Karakasa Kozō

857 13 11
                                    

This yōkai is a sentient umbrella. It can have a variety of features. They are most commonly portrayed as having one eye, one foot, and a long tongue. However, they are sometimes depicted with arms or, on rare occasions, two feet.

These are sometimes considered tsukumogami, household objects that have become inherited by spirits after existing for 100 years. This is not the only possible origin for this yōkai though. They are also sometimes said to be the spirits of umbrellas that were ripped apart by intense wind. Because of this, this yōkai is thought to be an omen of bad weather.

These yōkai are not dangerous. At most, they will cause mischief by licking people with their oily tongue.

FUN FACT: This yōkai is unusual in that it is not depicted in eye-witness stories in folklore at all. Despite this, it remains very popular and is commonly drawn by children.

Examples in various media:

Kasa-Bake (GeGeGe no Kitarō)

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

Kasa-Bake (GeGeGe no Kitarō)

Several Unnamed Karakasa-Kozō (Short Peace, specifically the Possessions short in this anthology film) These are unusually aggressive karakasa-kozō as they are resentful after being damaged and discarded by their owners

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

Several Unnamed Karakasa-Kozō (Short Peace, specifically the Possessions short in this anthology film) These are unusually aggressive karakasa-kozō as they are resentful after being damaged and discarded by their owners.

Several Unnamed Karakasa-Kozō (Short Peace, specifically the Possessions short in this anthology film) These are unusually aggressive karakasa-kozō as they are resentful after being damaged and discarded by their owners

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

Drifters (Kirby's Dream Land 2) These are only loosely based on karakasa-kozō as they have a single eye but lack the yōkai's other features.

The Ultimate Yōkai GuideWhere stories live. Discover now