Bashō no sei

Bashō no sei (芭蕉精 – Plantain Spirit) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien.

This particular creature is said to come from China where plantain trees are said to sometimes take human form and tell stories when they do.

These tales led to the Noh play entitled Bashō.¹

External Links

• • View the book online here: Konjaku Hyakki Shūi Online.

Footnotes

1. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.

List of Supernatural Creatures

Abura akago * Aka Manto * Akaname * Akashita * Amanozako * Amefuri Kozo * Ameonna * Amikiri * Aoandō * Aōbozu * Aonyobo * Aosagi no hi * Ayakashi * Buruburu * Chochin bi * Dōjōji no kane * Dōmeki * Dorotabō * Enenra * Funa Yurei * Furaribi * Fūri * Furutsubaki no rei * Gaikotsu * Ganbari Nyudo * Gagoze * Gangikozō * Gensuke * Haka no hi * Hangonkō * Hannya * Hashi-Hime * Hatahiro * Hiderigami * Hikeshi baba * Himamushi-nyūdō * Hinode * Hitodama * Hitotsume Kozō * Hiyoribo * Hōkō * Hone Onna * Hyōsube * Ikiryō * Inugami * Jakotsubaba * Jatai * Jorōgumo * Kamaitachi * Kamikiri * Kanedama * Kageonna * Kappa * Kasha * Katawa Guruma * Kawa Akago * Kawauso * Kazenbō * Kidōmaru * Kitsunebi * Kejoro * Kerakeraonna * Kodama * Kokuribaba * Kosamebō * Kosode no te * Kosenjo no hi * Kurozuka * Makurageishi * Mikoshi * Minobi * Momiji-gari * Momonjii * Morinji no Kama * Nekomata * Ningyo * Ninmenju * Noderabō * Nopperabo * Nuppeppō * Nurarihyon * Nureonna * Nuribotoke * Nyūnai Suzume * Obariyon * Oboro-guruma * Ōkaburo * Ōkubi * Okiku * Ōmagatoki * Oni * Onihitokuchi * Onmoraki * Osakabe * Oshiroibaba * Otoroshi * Ouni * Ōzatō * Rokurokubi * Sakabashira * Samebito * Sansei * Sarakozoe * Satori * Sesshō-seki * Seta * Shinkirō * Shirachigo * Shiranui * Shōkera * Shokuin * Shuten-dōji * Sōgenbi * Suiko * Takaonna * Tamamo-no-mae * Tanuki * Tenasobi * Tenjō-Kudari * Tengu * Tengu Tsubute * Tenome * Teratsutsuki * Tesso * Tōdaiki * Tōfu Kozō * Tsurubebi * Ubagabi * Ubume * Umibozū * Umizatō * Ushinotoki-mairi * Ushioni * Uwan * Waira * Wani * Wanyudo * Yamabiko * Yamauba * Yamawarawa * Yanari * Yukionna * Zenki and Goki

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Momiji-gari

Momiji-gari (紅葉狩 – Momiji Hunting) is a depiction of a woman with a connection to a particular demoness in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. In this depiction she is shown in a mountain, holding a long-handled sake pot.

This particular creature relates to the Demoness known as Kijo (a possible oni) whom Taira no Koremichi came across while viewing momiji in the mountains of Mount Togakushi. Eventually he discovers through a vision while sleeping that she is a demon and so kills her.

This is why the name of this creature can be translated as Momiji Hunting, in addition to ‘viewing the autumn colours.’

This particular tale is played out in a noh play of the same name and the town in which this legend can find its origin is called Kinasa-no-Sato, which translates to ‘Village without an Oni.’¹

External Links

• View the book online here: Konjaku Hyakki Shūi Online.

Footnotes

1. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.

List of Supernatural Creatures

Abura akago * Aka Manto * Akaname * Akashita * Amanozako * Amefuri Kozo * Ameonna * Amikiri * Aoandō * Aōbozu * Aonyobo * Aosagi no hi * Ayakashi * Buruburu * Chochin bi * Dōjōji no kane * Dōmeki * Dorotabō * Enenra * Funa Yurei * Furaribi * Fūri * Furutsubaki no rei * Gaikotsu * Ganbari Nyudo * Gagoze * Gangikozō * Gensuke * Haka no hi * Hangonkō * Hannya * Hashi-Hime * Hatahiro * Hiderigami * Hikeshi baba * Himamushi-nyūdō * Hinode * Hitodama * Hitotsume Kozō * Hiyoribo * Hōkō * Hone Onna * Hyōsube * Ikiryō * Inugami * Jakotsubaba * Jatai * Jorōgumo * Kamaitachi * Kamikiri * Kanedama * Kageonna * Kappa * Kasha * Katawa Guruma * Kawa Akago * Kawauso * Kazenbō * Kidōmaru * Kitsunebi * Kejoro * Kerakeraonna * Kodama * Kokuribaba * Kosamebō * Kosode no te * Kosenjo no hi * Kurozuka * Makurageishi * Mikoshi * Minobi * Momiji-gari * Momonjii * Morinji no Kama * Nekomata * Ningyo * Ninmenju * Noderabō * Nopperabo * Nuppeppō * Nurarihyon * Nureonna * Nuribotoke * Nyūnai Suzume * Obariyon * Oboro-guruma * Ōkaburo * Ōkubi * Okiku * Ōmagatoki * Oni * Onihitokuchi * Onmoraki * Osakabe * Oshiroibaba * Otoroshi * Ouni * Ōzatō * Rokurokubi * Sakabashira * Samebito * Sansei * Sarakozoe * Satori * Sesshō-seki * Seta * Shinkirō * Shirachigo * Shiranui * Shōkera * Shokuin * Shuten-dōji * Sōgenbi * Suiko * Takaonna * Tamamo-no-mae * Tanuki * Tenasobi * Tenjō-Kudari * Tengu * Tengu Tsubute * Tenome * Teratsutsuki * Tesso * Tōdaiki * Tōfu Kozō * Tsurubebi * Ubagabi * Ubume * Umibozū * Umizatō * Ushinotoki-mairi * Ushioni * Uwan * Waira * Wani * Wanyudo * Yamabiko * Yamauba * Yamawarawa * Yanari * Yukionna * Zenki and Goki

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• • Period: Heian Period
  • Occupation: Waka Poet, Third Rank of the office of chūnagon
  • Family: Prince Abo (father) Ariwara no Narihira (brother) Ōe no Chisato (nephew)
  • Birth: 818
  • Death: 893

Ariwara no Yukihira

Ariwara no Yukihira (在原 行平) was a member of the Ariwara Family and a known poet during his time, living from 818-893AD. He was the grandson of Emperor Heizei, eldest brother of Ariwara no Narihira and uncle to Ōe no Chisato.

Throughout his life and career he is said to have held superior taste and managed to rise to the rank of Third Rank of the office of chūnagon.¹

He is known to have founded the Shōgaku-in to educate the Ariwara Family.²

A noh play entitled matsukaze (Winds in the Pines) tells of a love between him and two sisters in a remote seaside location in Suma. He leaves the sisters and we see them waiting for his return.

He is known for many poems, all of them included in the same anthologies as his brother, these being the Kokinshū, Gosenshū, Shuishū and Shin-Kokinshū.². One of his poems (No.16) can be found in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu and goes as follows:¹

Footnotes

1. MacMillan, P. (2018) ”One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each: A Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse”. St. Ives: Penguin Classics.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
3. Suzuki, H. et al. (1997) ”Genshoku: Ogura Hyakunin Isshu”. Tokyo: Bun’eidō.

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• Period: Heian Period
• Occupation: Waka Poet, Sadaijin
• Family: Emperor Saga (father) Emperor Ninmyō (brother) Minamoto no Makoto (brother) Minamoto no Tokiwa (brother)
• Birth: 822AD
• Death: 895AD

Minamoto no Tōru

Minamoto no Tōru (源 融) was a member of the Imperial Family living from 822-895AD¹. The son of Emperor Saga he was brother to the future Emperor Ninmyō as well as Minamoto no Makoto and Minamoto no Tokiwa.¹²

Tōru became Sadaijin in 872¹ and was known as the Kawara Sadaijin after his residence in the capital which was east of Sixth Avenue near the river beach (kawara).²

His mansion would become a focal point in the 81st Chapter of the Tale of Ise.²

Tōru would build a mansion in Uji which would later become Byōdō-in.¹²

Additionally one of his major achievements was the creation of many beautiful mini gardens which were styled on his main garden he created.²

We see him as the protagonist in the noh play Tōru, written by Zeami. And he has 2 poems in the Kokinshū and Gosenshū.²

One of his poems (No.14) can also be found in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, and goes as follows:

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. MacMillan, P. (2018) ”One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each: A Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse”. St. Ives: Penguin Classics.
3. Suzuki, H. et al. (1997) ”Genshoku: Ogura Hyakunin Isshu”. Tokyo: Bun’eidō.

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Tsuchigumo

Tsuchigumo (土蜘蛛) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien and various other literature such as the Bakemono no e.

The creature is an oversized spider type of creature.

Yōkai Connections

It is said Minamoto no Yorimitsu killed one of these creatures. The 1781 Kabuki Play called Kumo no Hyōshimai (Dance of the Spider Woman) has a version of this tale where Yorimitsu encouters a beautiful woman, only to see later that her shadow is shaped like a spider.

The Tokyo National Museum houses the Tsuchigumo no Sōshi Emaki, a large picture scroll showing the story of a Tsuchigumo. It can be viewed online.¹

Connection to ‘Barbarians’

Historically this word was used to describe those who would not submit to Imperial Rule, these people portrayed as monsters and barbarians. It is more likely however, that they were merely people who prefered to live their own way of life.¹

Some of the Kumaso people from Tsukushi appear to fall into this category as five people, Awo, Shira, Uchizaru, Yata and Kunimaro are called Tsuchigumo in the nihongi. The first two are even said to dwell in caves. Another by the name of Tsudzura is also seen in his reign.

They are all defeated by Imperial Forces during the reign of Emperor Keikō.²

Other Depictions

Bakemono no e	Minamoto Yorimitsu and Tsuchigumo, Kuniyoshi Utagawa

External Links

• • View the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki online here: Konjaku Online.
  • View the Tsuchigumo no Sōshi Emaki online here: Tsuchigumo no Sōshi Emaki Online.

Footnotes

1. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.
2. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

List of Supernatural Creatures

Abura akago * Aka Manto * Akaname * Akashita * Amanozako * Amefuri Kozo * Ameonna * Amikiri * Aoandō * Aōbozu * Aonyobo * Aosagi no hi * Ayakashi * Buruburu * Chochin bi * Dōjōji no kane * Dōmeki * Dorotabō * Enenra * Funa Yurei * Furaribi * Fūri * Furutsubaki no rei * Gaikotsu * Ganbari Nyudo * Gagoze * Gangikozō * Gensuke * Haka no hi * Hangonkō * Hannya * Hashi-Hime * Hatahiro * Hiderigami * Hikeshi baba * Himamushi-nyūdō * Hinode * Hitodama * Hitotsume Kozō * Hiyoribo * Hōkō * Hone Onna * Hyōsube * Ikiryō * Inugami * Jakotsubaba * Jatai * Jorōgumo * Kamaitachi * Kamikiri * Kanedama * Kageonna * Kappa * Kasha * Katawa Guruma * Kawa Akago * Kawauso * Kazenbō * Kidōmaru * Kitsunebi * Kejoro * Kerakeraonna * Kodama * Kokuribaba * Kosamebō * Kosode no te * Kosenjo no hi * Kurozuka * Makurageishi * Mikoshi * Minobi * Momiji-gari * Momonjii * Morinji no Kama * Nekomata * Ningyo * Ninmenju * Noderabō * Nopperabo * Nuppeppō * Nurarihyon * Nureonna * Nuribotoke * Nyūnai Suzume * Obariyon * Oboro-guruma * Ōkaburo * Ōkubi * Okiku * Ōmagatoki * Oni * Onihitokuchi * Onmoraki * Osakabe * Oshiroibaba * Otoroshi * Ouni * Ōzatō * Rokurokubi * Sakabashira * Samebito * Sansei * Sarakozoe * Satori * Sesshō-seki * Seta * Shinkirō * Shirachigo * Shiranui * Shōkera * Shokuin * Shuten-dōji * Sōgenbi * Suiko * Takaonna * Tamamo-no-mae * Tanuki * Tenasobi * Tenjō-Kudari * Tengu * Tengu Tsubute * Tenome * Teratsutsuki * Tesso * Tōdaiki * Tōfu Kozō * Tsurubebi * Ubagabi * Ubume * Umibozū * Umizatō * Ushinotoki-mairi * Ushioni * Uwan * Waira * Wani * Wanyudo * Yamabiko * Yamauba * Yamawarawa * Yanari * Yukionna * Zenki and Goki

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Hear about Sakura Sogoro on Bonus Episode 16 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• Period: Edo Period
• Occupation: Peasant
• Family: Wife and 4 children.
• Birth:
• Death: September 24th 1653

Sakura Sōgorō

Sakura Sōgorō (佐倉 惣五郎) also known as Kiuchi Sōgorō (木内 惣五郎) was a peasant living in the village of Kozu, now close to modern day Narita.¹ At the time this was in the Sakura Domain in Shimōsa Province.³ He was killed by crucifixion September 24th 1653. After this he returned as an onryo.

Sōgorō’s village was ruled by the hatamoto Hotta Masanobu (堀田 正信), a very greedy ruler who took most of everyones rice as tax, though the area was a fertile land. This led to everyone being on the brink of poverty.

As the head of the village (shōya), Sōgorō decided to go over the lord’s head and send a petition (jikiso) straight to the shogun concerning the greediness of Masanobu. He crept to a bridge they knew the shogun would cross and managed to get the petition into the palanquin of the shogun.¹ The shogun at the time was Tokugawa Ietsuna.²

The shogun after reading the petition requested Hotta to consider the villagers request.

Masanobu rounded up Sōgorō and his family, saying he would do as the petition said, but as Sōgorō had gone over his head Sōgorō would have to pay.

He crucified Sōgorō and his wife, and made them watch their 4 children be beheaded (their children being aged 11, 9, 6, 3), with Masanobu leaving Sōgorō and his wife hanging for three days before finishing them.¹ The crucifixion perhaps occured between 1645-1652.²

He cursed Masanobu as he died and soon after apparitions of him and his wife then began haunting Masanobu and his family. Masanobu’s wife died, and the spirits made him so crazed Hotta killed a maidservant thinking it a phantom. Then he saw Sōgorō in the shoguns castle in Edo and attaked it. Unfortunately it was actually another nobleman, so Masanobu lost his titles and holdings.

There are many versions of how the tale ends with one saying Masanobu realised how evil he was. If Sōgorō would stop his terror he would venerate him in a shrine. The hauntings wanes, and so Masanobu built a shrine using a vast sum of money leading to Sōgorō becoming a patron saint of the peasantry.

The shogun feeling sorry for Masanobu restored his holdings.¹

A kabuki play was later written concerning Sōgorō called Sakura gimin den.²³

Other Depictions

Sôgorô by Utagawa Kuniyoshi.	Tsukioka Yoshitoshi: The Story of Sakura Sôgo (Sakura Sôgo no hanashi).
Sôgorô presenting his petition.	Utagawa Kuniyoshi, The Spirit of Sakura Sogoro Haunting Hotta Kozuke.
Sôgorô and Hotta Masanobu.

Footnotes

1. Yoda, H & Alt, M. (2012) “Yurei Attack: The Japanese Ghost Survival Guide” Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
3. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.

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• Period: Muromachi Period / Azuchi-Momoyama Period
• Occupation: Daimyō
• Family: Date Teramune (Father)
• Birth: 1567
• Death: 1635

Date Masamune

Date Masamune (伊達 政宗) was a daimyō of Mutsu Province living from 1567 to 1635, during his life he had the nickname of One Eye Dragon (Dokuganryū) as he had a lost an eye to disease. The son of Date Teramune, he was also Lord of Yonezawa Castle¹² coming to lead the Date Clan aged 17.¹

He was an excellent waka poet. Studied Noh, insence ceremonies and calligraphy.² 

He extended the clan terrotories by taking over 30 districts in Mutsu and Dewa Provinces ultimately defeating the Ashina Family in 1589 before moving his base to a castle in Aizu. A year later he was made to give up the castle to Toyotomi Hideyoshi.¹²

In 1592 and 1597 he helped Hideyoshi with his invasions of Korea² and later uring the Battle of Sekigahara he sided with Tokugawa Ieyasu and so was awarded the Sendai Domain for his efforts.¹²

Here he built up Sendai, promoted land reclamation, and started a salt industry.¹ Additionally he set up silk industries, horse breeding, gold and silver mining, and under toook a census of his lands.²

He also became intrested in Christianity and allowed christians to build a church in 1611. Later considering relations with the King of Spain and the Pope he sent Father Sotelo and Hasekura Tsunenaga to Mexico and Rome in 1613. Unfortunately he later turned his back on Christianity after he had to ban Christians from his territory after the shogunate banned the religion.²

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

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Hear about Saigyō Hōshi on Episode 17B of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• Period: Heian Period, Kamakura Period
• Occupation: Waka Poet, Monk
• Family: –
• Birth: 1118
• Death: 1190

Saigyō Hōshi

Saigyō Hōshi 西行法師 (birth name – Satō Norikiyo 佐藤義清) was a poet-monk who lived from 1118 to 1190AD. He also held the position of Officer of the Imperial Guard of the Left.

At the age of 22 he is known to have left his wife and family so that he could enter into religion and then came to be known as a wandering poet-monk. Due to his fame as a travelling poet-monk, many other were greatly inspired by him; including Matsuo Basho.

In his life, he later became friend with Fujiwara no Shunzei and Saigyō developed his poetry, with his preffered poetry centering around the themes of the moon, cherry blossoms and solitude.

He left a legacy of many private poetry anthologies, the most well known being the Sankashū. In total he has 266 poems in Imperial Anthologies.

A Noh play was later written by the name of Eguchi by Zeami which features a legend about Saigyō.¹

One of his poems is included in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu (No.86) and goes as follows:

Footnotes

1. MacMillan, P. (2018) ”One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each: A Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse”. St. Ives: Penguin Classics.
2. Suzuki, H. et al. (1997) ”Genshoku: Ogura Hyakunin Isshu”. Tokyo: Bun’eidō.

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• See also: List of Folktales

Hagoromo

The Hagoromo Legend (羽衣 – Feather Robe) is a well established legend/folktale known throughout Japan. The story was later adapted into a Noh Play of the same name.

The story states that there was a celestial nymph (tenyo) who was bathing in the sea. A fisherman comes across her and steals her garment refusing to give it back. She needs to garment to be able to return to Heaven and so she is forced to stay with the fisherman and marry him.

Eventually she manages to get a hold of her garment and finally ascend back to Heaven.¹

More specifically, the fisherman takes her dress as he desires her. She also bears him children before getting him to return the dress. When he does so, before returning to Heaven, she thanks him with a dance.²

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

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• • Period: Heian Period / Kamakura Period
  • Occupation: Waka Poet
  • Family: Fujiwara no Teika (son) Priest Jakuren (son-in-law) Fujiwara no Sanesada (nephew)
  • Birth: 1114AD
  • Death: 1204AD

Fujiwara no Shunzei

Fujiwara no Shunzei (藤原 俊成), also known as Fujiwara no Toshinari was a member of the Fujiwara Clan.

He was the father of Fujiwara no Teika, adoptive father of Priest Jakuren and uncle of Fujiwara no Sanesada. A renowned poet, he lived from 1114AD to 1204AD, entered into religion in 1176 and taught Fujiwara no Ietaka as he grew up.

During his life he held the position of Master of the Empress Dowager’s Palace, was a protege to the Emperor Toba and was a renowned poet. As a poet he is known to have adopted the ‘new style’ of poetry by Minamoto no Toshiyori. He is known to have been friends with the wandering poet-monk Saigyō Hōshi,¹ and was a student of Fujiwara no Mototoshi.³

He acted as the judge of many poetry competitions, and 2000 of his poetic judgements have survived to this day. His literary accomplishments include compiling the Senzaishū and writing the Korai Fūteishō (Treatise on Poetic Styles through the Ages; 1197-1201). In addition to a private collection of poetry we can find 450 of his poems in the Imperial Anthologies.

Following the death of Priest Dōin he chose 18 of his poems to be included in the Senzaishū. Following this Priest Dōin then came to him in a dream to show him how happy this made him. And so Shunzei decided to add another 2 of his poems.

Several aethetic concepts have become closely associated with him, such as the concept of sabi (loneliness), yōen (ethereal beauty) and yūgen (mystery and depth). All of these greatly influenced the development of waka, haiku and noh plays.

One of his poems is included in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu (No.83) and goes as follows:¹

Japanese text2	Romanized Japanese1	English translation1
世の中よ 道こそなけれ 思ひ入る 山のおくにも 鹿ぞ鳴くなる	Yo no naka yo michi koso nakere omoiiru yama no oku ni mo shika zo nakunaru	There's no escape in this sad world. With a melancholy heart I enter deep in the mountains, but even here I hear the plaintative belling of the stag.

Footnotes

1. MacMillan, P. (2018) ”One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each: A Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse”. St. Ives: Penguin Classics.
2. Suzuki, H. et al. (1997) ”Genshoku: Ogura Hyakunin Isshu”. Tokyo: Bun’eidō.
3. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

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