Kiyohime - [Yokai/Folktale]

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• About this yokai •
"Hannya Honnari" (本成) are the strongest form of Hannya. Honnari meaning "true form" are typically depicted with a white, or jet black mask. - They have an even wilder expression than your average hannya mask, generally expressing true rage or grief. - Honnari hannya represents a woman who has snapped and “gone off the deep end” embracing pure unbridled rage. – (opposite to the "Daigan Mask" which has subtle golden eyes to represent the “essence of magic” in an otherwise normal girl) - a honnari hanya can no longer return to being human: generally, Honnari hannya are depicted as white-faced fire-breathing demons with dragon or snake-like features. - Kiyo-hime from the story of “Dōjō-ji” is the prime example of a Hannya Honnari, her story goes a bit like this.…

…There once was a very handsome travelling Buddhist monk named Anchin. Every year during his travels, Anchin would stay with the Masago no Shōji family. He would joke with their cute daughter kiyo, that he would marry her when she grew up & take her with him on his travels. Unfortunately the girl took this to heart, and as the years went by and she fell in love with Anchins promise.

Every year Kiyo waited for Anchin to come again. When she came of age, she reminded him of his promise and asked him to marry her. Anchin was embarrassed that she had taken his word seriously, and lied that he would come back for her as soon as he finished his pilgrimage. On his return, he avoided the Masago no Shōji manor entirely and headed straight towards his destination.
Realizing that she had been tricked & lied to for years, kiyohime became enraged! She persued him through the town. Anchin ran, towards the Hidaka river and paid a ferry to take him across. When Kiyohime saw that Anchin was escaping her, she jumped into the river and started to swim after him. While swimming in the torrent of the Hidaka river, she transformed into a fire breathing serpent or dragon because of her blind rage. (As one does when they’re angry😤 )
Terrified, Anchin ran towards Dōjō-ji temple, he asked the monks to hide him and so they hid him inside of the temples gigantic bell. Unfortunately the serpentine kiyohime was easily able to sniff him out. She coiled around the bell and let out a huge belch of fire. Melting the bell along with poor anchin inside…Realizing what she had done, kiyo hime was overcome with grief, flinging herself into the lake, drowning.
The end!!!

moral of the story? Don’t joke around with young girls hearts 💔

Sticker Art by @Samkalensky (yo thats me!) - Part of my Night parade of 100 Demons - Yokai & Japanese folklore sticker collection, weather-resistant 4" Glossy sticker. Check my shop & follow @samkalensky for many more!