Hishaku – [Yokai|KanNoMushi]

Description

• About this Mushi: a nasty, lumpy, wolf-faced germ; it latches onto the inside of the belly button, facing toward & infesting the spleen with its long lapping red tongue, this disease is found most commonly in women and Infections are especially common towards the end of summertime around the time when seasons are changing*! Women who find themselves infected will soon have trouble moving; as it can cause extremely vicious menstrual bleeding as well as irregular discharge. Other symptoms of this disease, include an insatiable appetite for sweet things; Hosts will also find themselves humming uncontrollably!! (Apparently, this bug loves to sing~!!) The host will also develop a sickly, yellowish tinge to their skin. (Not too dissimilar to Jaundice.) – The red star-like shape which appears on Hishaku’s side, represents the inside of the hosts belly button!

• Cures: Fortunately; it can be stopped with acupuncture done around the navel area (about 1cm around the belly button) Unfortunately; as with the majority of cures listed in the book, the techniques for treatment where vague and only passed along orally! (passed down from teachers to students and not written down…)

• History:Yet another One of 63 ‘HaraNoMushi’ 疳の虫 (germ/parasitic Yokai) from the “Harikikigaki” 針聞書 or “the book of needles” – A 16th century book about acupuncture & medical knowledge written in 1568 by a resident of Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. – This Mushi’s effects, area where it spawns and symptoms seem to take cues from the ‘Earth Element’ found in the Chinese element theory known as “Wu-xing.” – The Kyushu national museum’s harikikigaki guide book also describes it as “wolf-like with “Blue ears”

 

• My Observations: If it wasn’t for the discharge and turning you yellow it would almost be cute! Monsters that enjoy sweets AND singing are pretty rare…

• Related yokai: KanNoMushi, Hinoshu.

Sticker Art by @Samkalensky (yo thats me!) – Part of my Night parade of 100 Demons – Yokai & Japanese folklore sticker collection. Check my shop & follow @samkalensky for many more!