#ushi-oni

[rea697994]

Ushi-oni Genya

[farewell-to-lorien]

The Bakemono Zukushi “Monster” Scroll (18th–19th century), unknown artist.

[merpmonde]

Highlight of the year - if I have to pick only one: Uwajima Ushi-oni Matsuri!

We got noisy, we got energetic, we got spectacular, we got festive - and most importantly, we got cows! (link to the scene from Twister)

Taking place each year from the 22nd to the 24th of July, the Uwajima ushi-oni matsuri, or festival of the cow-ogre, the origins of which are disputed, is a big event in Western Shikoku. The three days include fireworks, dancing, bull sumô - in which two bulls are pitted against each other in a more gentle, tug-of-war style fight, apparently they're not supposed to get hurt -, and a big parade of cow-demons!

Around 20 huge wooden effigies start their journey in the city centre, at the foot of the castle hill, and will travel to Warei-jinja, their spiritual home. Well, I say "huge", but there is also a childrens' parade, with the cows and distance adapted to size, as they only go to the end of the covered high street. As shown in the video at the top, several cows will dance together, and all will charge at the priests' stand for blessing. All this, sometimes, with someone riding the cow!

The parade goes down the arcade, out to the station, and back around to finish at Warei park and shrine. Food stands and other amusements are available there, showing that this is a matsuri for the locals to enjoy above all. A few people did talk to me and were very friendly, offering to pose next to the effigies during a break - and possibly hoping I'd help carry them on the next leg, but in that weather, walking around was hard enough!

At the back of the parade is a more solemn procession of two cows. Priests and younger devotees in traditional kimono symbolise the return of the ushi-oni to Warei-jinja, and the closure of the festival takes place along the river at the shrine in the evening. As for the effigies, they are dismantled along the river, having done their job. I don't know if the wood joins the bonfires and new cows are built each year, or if they can be re-used. Either way, at that point I was David Attenborough-ing to myself, "and here we see the end of the ushi-oni's life cycle".

This festival was quite the experience. I had earmarked it as it was taking place while I was in Shikoku, and was not disappointed. I wouldn't go as far as saying "forget the big ones like Nebuta or Gion", as I have seen Gion matsuri and it's definitely worth seeing too, but to anyone really interested in Japanese culture, I'd recommend seeking out one of these smaller-town fetes. But be wary of the talk surrounding overtourism in some places: don't all choose the same one!

[saucylobster]

After I first desinged my Spider fakemon, I figured the ideas would make for great digimon and it's incredible there isn't a Mega level arachnid already. This took far longer than it should have, so maybe don't expect Jorogumon right away. Tsuchigumon Level: Mega/Ultimate Type: Insect/Oni Attribute: Virus Field: Nightmare Soldiers/Tohou Braves A spider digimon whose abdomen has transformed into a gigantic oni. Using it's rearmost legs, it wields two kanabo to crush its foes whilst suspended from it's silken rope. Whilst it's wife, Jorogumon, uses its silk and spiderlings to control a large area, Tsuchigumon prefers to engage in one on one battles where the strongest will prevail. A dual overhead strike with its kanabo in unison, Mountain Shattering Club is a technique focused on unfettered strength, further boosted by the momentum gained from swinging from a silken rope. With Topsoil Tsunami, it vibrates the earth at its feet, propelling the ground forward with explosive force. Ultimate: Gyukimon, Xingtianmon, Groundramon

[elecink]

Yokai

[chimeride]

Ushi-Oni, the 234th Known One.

[making-your-fave-in-fr]

perchance. my creature. maybe./nf

she can use fire magic and is an ushi-oni(spider ox) beastial okay byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee....

I made your creature from thatonesalmonlingnamedspike’s imagination in Flight Rising!

F Obelisk (Swirl Earth eyes) Dirt/Jupiter | Cream/Basic | Cream/Glowtail

Silver Glasses, Cloudy Tail Feathers

[epitaphys]

Zuboshi from da Mimic⁉️🤨🍖

I sacrificed my soul to animate this…

This isnt what I usually post but i was kinda proud of this :D