#japan folklore

[fallbabylon]

Yokai Museum- Miyoshi Hiroshima Prefecture

[rayspookyhistory]

𐙚 Hachishakusama 𐙚

Hachishakusama, also known as "Eight Feet Tall" (八尺様, Hachishakusama), is a compelling urban legend from Japan, known to haunt and terrify children.

Hachishakusama stands at a towering eight shaku, about 240 cm or 7 feet 10 inches. She is often depicted wearing a long, flowing white dress or burial kimono. Sometimes, she is described wearing a wide-brimmed hat. Her face is usually obscured, adding to her mysterious and ominous presence. She mainly resembles a lady.

She emits a deep, masculine voice that repeats the sound "Po... Po... Po..." in a slow, rhythmic manner. This sound is often the first sign of her presence.

Hachishakusama typically targets children, usually those around the ages of 8 to 13. The reasons for her preference for children are unclear, but it adds a layer of dread to the legend. Once she has chosen a victim, she begins to stalk them relentlessly. The child and those around them might notice her figure lurking in the distance, her voice growing closer over time. Children who have seen or heard her are marked for abduction. The legend states that once marked, the child has only a few days before Hachishakusama takes them away.

Origin of the Legend

The legend of Hachishakusama is a modern creation that has gained popularity through the internet, particularly on Japanese forums and horror websites. It is a part of the larger genre of urban legends and ghost stories that blend traditional Japanese folklore with contemporary fears.

Protective Measures and Rituals

Surrounding the child with bowls of salt and placing protective charms (omamori) around their living space can help ward off Hachishakusama. The salt is believed to purify and create a barrier against evil spirits.

The child may be confined in a room with religious symbols, such as Buddhist sutras or Shinto talismans. These symbols are believed to provide protection by creating a sacred space that evil spirits cannot penetrate.

Moving the child to a distant location, preferably outside of Japan, is considered one of the most effective ways to break the curse. The belief is that Hachishakusama's influence weakens with distance. However, the minute they step back into Japan, they are to be abducted.

Cultural Impact and Interpretations

Hachishakusama has appeared in various forms of media, including horror manga, video games, and creepypasta stories. Her story has been adapted and retold in numerous ways, cementing her place in contemporary folklore.

The legend taps into deep-seated fears, such as the fear of the unknown, the supernatural, and the vulnerability of children. It also reflects societal concerns about the safety of children and the ever-present threat of danger in a seemingly safe environment.

Hachishakusama shares similarities with other supernatural figures in folklore, such as the Slender Man from Western urban legends. Both are tall, mysterious figures that target the young and evoke a sense of pervasive dread.

Popular Story Example

A well-known version of the Hachishakusama story involves a young boy visiting his grandparents in a rural village. During his stay, he encounters Hachishakusama in the garden, hearing her eerie "Po... Po... Po..." sound. His grandparents, recognizing the signs, quickly take protective measures, isolating him in a room surrounded by salt and religious charms. Despite their efforts, the boy feels her presence growing stronger. Ultimately, he is sent away to live with relatives far from the village, breaking the curse. This story highlights the combination of traditional protective practices and the ultimate need for distance to escape her grasp.

BEWARE THE WRATH OF THE HACHISHAKUSAMA

and also look at my cute drawing i did of her during making this :3

[kelogsloops]

work in progress of this little kappa #brbchasingdreams

prints | tutorials

[inkyami]

Kaeru nyōbō (蛙女房) — "frog wive", a shapeshifting character in Japanese folklore. The frog turns into a woman in order to marry a human man, but retains some of her froggy qualities — Kaeru nyōbō is very fragile, small, and is unable to do heavy work due to her little strength. The life with her can be perfectly ordinary and peaceful, unless the curiosity of a husband & family discovers her true nature, and she hops away.

The stories about frog wives exist all over Japan with some variations of the plot. The motive itself — of a girl "with a secret" and a family ruined by prying into it — seems to be extremely popular in Japanese folklore in general.

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[vcreatures]

Tengu are a medium sized, arboreal, humanoid inhabiting the lush mountain and forest terrain of Nippon . Communal and highly social, Tengu live in large extended family units with a matriarch or patriarch at the helm. 

Sexual dimorphism is subtle. With males and females being roughly the same size, color and shape. While males and females both posses large noses, dominant elder males have been recorded having noses that extended beyond their stomachs. Such a nose is incredibly attractive to highly selective females. 

While relatively docile in nature, if provoked, they can be quite dangerous, using their large fangs, claws and brute to wield fatal blows. This ferocity is especially displayed during territory disputes amongst rival clans.  

While relatively high on the food chain Tengu are still susceptible to predation. Kitsune, Ryu and at times even Oni will actively hunt adult Tengu. However it is the young pups who are most susceptible during their nascent voyages away from mom. 

While incredibly nimble in the trees, Tengu also are able to fly. Due to their robust bodies they can only fly for short distances but can cover vast distances despite this.

An eclectic diet, Tengu are opportunistic eaters. With a diet ranging from fruits and nuts to Kappa chicks and small rodents. 

Due to their high intelligence Tengu are known tricksters who will regularly steal clothing, food and supplies from lost travelers. 

[chimeride]

Shiro’uneri, the 250th Known One.

[matyas-ss]

Kwaidan (1964)

Directed by Masaki Kobayashi

Cinematography by Yoshio Miyajima

[illustratus]

A flying Sea Dragon swooping down above the waves by Utagawa Kuniyoshi

[kyotodreamtrips]

Kibune, nestled in the mountains just north of Kyoto, is special in Japanese folklore and history. This enchanting village is known for its magical atmosphere and mysterious legends passed down through generations.

[fallbabylon]

a mummified hand of a Kappa sits inside a temple dedicated to these legendary yokai in the Kappabashi Dori area- Sogenji Temple, Tokyo Japan

Sōgenji Temple (Kappa-Dera)

[bestiarium]

The Ushi-Oni [Japanese folklore, yokai]!

Japanese folklore has a rich repertoire of strange beasts, spirits and creatures. And as Japanese Yokai go, the Ushi-Oni is one of the older ones. Though usually depicted as a giant spider with the head of a bull, some sources portray it with a feline body, resembling a monstrous bull-headed tiger. Regardless of its appearance, the Ushi-Oni is a cruel and vicious creature that enjoys killing people. In some versions this monster makes its home on mountains or in forested areas, but usually it is an aquatic spook, living either in the sea or in freshwater rivers, lakes or swamps.

The Ushi-Oni is married to a different monster: the Nure-Onna. This female fiend resembles a large snake with a human head and arms. She is an aquatic creature and lives near shores and riverbanks.

The two monsters work together to ambush people, with each having a set role: first they wait on a shore or coast for someone to pass by. When they spot a lone traveller, the Nure-Onna transforms into a young human woman holding an infant. She then walks up to the intended victim and asks them to hold her baby, and if they do, she casually walks into the sea and disappears, leaving the victim confused and holding a baby.

Whether this baby is a sentient, separate entity or merely a magical illusion is unclear, but its weight magically increases when the victim is holding it. Eventually, the child is so heavy that the traveller is unable to move without dropping the infant. At this point, the bull-headed Ushi-Oni emerges from the sea and pounces on the unfortunate victim to devour its prey.

In the 14th century epic ‘Chronicle of Great Peace’, the hero Watanabe Tsuna faces and eventually defeats an Ushi-Oni.

Sources: Yoda, H. and Alt, M., 2016,  Japandemonium Illustrated: the Yokai Encyclopedias of Toriyama sekien. This work is a translation of the Gazu Hyakki Yagyo by Toriyama Sekien in the 18th century. Marks, A., 2023, Japanese Yokai and Other Supernatural Beings: Authentic Paintings and Prints of 100 Ghosts, Demons, Monsters and Magicians, Tuttle Publishing, 240 pp., p. 122. (image source 1: Vongraven on Artstation) (image source 2: Bakemonozukushie, an Edo period scroll currently in possession of the Brigham Young University collection)

[lowcountry-gothic]

The KaiKai Yōkai Festival's Great Night Parade at the TOEI Kyoto Studio Park. Kyoto, Japan.

[redsamuraiii]

Fun Trivia : Did you know Catfish exist in Japanese mythology called Namazu?

Legend has it that there was a giant underground catfish which causes earthquakes and lives under the islands of Japan.

It was believe to be have been spotted at Lake Biwa and there is an Otsu-e painting depicting the creature in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture.

So the producers of Shogun knew what they were doing when they created this scene of Yabu and Ishido about the supersition.

It happened when an eel fisherman reportedly spotted unusual active catfish in a river, followed by an earthquake.

Namazu was considered by the people to be "Yanaoshi Daimyojin" (God of World Rectification), an avenger of social injustice.

They believed the rich hoarded their wealth but were disgorged due to earthquake and redistribute to the people in rebuilding efforts.

Although Ishido repeatedly tries to deny it but you can tell that he is actually terrified knowing that his recent actions were "immoral".

Being born a peasant, he would believe the Namazu but pretend not to care to show his followers that he is not a peasant but a Samurai.

And the fact that Toranaga survived the earthquakes thrice implies that the Gods or Namazu have favored him over Ishido.

Toranaga probably believe in it to, thinking that Anjin is sent by the Gods to protect him. One reason he decides to keep him by his side.

Toranaga, being an opportunist and strategist, takes the earthquake as an omen that those who follow Ishida would be doomed.

Not only is he now a "rebel", being abandoned by the Taiko's heir and consort, Ochiba but also abandoned by the Gods.

Japanese religion and folklore brim with an astounding variety of deities and creatures, products of a polytheistic belief.

Richly varied in appearance and behaviour, this pantheon laid the groundwork for the Kaiju culture of modern era like Godzilla.

Some believe Godzilla to be simply a demonic but some believe it to be a wrath of the Gods sent to punish humans, like the Namazu.

A reason that I've always loved watching Japanese films is that there's always a mix of legends which adds to the mystery.

[sad-emo-dip-dye]

I need like a wan-style spin-off of just the everyday people that live in Yokohama who have to deal with whatever the hell the agency is doing at any given moment.

Sweet little farm boy rips up a stop sign and obliterates a few structures? Oh damn somebody must have forgot to feed him.

Somebody fished the bandaged guy out of the water? Yeah that’s like his third time this week.

“How was your day honey?” “Some doctor lady got catcalled on the train and she broke his arm.” “Again? Good for her.”

“Oh yeah, I was gonna go study in the cafe but I think it’s about to get stormed by the mafia again.” “Yeah. Let’s go downtown.”

Vendor down the street tries to up-charge a little girl for some crepes and is met with a glowing katana? That’s just good business on her part.

Hey man, did you hear? A whole whale fell from the sky into the port and they didn’t even cancel class today.

The government stormed a cafe to arrest some Russian dude? Yeah man I got free drinks and food.

I just think it would be so funny

[tanuki-kimono]

Interesting article by Xavier from Archéo'Japon, overviewing the history and beliefs surrounding May 5th Kodomo no hi 子供の日 (children's day) / Tango no Sekku 端午の節句 (Japanese take on Duanwu festival) traditions.

Original article is in French but really worth a read through auto-translate if you wish to learn more about the origins of some of the Kodomo no hi rituals :)