Umibōzu
Umibōzu (海坊主, "sea bonze") is a spirit in Japanese folklore. The Umibōzu is said to live in the ocean and capsize the ship of anyone who dares speak to it. This spirit's name, which combines the character for "sea" with the character of "Buddhist monk," is possibly related to the fact that the Umibōzu is said to have a large, round head, resembling the shaven heads of Buddhist monks. Alternatively they are enormous Yōkai (spectres) that appear to shipwreck victims and fishermen. They are believed to be drowned priests, and exhibit the shaven head and typically appears to be praying. It is usually reported as having a grey, cloud-like torso and serpentine limbs.
According to one story, if angered, they ask that the crews provide a barrel that it proceeds to fill with sea water to drown them. To avoid this disastrous fate, it is necessary to give him a bottomless barrel.
This folktale is likely related to another Japanese tradition, which says that the souls of people who have no one to look after their graves take refuge at sea.
In popular culture
The umibōzu is a very well known yōkai as it is also recognized in modern Japanese culture.
- Shigeru Mizuki's manga series Gegege no Kitaro features an umibōzu in its cast.
- A traditional Umibōzu folktale is told in the second story arc of the anime Mononoke, a sequel to Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales, which combined folktales, Kabuki plays, and animated versions of 19th century woodblock art prints to retell classic ghost stories.
- in the manga and anime One Piece, at the end of the "Thriller Bark" arc (volume 50, chapter 490) as the crew is sailing out of the Florian Triangle, a giant mysterious shadow with eyes appears in the fog, this is believed by many to be an Umibozu. Another Character called "Wadatsumi" slightly resembles the umibōzu. Wadatsumi is also nicknamed "great monk" and was mistaken for a umibōzu by Ussop.
- Itsuki's Pet, "Uraotoko", in the series Yu Yu Hakusho bares a striking resemblance to the Umibōzu.
- Hideaki Sorachi's manga series and anime adaptation Gin Tama features an umibōzu in its cast. Albeit the only similar feature to the yōkai is the round balding head
See also
References
- Allardice, Pamela. Myths, Gods, and Fantasy: A Sourcebook. Dorset: Prism Press, 1991. p. 209.
- Suzuki, Setsuko (Ed.) (1996). 英語で話す「日本の心」Keys to the Japanese Heart and Soul. Kodansha International. ISBN 4-7700-2082-1.
- The Obakemono Project
External references
- Umi Bōzu – The Sea Monk a detailed account of umibozu at hyakumonogatari.com
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