September 19, 2022: Your Handy Guide to Weird Yokai!

Pity the poor kitchen grater, dulled by years of improper storage, usage, and care, that transforms into a Yama Oroshi, resembling a porcupine with its blunted slicers adorning its head like a hat out of Philip Treacy’s new fall collection.

The yellow-bodied, big-headed Bake ichō no sei are the spirits of gingko trees that haunt, appropriately enough, old gingko trees, striking their tiny gongs and generally making people uncomfortable with their odd appearance and weird behavior.

Has your cat recently demonstrated an affinity for walking around on its hindquarters, a sudden talent for playing musical instruments, or the ability to manifest fireballs? If so, then it may be turning into a Bakeneko, a yokai bent on revenge after years of neglect.

The Uwan is so-named because of its penchant for jumping out of hiding and shouting “Uwan!”, startling unwary travelers and feeding on their fear. Should you ever encounter one, shout “Uwan!” back and it will flee into the night, never to mess with you again.

The Byōbu Nozoki is the degenerate spirit of a decorative folding screen that spies on people having sex. Should you ever glimpse a tall, creepy individual with long black hair and black teeth leering at you, just ignore them. They’ll eventually go away. Whenever you’re done.

 

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