May 8, 2020
Posted by in Creatures and Monsters, Mythology and Mysteries, Videos | 8.15am
So many things about the Japanese and Japan itself fascinate me. When I visited Japan a few years back, it was one of the best places I ever visited. One of the best trips I ever had. I wanted to stay longer. The country is organized, very EXCELLENT customer service nearly everywhere, convenient, safe, and so many interesting things to see, experience and explore. There were so many places in Japan I wanted to visit and didn’t have time even though I was there for three weeks. Tokyo is an amazing Metropolis, and if I spoke Japanese, I would not mind living there. I really like so many things Japanese so very much. Well for now let me share some of their folklore with you… very interesting as with most things Japanese.
Tsem Rinpoche
These are the top 10 most bizarre creatures from Japanese folklore:
#10 KAPPA
This is a Kappa (“river-child”). According to Japanese folklore, Kappas are scaly, reptilian-skinned creatures who are about the size of a child. Although they are dangerous and are perceived as trouble-makers, they are extremely polite and understand Japanese culture and language.
One thing strange about them is the indentation at the top of their head. When away from water, it is said that they have to keep water within the bowl-like indentation to maintain their magical powers. Without it, they would be immobilized.
When in a threatening situation, a human can bow towards a Kappa. A Kappa, being very polite according to Japanese tradition, would then be obliged to return the bow, only to spill the water from the top of his head, becoming immobilized in a bowing position! Hehe
It is said that if you were to refill that bowl, the Kappa would serve you for all eternity.
You may have heard of Kappas before without realizing it: “Kappamaki”! Kappas are known to really like cucumbers – you could possibly even befriend Kappas by giving them cucumbers. Because of this, the cucumber-filled sushi was named after them.
On the bad side, they have been blamed for causing animals and children to drown, for causing children to be kidnapped and women to be raped… However, because they hold their promises honourably, if you were to trick a Kappa into promising you something, he would have no choice but to carry it through. They have been known to help farmers irrigate their land and pass out knowledge on medicine. There are existing shrines dedicated to those Kappas that have served a human in some way.
#9 HEIKEGANI
A Heikegani is a crab that has a shell resembling a human face! The Japanese believe that the crabs are reincarnations of a fallen and lost ruling clan called the Heike. They were led by the Emperor of Japan, who was only a 7 year old boy then.
In a bloody war with another samurai clan, they lost a battle close by the Japanese inland sea, and the Emperor (together with his grandmother) drowned in the depths of the ocean.
To honour the Heike whose clan was wiped out in the Japanese waters, crabs which have shells looking like human faces are released back into the waters. The Japanese wouldn’t want to eat crabs which they thought were reincarnations of those fallen warriors.
I have added a video produced and hosted by Carl Sagan.
Oh… the Heikegani is not a legend. They really exist hehe
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/Legend-of-the-Heikegani-Crab.mp4
#8 KASA-OBAKE
Called the “Umbrella Ghost”, the folk legend about this Japanese spirit came about after the umbrella was used for 100 years. Kasa-obake are a type of “Tsukumogami” which are objects that will come to life after existing for 100 years… i.e. when a TV exists for 100 years, it becomes an animate object!
The Kasa-Obake were animating so often that the Japanese people wanted to give them another name, to distinguish them from the other Tsukumogami’s… so they named them Kasa-Obake!
#7 NUPPEPPO
The Nuppeppo is a Japanese folk legend that has very little information available on the Internet.
They are apparently a lump of human flesh that smells like rotting flesh. There is some sort of face that creates creases on the blob-like body, and they have fingers and toes. They are about 1.5 metres tall and if you happen to get the chance to eat a Nuppeppo’s flesh, you could possibly live for an eternity in a young, youthful body.
They can apparently be spotted at graveyards or deserted temple areas when the clock strikes 12 midnight.
#6 MAKURA-GAESHI
Makura-Gaeshi is also known as the “pillow-mover”. They are known to be a trickster or a prankster, moving pillows from a peacefully sleeping persons’ head to his feet! Hehe
The creature, who can apparently steal souls too… are only visible to children.
The Japanese are very specific with this mystical creature… they have even pointed out its anatomical features!! Apparently, the Makura-Gaeshi has 5 organs: one for storing children souls, one for converting the souls to energy and supplying that energy to the rest of the body… and a pouch that has sand in it. They would put sand into people’s eyes to make them go to sleep.
The Makura-Gaeshi also has 2 brains. One for scheming out pranks and one for creating rainbow coloured light that is emitted through its eyes.
#5 MOKUMOKUREN
The Mokumokuren are spirits that live in torn paper sliding walls/doors (shoji). This type of door is commonly found in Japanese houses, and can collect many holes over time.
If there are many holes on the paper sliding walls. it increases the chance of someone seeing the eye of a Mokumokuren staring through them. If you were to stare at it for long enough, it can apparently make you blind!
The only way to get rid of the spirit, is to patch up your walls. Easy enough!
#4 KONAK JIJI
The Konak Jiji is a mystical creature that takes on the form of an infant. It is very malicious and draws its victims in by crying like a baby when someone’s in sight.
It is human nature that people will want to look for the child to comfort it… but upon finding the child and picking him/her up, the child will spontaneously put on an enormous amount of weight – possibly up to 300kg!
You wouldn’t be able to let go of the child as upon touching it, you’d be immediately paralyzed. However, it is said that if you don’t get crushed under all that weight, you would instead receive magical powers.
There is a spirit similar to Konak Jiji’s in Malaysia, they are called Toyol. They are a lot more sinister, and could possibly fall under the category of black magic.
#3 AKANAME
Akaname is also called the “filth-licker”… and that is literally what they apparently exist to do! They dwell in places which are filthy, like uncleaned toilets and use their very long tongues to lick all the grime and dirt off their poisonous saliva.
It is believed that this creature was made up by parents to scare their kids into cleaning their bathrooms. However, it was Toriyama Sekien who came up with the mystical creature. He was an 18th century scholar and artist of Japanese folklore, who attempted to catalogue all of the Japanese folklore creatures.
#2 ITTAN
The Ittan (or Ittan-momen) are Japanese folklore’s form of ghostly phenomenon. They exist as a 33-ft long strip of white cloth and are not that frightening by nature. However, if THEY are scared or frightened (or are the “evil” ones), they might just wrap themselves around your head and smother you to death!
In Japanese, Ittan-momen is translated as ‘one-tenth hectare of cotton’. They do have a friendly side and can be worn by those who have gained their trust.
They have appeared in manga (Japanese comic) series such as GeGeGe no Kitaro and various video games and movies. All Japanese, of course hehe
#1 SHIRIME
Shirime or “anus eye” is an odd Japanese mystical folklore creature that has an eye where his anus is supposed to be!
Folklore describes how there was once a samurai who was walking along a road in Kyoto at night. Someone shouted from behind, asking him to wait. The man was so nervous that he quickly turned around to ask who was there, only to find another man undressing and pointing towards his bottom, an eye mysteriously appearing where the man’s anus was meant to be.
The Japanese poet and artist Yosa Buson liked this mystical creature so much that he has added him into many of his paintings.
The photos above are extracted from: http://listverse.com/2010/01/20/10-bizarre-creatures-from-japanese-folklore/
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Where is kuchisake onna?
In Japanese folklore, fantastic creatures might have appeared thousands years ago but not now. These mythical creatures are attributed with strange behaviour to explain the otherwise mysterious phenomena encountered in ancient life. All the mystical creatures as mentioned in this article are new to me and in fact not heard of it before. Sound interesting . Most of them were also believed to have supernatural abilities that surpassed human understanding. Some were evil, and others were simply mischievous. All these might be true somehow. Japanese folklore is full of fascinating creatures born from people’s observations of the inexplicable.
Thank you for this interesting sharing. Some of those creatures looks scary to me.
Given Japanese highly creative animation culture, it is believable that these unusual creatures live and exist among Japanese in the paperback. And I certainly do not think they live anywhere else in the world. I really enjoy reading the list of bizzare folklores, it gives me a different perspective of what constitute scary, or cute, or both in a culture like Japan.
FOR EXTREME PROTECTION
A powerful mantra from Tibet to protect from paranormal disturbances. It invokes upon the powerful angel Dorje Shugden, who rides on a mystical snow lion and rescues all that call upon this supreme awakened one from the land of the snows. His avatar has manifested in our world system to benefit us during the most turbulent of times. Dorje means adamantine energy, and Shugden means immovable and unchanging power.
This mantra is:
… excellent for those who do paranormal research and must enter into places that are afflicted with negative energies.
… powerful to protect psychics and astral travellers. For those who do astral travel, it is good to do this mantra before travelling.
… indispensable for those who visit cemeteries or places where violent energies are present.
… excellent to give protection for those who are afflicted with paranormal disturbances, and is highly protective.
Mantra: OM BENZA WIKI BITANA SOHA
You can recite this mantra 108 times every day. If you miss a day, it does not matter. Simply continue reciting when you can.
Recite the mantra slowly and with concentration during times of distress and fear. Breathe deeply.
When you have visitations from spirits, disturbances or negative forces, recite strongly and with full trust. While reciting, request the spirits, disturbances and negative forces to be dispelled into the light. You can include this mantra with any other rituals you may or may not have. There is no conflict.
If you have spirits in the house, bodies of water, land, office or where you are residing, wish the spirit well and recite this mantra asking for the light and love to bless the spirit to be on its way.
When one is under the influence of hexes/spells and feels abnormally uncomfortable, you can recite this mantra more than 108 times (number up each individual) until you feel the affliction has subsided. It will also help in dispelling bad dreams.
If one comes across animal spirits, one can recite this mantra to bless the animal to cross over.
It is an overall mantra that energizes the place where we live, work or reside. It is most powerful especially if done every day. It activates and invokes upon the wisdom, compassion, blessings, abundance and protective energies of the ascended and awakened angel Dorje Shugden.
Meaning of the Mantra
OM: Refers to the form of Dorje Shugden; as such recitation of this syllable calls upon Dorje Shugden.
It invokes upon his divine presence to manifest now to bless, help and dispel negative energies.
BENZA: Represents the awakened mind of Dorje Shudgen, the indestrubtible nature of which is filled with compassion and wisdom inherent in all awakened beings. This increases wisdom within our minds to help us make good decisions to tackle life’s vicissitudes.
WIKI BITANA: Represents the four energies of peaceful, increasing, controlling and wrathful enlightening activities that are invoked upon depending on the situaion. These are the four energies invoked to subdue, counter, bless and send a spirit on its way.
SOHA: Represents the exhortation to grant requests. It means bless me with abundance, wisdom, love and fulfilment.
With this syllable we invoke the blessings of all good things into our lives.
Source: http://www.dorjeshugden.org
Every creature existing in different country are so interesting. I do fascinated how this being existing story. Out of the 10 Japanese Folklore creatures story,i heard about Kappa (“river-child”) the most. Many story of river child story has reported in Asia country which people has seeing this being existing. Having said that,most of river child story causing people lose their life when people swimming at the river side. Their existence has prove that about buddha said many beings within 6 realm.
Every creature on earth is unique.
It’s not necessary to prove their existence with science and technology because we all know the capabilities of science is limited.
Believe or not is everyone’s own choice, but to respect every creature and behave well are MUST DOs if we wish to live in harmony and peace.
Very interesting article, half of it I have read about it before when I was a child, there is a collection of Japenese folklore that was presented in a comic form.
Although it is said to be Japanese folklore, but I do believe the existence of these beings for the past and even now and future. There are 6 realms in Samsara, every beings are possible.
Different races, countries and cultures have their own different Folklore to tell. I believe many are made up to scared or discipline the children or just stories. There are 6 realms where lives different creatures, there are possibility of someone have seen these creatures in the pass just like Big Foot, Yeti and dragon due to individual karma with these creatures.
I always like reading funny,weird stories. I used to enjoyed having kappamaki as my snack and now additional knowledge to me is, while having kappamaki and also sharing this sushi with a “friend.”
Some people may find it disgusting and others may find it hilarious when mentioned “anus eye”.As I know people often mentioned it either as prank or insult but in this article, Shirime is a folklore creature.Interesting!
I believe some exist but some were people make up the story for a purpose. Each time ready this type of story, a question of ” are they suffer” always came to my mine. Suffer is because human can not accept them and afraid of them. And in the actual world, some of us may behave like them also. Well, is nice to read all this to understand Japan’s cultures and beliefs. Thank you.
I believe all of them are existed, and most of “theirs” stories or histories are more than 100 years, is it a myth? story? Or the history? I have no idea of it.
At my point of view, i will read it as for knowledge, and i don’t want to offended “them” too. Spirits, creatures, UFOs, Gods and Buddhas.. At my level i don’t have any ability to see and communicate with them.
Thank You Rinpoche for sharing this article to all of us.
Much learned from you
Eric kksiow _/\_
Every country or culture may have their own beliefs and cutoms. Japan really has it own interesting folklore. I feel Kappa is an interesting creature and being such a polite creature it’s a respectful type.
Heikegani is an interesting crab with samurai face. Not sure if the background is just a myth but looking at the video of how it look it only can be found in Japan.
Whatever culture or belief an individual has what important is for us to respect even if we don’t believe. Only through respect we can live in harmony and preserve the rich culture for our future generation.
These are indeed curious creatures. I wonder how can anyone come up with such beings. But then again, still today new species of animals are discovered.
The difference is that compared to animals, we feel in power, because of weapons or because we know how to handle them. But with these folkloristic creatures, we need to know very precise tricks to be safe from them.
I am not very familiar with Japan, its customs and folklore so this is a very instructive article although scary.
Thank you,
Thank you Rinpoche for these Japanese Folklore Creatures Tales. I really enjoyed reading all the stories. Each and every story has its own interesting background. Here are some of the stories that i like. #10 KAPPA. #2 ITTAN. #1 SHIRIME. #6 MAKURA-GAESHI.#4 KONAK JIJI.
Japan has many interesting things. Like their culture, tradition and manners, which I find interesting and unique. I have yet to visit Japan but reading these folklores added more interests to go and visit.
The one I find interesting among the ten are Kappa because of the indentation on the top of its head and Kasa-Obake where things come to life after 100 years. Even Kappa have tradition and manners although perceived as trouble maker. How interesting!
I find Kappa fascinating in that it can be controlled and won over to do our bidding. Just making it bow, filling the water and offering it cucumbers and voila! We have a ‘friend.’ Cool!
Akaname would be the dream of every house keeper and hotel. If only they exist. They are similar to the suckermouth catfish bred in aquariums to clean algae and filth.
I always find Japanese folklore interesting. I find the Japanese very ingenious especially in creating perfectness in their living, like their beautiful gardens, their quality of food and presentations, the quality of their manufactured products, etc. They are so advance in science and technology and yet maintained their traditionalism in religion and beliefs. Many families lived together with their parents and grandparents under the same roof due to filial piety. I think that some of the folklores were made up to entertain the younger ones and to scare the mischievous ones into toeing the line. And some folklores could be very real as experiences could have been passed down the generations by word of mouth.
The Kappa sounds easy to handle by just bowing and using its politeness to return the bow thus spilling the water on top of its head. Hehe… so we must make sure we always carry a bottle of water with us to refill the hole on the head of the Kappa and be rewarded. The strangest would be the Shirime. Wonder what is the story behind the eye at its anus… should be interesting.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the stories of these 10 creatures of Japanese folklore.
To this very day, I still love watching anime and read manga. Japan is truly an amazing and beautiful place to be. Japan is filled with beautiful places and nice people. I will definitely visit Japan one day. The only thing is that they have very less vegetarian choices.
It is so fascinating that the Heikegani, a Japanese folklore which has been scientifically proven to exist. How often do we see these things exist? The crabs could have look like any other beings or things in the world but why would it have a samurai face on it’s back? Do you think is the reincarnations of the fallen samurais? For me, I believe it.
The Shirime looks and sounds kinda funny to me. I don’t believe that Shirime is real, there is a big possibility where the witness mistaken something for it because he was high or drunk. The other are fascinating as well but not so compared to the Heikegani. Thank You Rinpoche for sharing.
Dear RInpoche, I’ve only heard of Heikegani. It’s really fascinating that this species of crabs only appear after the emperor and his men committed suicide, and the fisherman says that they do not fish this type of of crabs because they believe that these crabs are the emperor and his men. In other words, they kinda cursed the sea. No offense Rinpoche, but I think the rest of them are fake.
I always love Japanese folklore. It is scary yet mysterious. There are many anime cartoons that tells viewers how the creatures are. But they will be depicted in a good manner at the end of the day by helping some one or something.
Wow, these creatures that live in Japan are so unique. The creature called Shirime is so funny, it have an eye on its bottom. I wonder do they really exist in this world? If I ever have the chance to visit Japan, I would never wish to see them. But if they doesn’t hurt humans then i would like to see them. By the way, thank you Rinpoche for sharing these information about folklore creatures in Japan
I really love Japanese folklore. The japanese are indeed a colourful culture. Some of the “monsters” are so messed up. Especially, the Shirime, the anus eye. I would really be terrified if I get called from behind only to find myself being mooned by a man with an eye up his butt. Another very interesting one is the baby spirit that turns into 300kg. I wonder if one were to sacrifice their legs by putting the baby on their lap, will the person still receive powers?
This is really interesting! The Japanese folklore creatures here are quite funny… i particularly like the story about Kappa (also i happen to like kappamaki the most out of all sushi hehe).
Thanks Rinpoche. It was an intresting post for “mystical” knowledge. thanks for your great kindness and effort to compile the information for our learning.
This is really a most fascinating blog post. I love all the stories here and I am very fascinated to read about them. I think all cultures would have an equivalent of some of these supernatural beings. The universality of it makes them most likely to be real. One just need to see the smoke to know that there is fire. I believe in ancient India and Tibet too there are all those supernatural beings that are not enlightened and have smaller or bigger impact on people’s daily lives.
I think, learning about supernatural beings and if one get a chance to perceive them would be most educational for most modern people. It is educational because it shows us that there other realms and dimensions and types of existences. Hence, even the Buddhas and Dharma Protectors do exist as well.
Very interesting! No Shinigami though?
I always felt beings like this do exist even though some stories may not be entirely accurate. If anyone tells me, I never hesitated to believe. I always always always believe in anything mystical and the possibilities of it especially as a kid.
As a kid, knowing the unknown and what may not seem possible to be real seems so much easier. Then again, life was so much easier as a kid. As I grew older and got caught in “life”, the fantasy world slowly fades because the shift in priorities and responsibilities. It’s like we have to stop being in the fantasy world which is funny because is the life we live is an illusion.
It’s interesting how people across many different cultures have their own folklores…and how some folklores transcend cultures (like the Yeti and Bigfoot). Just goes to show humans aren’t as different to one another as we think…just some characteristics are more pronounced in one person than in others!
x
I was brought up to based all the things on science. If science cannot prove it, I won’t believe it. More so for folklore like these, I will just brush them aside and never even want to look at it second time.
Reading Rinpoche’s blog really challenge my mind. While I am not sure if these creatures really exists (because I have not seen them before), I don’t brush it aside immediately, and will ponder on the matter. This actually make my mind more open, and thus open to more new concepts and most importantly Buddha’s teaching.
I sincerely thank Rinpoche for finding new ways to challenge my mind, and pray that others will benefit from it too!
Just because science cannot prove it, doesn’t make it unreal. Science cannot prove the origins of life, does that make life not real? Nay.
And these beings can be proven by science very easy. They are call jinn, they are made out of smokeless fire (which today we would call plasma), and there are many lights that are unseen to the naked eye. As they are made from fire they can appear to us as different forms and shapes. And not everything in life can be explained 100% by humans, for we use the senses we have.
It reminds me of teachings i heard on the Shurangama mantra.