blue hue, but hurts its only eye. In recent years, I have not heard, or read, about any Aobozu tales. Even though they may be extinct, one can not help but wonder how the Aobozu comes about.

Some believe that when a man abandoned his priesthood and lived a carnal life, he is reborn as an Aobozu. Others presumed that it evolved from a yokai who tried to learn the ways of the priest but to lazy to practice. Nonetheless, to invite an Aobozu into your home, is to invite misfortune.

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Yokai Details

  • name: aobozu (ah-oh-boh-zoo)
  • kanji: 青坊主 (あおぼうず)
  • meaning: blue priest
  • abilities:
    1. telepathic suggestion — able to instill thoughts and ideas into minds of others