 |
| The azukiarai as depicted in Takehara Shunsen's Ehon Hyaku Monogatari. |
The Azukiarai (azuki bean washing) or Azukitogi (azuki bean grinding) is a yokai in Japanese folklore. A mysterious noise near rivers or bodies of water that sound like azuki beans being washed, the yokai would sing "will I grind my azuki beans, or will I get a person to eat? shoki shoki." Anyone who approaches ends up falling in the water.
The Azukiarai is mostly heard than seen and is described as grotesque. They're described a man of short stature with a large balding head, crooked teeth, thin mustache, large bulging yellow eyes, has large hands with only three fingers, and ragged clothes. When he's seen he's bent over a pail washing azuki beans. They are described as being shy and hiding when people come. It's believed that it's good luck if you actually spot him.
Sometimes the Azukiarai is blamed on a tanuki or weasel.
SOURCES:
No comments:
Post a Comment