Henge, Yokai

Shirime, Nothing Butt an Eye

Japan has countless stories with weird and peculiar yokai. But, nothing is stranger in its simplicity than this one. Shirime is nothing butt an eye (puns intended). This faceless yokai is made famous by the creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro, Mizuki Shigeru (水木 しげる).

As the legend goes, a samurai was returning late one night. Suddenly, a man wearing a kimono blocked the warrior’s path. Alerted, the fearless samurai shouted at the strange man. “What do you want?”

Unexpectedly, the silent man stripped off his kimono and bent over. Delberately, he raised his butt towards the samurai. Then, a huge eyeball peeped out of the anus. From that same rear, a bizarre light radiated. Horrified, the samurai screamed and fled in fright.

Only Known Source

Shirime is only mentioned in one ancient source, “Buson’s Yokai Picture Scroll” (蕪村妖怪絵巻). Yosa Buson (与謝蕪村), painted the yokai with a brief description “the bald nopperabo of Kyoto’s Katabiragatsuji”. In turn, this ties to the illustrated Katabiragatsuji (帷子辻) in Ehon Hyaku Monogatari (絵本百物語) by Tosanjin Yawa.

Based on this source, many experts believe that shirime is a form of nopperabo, the faceless yokai. On the other hand, they could be shape-changing creatures such as the mujina, kitsune or tanuki. All of which loves to play mischievous pranks on the locals, as much as kijimuna. Nonetheless, shirime is nothing butt an eye.

Final thoughts

Personally, shirime deserves to be in a class of its own. From his voyeuristic nature to his cheeky behaviour (more puns intended), he is one to behold. Shirime is a testament to Japan’s affinity to the weird and bizarre. Although, if you do travel to Kyoto, keep an eye out for it (last one, I promise).

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Yokai Details

  • name: shirime ( she-ree-meh )
  • kanji: 尻目 ( しりめ )
  • meaning: buttocks’ eye
  • abilities:
    1. light generation — create photons of light
    2. fear projection — cause fear and/or terror on an individual
Suijin, Yokai

Three legged mermaid rising from the water.

It is March 2020 and a global pandemic is declared. The number of Covid-19 (Coronavirus Disease) cases have reached 0.2 million. Additionally, the Japanese government is doing everything it can to curb the outbreak across Japan. Interestingly, the popularity of a healing yokai is also on the rise. Draw Amabie. Share it on social media. Fight and beat the Coronavirus disease.

Origin of Amabie

While the ningyo is popular in Japanese culture, Amabie is hidden in the annals of an Edo-period newspaper. The story begins with an object glowing red off the coast of Higo Province (Kumamoto Prefecture). After many nights of the eerie glow, a town official finally decided to investigate on boat. Suddenly, the scaly yokai appeared out of the waves and approached him. The creature identified itself as Amabie and said,

Good harvest will continue for six years from the current year; if disease spreads, show a picture of me to those who fall ill and they will be cured.

Nagano, Eishun (長野栄俊) (2005), “Yogenjū amabiko—amabiko wo tegakari ni” 予言獣アマビコ考—「海彦」をてがかりに, Jakuetsu Kyōdoshi Kenkyū (若越郷土研究), 49 (2): 1–30, archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-16, retrieved 2016-06-29

Subsequently, Amabie returned to the sea. The official rushed back to shore and shared his tale. The story was printed and spread on kawaraban.

Wood-block print of Amabie

Appearance

Accordingly, town official created a sketch to describe Amabie. The “mermaid” has long hair and is scaly from neck down. Additionally, the suijin is three-legged and has a bird’s bill. Although the description is brief, it is enough to spark interest in many artist to draw the fortune-telling yokai.

Sharing is Caring

Recently, there are thousands of interpretations of Amabie on social media. And the number is still growing. In fact, it is important to draw Amabie in our pandemic times. We have to share the legend. Join us in the fight against Coronavirus disease. Please, spread the image of Amabie as a reminder to wash your hands thoroughly. Also, remember social distancing.

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Yokai Details

  • name: amabie ( ah-mah-bee-eh )
  • kanji: アマビエ
  • meaning: none
  • abilities:
    1. precognition — able to see the future
    2. disease nullification — stop any disease from spreading
Kaibyo, Mamono, Yokai

Kasha floating in flames

Today is Friday the thirteenth. A day of misfortune and tragedy. In a time when the pandemic Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spreads rampant across the world. Similarly, today’s yokai, Kasha, infects Japanese people with fear and terror. It is the ultimate corpse thief. The demonic cat that robs funerals and bring the dead to hell.

Ancient oral tales, about hellish kasha, are passed down over many generations. Stories all across Japan tell of the feline yokai appearing suddenly with lightning and rain. And yet, it is engulfed by infernal flames. Pouncing from the sky, snatching up the sinful dead and returning to the nether side of hell.

Changing Forms

Interestingly enough, these stories does not really describe the kasha in great detail. Early Japan artists depict it as a great red oni pulling a fiery cart full of corpses. This illustration reminds me of wanyudo, aka the Soultaker, also an infernal being that terrorises the residents of Kyoto.

But more commonly, kasha is identified as a hellish yokai with cat-like features. A supernatural kaibyo who carries a rotting corpse across the roof tops. This is striking similar to nekomata, a ferocious feline yokai that have an affinity to the dying and the dead. In fact, some experts believe kasha is an evolved form of nekomata.

Also the Graverobber

When dark ominous clouds appear during a funeral procession, a kasha is bound to strike at the corpse of the wicked man. Together with fearsome winds, the great feline pounces at the coffin. Then it drags out the sinful dead and steals it away. Some tales, describe the kasha desecrating the corpse by tearing it into many pieces. Then it scatters the limbs all over the region, among tall trees, jagged rocks and cliff edges.

Alternatively, there are eye-witness accounts of the feline yokai digging into the grave of the sinful. It abducts the dead body and crushes the skull and bones without mercy. As such some graverobber activities are attributed to the kasha, especially those with missing corpses.

Rituals and Protection

Nonetheless, the dead can be protected from these infernal creatures. A venerable monk could say a holy prayer or sign his protective seal on the coffin. Additionally, at desperate times, he can throw his onenju (念珠) at the coffin providing an extra barrier against the kasha.

If there are no monks or rosaries nearby, just run away flinging your hands around animatedly. So that, the kasha do not mistake you for the dead corpse. Better the dead wicked man than you.

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Yokai Details

  • name: kasha ( kah-sha )
  • kanji: 火車 ( かしゃ )
  • meaning: fire cart
  • abilities:
    1. pyrokinesis — generate extreme heat and produce fire
    2. weather control — incite dark storms and strong wind
    3. flight — ability to fly (via weather control)
Josei, Mamono, Yokai

Jorogumo With Her Big Butt

Do you remember that girlfriend who wants to go wherever you go? Or one who wants to do all the things you are doing? Or maybe, you have met the clingy girl who binds herself to her partner’s hand and shoulder. Well, none of these girls can compare to today’s yokai, Jorogumo. This female arachnid from hell will have you for dinner (as in, you are dinner).

Notably, there are many different arachnid yokai such as the Ushi-oni & Tsuhigumo. But, none of them are as prevalent in game & pop culture as Jorogumo. Stories about these shape-shifting female yokai have been passed down orally in ancient Japanese folklore for centuries. In fact some are written about in Edo perido writings, such as Taihei-Hyaku Monogatari (太平百物語) and Tonoigusa (宿直草).

Toriyama Sekien’s Depiction

Interestingly, in Toriyama Sekien‘s Gazu Hyakki Yagyō, in the entry about Jorogumo (絡新婦) the name is written as “entangling bride”. On the other hand, the content page has the common characters (女郎ぐも) which roughly reads as “whore spider”. Experts say that this is a play of words of kanji pronunciation known as jukujikun (熟字訓). Personally, I believe that the difference alludes to the yokai’s ability to shape shift from spider to woman and somewhere in between.

As seen in the entry of Jorogumo, the yokai is drawn as a humanoid arachnid dressed in a kimono of spiderwebs. She is depicted standing on a sakura tree casting lines of spider silk into the wind. At the end of each web-line is a spiderling that is, seemingly, breathing out vapours of fire or venom.

Legends & Folklore

The Japanese folklore about Jorogumo shows that she usually live at or near waterfalls. The yokai would prey on the creatures that stop by the waterfall basin to drink or simply rest by it. Once her prey’s defenses are down, Jorogumo would cast her web and pull her victim into the falls. In fact, her spider silk is strong enough to pull a resisting wild boar into her lair easily.

However, there are also stories of Jorogumo seducing young men to their death in the falls. Firstly, the spider yokai will transform into an attractive woman dressed in seductive kimono within view of the victim. Next, she secretes sensual pheromones and draws out the lecherous desires of men. When the horny young man is within range, she casts her sticky spider thread. Once bound, Jorogumo easily draws her recently caught meal into the waterfall to dine on later (or even, feed her baby spiderlings).

Modern Accounts

Recently, there are hardly any new stories on or about Jorogumo. Most contemporary accounts are fictional depictions seen in manga, anime and games such as Nioh and Yo-kai Watch. Many speculate that the number of Jorogumo has drastically reduce due to modernisation and deforestation. As such, the number of waterfall-related deaths has also dropped.

However, some experts believe that there are caches of Jorogumo egg sacs hidden behind large waterfalls. All of them waiting for the opportune time to hatch and infest the world.

Nonetheless, be careful when you decide to swim in the rivers and water basin this summer. If you meet a beautiful lady in sexy bikini with spider prints by the waterfall remember the Jorogumo. She will be the clingy girlfriend from hell. You have been warned!

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Yokai Details

  • name: jorōgumo ( joh-row-goo-moh )
  • kanji: 絡新婦 ( じょろうぐも )
  • meaning: entangling bride
  • abilities:
    1. web producer — generate spider silk for hunting & mating
    2. metamorph — able to shape-shift from spider to woman, partially or wholly
    3. pheromone manipulation — secretes pheromones to induce attraction and pleasure
Oni, Yokai

Shuten-doji Carrying an Sake Gourd

Northwest of Kyoto, there is a mountain called Mount Ōe (大江山) that holds an oni lair. An ancient lair that was owned by the notorious oni king called Shuten-dōji. Without a doubt, he is one of the three most feared yokai of ancient Kansai region, including Tamamo-no-Mae (玉藻前) and Ōtakemaru (大嶽丸). Shuten-dōji is the original oyabun that terrorized the people of Kyoto with his dreaded gang of oni.

As it was written in the narrative Ōeyama Ekotoba (大江山絵詞), Shuten-dōji continually raided the northern region of Kyoto. Incessantly, the oni king and his gang looted and plundered the province in a drunken fury. Moreover, Shuten-dōji kidnapped young women and forced them to serve as his private maidservants. Those who refused were eaten and their blood were drunk with sake.

Over the years, Shuten-dōji‘s notoriety attracted hundreds of oni from across Japan. Moreover, his top lieutenants were fearfully called the “Four Divine Kings”. Their names were Hoshikuma-dōji, Kuma-dōji, Torakuma-dōji, and Kane-dōji. Furthermore, Shuten-dōji has a favourite underling, Ibaraki-dōji. who was menacing in his own right. Because of the immense power and influence of Shuten-dōji, he threatens the reigning Emperor of Japan.

Ibukiyama Version

Alternatively, in the Mt. Ibuki (伊吹山) legend, Shuten-dōji was born to the great serpent Yamata no Orochi (八岐大蛇). Although he went through monk training at Mt. Hiei, Shuten-dōji continued to drink heavily. Consequently, he got intoxicated during a religious festival. Moreover, he played a prank on his fellow acolytes by wearing an oni mask to frighten them. Consequently, at the end of the night, the mask has melded to Shuten-dōji‘s face.

Because he was unable to remove the oni mask, Shuten-dōji fled to forests of Mt. Ibuki. Initially regretful, he turned wicked. As such, he began his life as a true oni. Shuten-dōji terrorized the people of Kyoto and formed a gang of oni. Afterwards, he built his fortress high up in the mountains. Interestingly, in this Ibukiyama version, Shuten-dōji‘s honji (本地), “true nature”, was identified to be Dairokuten no Maō (第六天の魔王) the evil king of the Sixth Heaven, the archenemy of Buddha.

Downfall of the Oni King

Finally, Emperor Ichijō commanded his mightiest samurai to subdue the oni king Shuten-dōji. Immediately, the supernatural warriors travelled to Mt. Ibuki disguised as yamabushi priests. After discovering the hideout, they requested an audience with Shuten-dōji. As such, the oni king had a grand reception for his guests. Covertly, the disguised warriors offered Shuten-dōji with an enchanted sake. Eventually, after countless drinks later, the notorious oni fell asleep. At this moment, the inhuman samurai, Minamoto no Raikō, chopped off Shuten-dōji‘s head with Dōjigiri (童子切), the legendary sword.

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Yokai Details

  • name: shuten-doji (sho-ten-doe-jee)
  • kanji:  酒呑童子 ( しゅてんどうじ )
  • alternative spelling: 酒顛童子, 酒天童子, 朱点童子
  • meaning: sake drinking child
  • abilities:
    1. supernatural strength — massive power cut a person in half
    2. inhuman stamina — fight non-stop for days without tiring
    3. muscle armour — use incredible dense muscle as protection
    4. oni transformation — transform into a 50ft tall oni with a head of 5 horns and 15 eyes
Tengu, Yokai

Kotengu

Tengu is an iconic creature in Japanese culture and religion. These yokai come in various shape and form. Some are daemonic creatures that wreck havoc and destroy villages. Some are powerful guardians of the great mountains and vast forests. The yokai of the day is kotengu a lesser type of tengu . These avian creatures are the ultimate hoarder of forgotten and magical artifacts.

Unlike the other tengu cousins, kotengu resemble more like a large bird than humanoid. They have a beak instead of mouth and nose and crow talons instead of feet. Even though kotengu are wild-like yokai, they are often seen in yamabushi attire. These mountain ascetic hermits, probably, presented the monk clothes to the yokai themselves.

Hoarders of the Forest

Kotengu fly around the forest mountains looking for abandoned shiny objects. These avian yokai are voracious hoarders, always looking for shiny items. They will snatch it from the living or the dead. As such, yokai folklorists believe that they have have large stashes of valuable and forgotten artifacts in their roosts. These covetous kotengu will never trade their loot with anyone.

Nonetheless, there are many stories of smart men who have successfully tricked the kotengu into trading magical artifacts for useless trinkets. Conversely, there are much more accounts of failures. Kotengu‘s punishments include hog-tying the deceiver up the highest tree in the forest. A position where all can hear his scream but none are able to help him. Another known account tells kotengu forcing the cheaters to eat their own excrement until they go insane.

Endangered Species

However, the number of kotengu sightings have decreased dramatically over the decades. Nobody really know why that is so. Some folklorists, speculate that the kotengu migrated deeper into the forests because of global warming. Some believe that the kotengu has been hunted down by the more divine tengu that protects the mountains. Nonetheless, stay safe when travelling in the mountainous forests. Avoid any suspicious avian monks. Unless, of course, you want the artifact that monk is holding on to.

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Yokai Details

  • name: kotengu (koh-ten-goo)
  • kanji: 小天狗 ( こてんぐ )
  • meaning: lesser tengu
  • abilities:
    1. flight — use wings to fly in high speed
    2. keen sense — able to sense valuable objects within range
Tsukumogami, Yokai

When you visit a Japanese Buddhist temple, you will notice the large circular bell found at front eaves. After your prayers, you ring the open-lipped bell which are colloquially known as waniguchi. But unbeknownst to many, that sacred instrument can evolve into a yokai of the same name. A crocodilian-like creature that feeds on the prayers of the devout.

Waniguchi is one of the rarest yokai and there are very little information about this tsukumogami. Why? Because prayer instruments are very rarely abandoned. In fact, they are always devoutly and respectfully removed. Nonetheless, in centuries past, temples and shrines were abandoned due to war and plagues. Consequently, the dilapidated bell falls to the ground and rusts away. Eventually, it transforms into a waniguchi and scuttles around the deserted temple compound.

Furthermore, it is important to remember that waniguchi, as a prayer bell, has listened to all the prayers of the devout. As such, it desperately yearns to hear these devout prayers. As a tsukumogami, waniguchi feeds on these emotional pleas for sustenance.

Conclusion

Interestingly, most Edo-period illustrations depicts waniguchi as a four-legged creature with blue-green scaly skins. The yokai retains the prayer bell as a head with a crocodilian smile. But truth be told, nobody really knows. So if you hear a prayer bell ring after your prayers at home, try to sneak a peek and see if the Edo illustrators are right.

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Yokai Details

  • name: waniguchi (wah-nee-goo-chee)
  • kanji: 鰐口 ( わにぐち )
  • meaning: literally crocodile mouth
  • abilities:
    1. sonic wave — generate powerful pressured sound attack
    2. sonar detection — use sound to identify the wicked hearted
Kaiju, Mamono, Yokai

Ushi-oni (牛鬼) climbs down his web

In Western Japan, there are many tales and fables about bovine-headed yokai. It is a ferocious creature that has typical features of an oni such as large horns, long fangs and slithering tongues. Infamously known as ushi-oni, the daemonic creature rampages through villages during the pre-Edo period. It terrorizes the country folk, attacks feudal lords and destroy their livelihood. None are safe from their savage tantrums.

Across the lands of Western Japan, mythical stories of ushi-oni are quite common but their shape and form varies. Conventionally, they are described as a monstrous oni with a bull for a head. But various regional narratives will describe the brutish body differently. Some describe ushi-oni as having a giant crab body. Others indicate that the beast terrorizes the villagers by flying around with insect wings. Nonetheless, the most common imagery of the ushi-oni is that of a black, gargantuan six-legged monster with the head of a fearsome bull.

In fact, the latter description of ushi-oni are those that roam the mountainous forests of Japan. These infernal mamono live deep in the mountain caves that have been long forgotten. Legend says that these creatures are eternal guardians to a powerful magical artifact. A power that is too great for any single man. Any adventurers foolish enough to try and acquire the sacred object, have to contend with the soul-stealing gaze of the daemonic beast.

Conclusion

Fortunately, ushi-oni are very few in number and their caves are well hidden. They do not require much to eat and usually stay within the range of their guard. You are more likely to randomly encounter a wild tanuki than deliberately try to find an ushi-oni. Nonetheless, while hiking through the forest, do remember to stick to the beaten path. And wear a bell to show that you are not sneaking around.

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Yokai Details

  • name: ushi-oni (oo-she-oh-nee)
    kanji: 牛鬼 (うしおに)
    meaning: cow demon
  • aka: gyuki (ぎゅうき)
  • abilities:
    1. enhanced jump — able to jump extreme distances
    2. energy drain — the ability to sap your stamina away
    3. soul steal — consumes a person’s soul with eye contact