sea

Onryō, Suijin, Yokai

The seas surrounding Japan are dangerous and tempermental. Often, rites are performed to calm them before sea travel. Additionally, these rituals satiate the sea yokai such as funayūrei and umibōzu. Today’s yokai is a lesser known creature of the sea, but just as dangerous. Today we discuss the sinister umizatō, the blind siren of the sea.

Since pre-Edo period, umizatō is described as a biwahōshi (琵琶法師) roaming the seas. Biwahoshi are Japanese bards who share ancient stories through music. Usually they are blind and play the biwa as accompaniment.

However, umizatō is less entertaining and more dangerous. Without sight, he walks the sea with a walking cane. The blind yokai also carries the biwa on his back. Additionally, umizatō taps around noisily, stirring up the waves as he wanders the sea.

Dangerous Waters

Although, umizatō looks harmless, his actions are not. For example, umizatō creates large waves and capsizes the sturdiest ships. Alternatively, he causes shipwrecks by beckoning fishing ships to reefs. Undoubtedly, umizatō is the blind siren of the sea.

But these facts is nothing compared to this next tale. An ancient sea “accident” describes a giant umizatō rising from the seas and swallowed a ship whole. Consequently, only a handful of survivors lived to tell the tale.

Conclusion

Yokai experts say that umizatō are onryō of blind men died at sea. Either by accident or sacrificed to calm choppy seas. Furthermore, umizatō are said to be vindictive towards fishermen at sea. But no reasons were given. Nonetheless, they do not prey on respecful travellers. So, before taking your sea cruise, it doesn’t hurt to say a little prayer before boarding.

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Yokai Details

  • name: umizatō ( oo-me-zah-toe )
  • kanji: 海座頭 (うみざとう)
  • meaning: blind man of the sea
  • abilities:
    1. ocean control — the ability to create and shape the oceans and seas
    2. echolocation — tapping the seas in search of fishing boats and ships
Onryō, Suijin, Yokai

Funayūrei and their army of undead drowners

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.

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