#yokaijune

[katgbirmelin]

Today's yokai is the Itsumade, a strange bird like creature with features of a beaked human face, and snake's body. They are considered to be omens of tragedy and disaster, and are heralds with terrible voices. I don't normally do many pencil sketches or show my drawings in pencil because I don't tend to like them, but this was a very relaxing and almost medative piece to work on. #yokai #yokaijune #itsumade #japanesemythology #japaneselegend (at Yokota Air Base)

[katgbirmelin]

#sketching some #yokai Do you have any favorites? I think my favorite from doing my #yokaijune a year or so ago was the Tako Nyudo, or the Octopus Priest. Since then I've come across some strange new favorites! #sketchbook #doodle #pensketches #thumbnailsketches #thumbnails #monsters #spirits #kami #ghosts #japan #japanesefolklore #japanesemythology #inspiredbyjapan #nightparade #oni https://www.instagram.com/p/B1mz0HKjkjb/?igshid=1x8fw3hln9v5y

[katgbirmelin]

Today's yokai is the Kappa. Kappa are small turtle like humanoids, about the size of a human toddler, who can be found almost all over Japan. They spend their lives near places of water, and have an indent on their head that holds water. This holds their power and must remain wet, or else the kappa will lose their powers and die. Most kappa are considered friendly, honorable, and intelligent, able to learn human languages. They're skilled in medicine and bone setting, and it's believed they taught humans these skills some time ago. They enjoy cucumbers, and often shrines dedicated to them will be piled high with such offerings. More commonly associated with being malicious than kind, Kappa are quite strong and will drag humans and animals (particularly cows and horses) into the water where they are drowned and devoured. Some have been said to kidnap and rape, but if you can get a Kappa to bow or spill the water from it's head, escape is possible. #yokai #yokaijune #kappa #japaneselegend #japanesemythology

[katgbirmelin]

Today's yokai is the Baku, an immigrant from China to Japan. The Baku is said to have the head of an elepy, the eyes of a rhino, the body of a bear, the mane of a lion, the legs of a tiger, and the tail of an ox. It's said it was the last creature to be shaped by the gods from leftover parts, also making it the most beloved. Baku are good natured guardian spirits who feed on dreams (especially bad ones). Evil spirits and yokai are afraid of the Baku, and will not enter it's territory, making the Baku a powerful talisman for good fortune, luck, health, power against evil. It's common to see their images carved into temple pillars, doors, and roof columns. Parents even sometimes embroidered the kanji for Baku onto pillows to prevent nightmares for their children. In Japan it's also common to see Baku in reference to Tapirs, which they associate with the Divine chimera. #yokai #yokaijune #baku #japanesemythology #japaneselegend

[katgbirmelin]

Today's yokai is the Ushi On I, an ox demon who haunts the coasts of Western Japan. Most Ushi Oni resemble an ox from the neck up with either the body of a crab, spider, or human (like a minotaur), but some have the body of an ox and the head of a demon. These yokai are cruel by nature, can breathe noxious poison, and prey on humans. They sometimes work alongside other yokai to hunt and capture humans. Some are also known for causing curses or disease to run rampant through fishing villages. #yokai #yokaijune #ushioni #oxdemon #japanesemythology #japaneselegend

[katgbirmelin]

Today's yokai is the Ningyo, a type of Japanese mermaid. Unlike the more stereotypical mermaid who is beautiful, these ones tend to be ugly and sometimes misshapen fish monsters with only some human semblance. They can also range in size from a human baby to a large seal. Sightings go back to some of the earliest writing in Japan. Eating the flesh of a Ningyo is supposed to grant eternal life and youth, however Ningyo are known for their powerful curses, making the risk not worth it to many. There's legends of entire seaside towns being destroyed from humans who tried to capture a Ningyo, or worse, fisherman who accidentally caught one in their nets. My Ningyo is a mix of deep sea fish and frogfish, with a tiny dash of human. #yokai #yokaijune #ningyo #mermaid #japanesemythology #japaneselegend

[katgbirmelin]

Today's yokai are the Koma Inu (the one with the horn), and the ShiShi (from Okinawa). Both are also known as Foo Dogs, Foo Lions, and Lion Dogs. These yokai are guardian creatures of holy areas, and have a lion's mane, sharp teeth and claws, a muscular body, and in the case of the Koma Inu, a horn. Typically they are represented in pairs of male and female. I LOVE Foo Dogs and own a few myself (the ceramic kind). The color for both of these are based on some traditional pottery pieces I've seen around Japan. #yokai #yokaijune #komainu #shishi #foodog #liondog #japanesemythology #japaneselegend

[katgbirmelin]

Today's yokai is the Nue. The Nue is one of the oldest recorded yokai and is a chimera comprised of the body of a tanuki, the head of a monkey, the limbs of a tiger, and the tail of a snake. Evil by nature, one of these yokai terrorized Emperor Konoe with nightmares every night. The emperor summoned two of his legendary samurai to destroy the creature: Minamoto no Yorimasa and I no Hayata. Yorimasa shot the Nue with an arrow, and Hayata delivered the killing blow. #yokai #yokaijune #nue #japanesemythology #japaneselegend