Sakabashira

Sakabashira
The Sakabashira (逆柱) is a Yōkai depicted in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō by Toriyama Sekien.
The meaning behind the creatures name can be translated as ‘Reverse Pillar’ showing us how these creatures are able to enter into our world.
The Sakabashira depicted by Sekien seep or drip out of support pillars which have been placed upside down allowing them to escape. Misfortune is thought to occur should this mistake be made in the construction of a house.1
External Links
- View the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō online here: Gazu Hyakki Yagyō Online.
Footnotes
1. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.
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