Myth of the Week 006

This week, let's look at a rather unusual mythological creature (and one that's completely new to me): the Akaname.

An akaname as depicted in the first volume of Toriyama Sekien's Gazu Hyakki Yakō (1776).

According to Japanese folklore, the akaname is a demon whose name (literally translated as "Filth Licker") says it all. The creature is said to sneak into dirty bathrooms to lick them clean.

The demon typically takes the form of a red, warty humanoid with frog-like features and an elongated tongue. Keep an eye out for this guy, as he's slippery and sneaky. If you happen to find all those hard-to-reach crevices around the bathtub are sparkling, yet you haven't lifted a finger or sponge in months, you'll know who the culprit was.

He's also described as the "personification of the fear of using a dark bathroom late at night." Furthermore, what a great little tale to share with your kids, to scare them into keeping the tile scrubbed and the toothbrush jar wiped down.

While some might find this myth creepy, I'd happily welcome an akaname if it meant not having to scrub the john.