Nyoijizai - 如意自在 - [Yokai | Tsukumogami]

Nyoi-Jizai - [Yokai | Tsukumogami] - JP: 如意自在 

• About this yokai: An antiquated Nyoi (a Buddhist ceremonial staff.) which was perhaps more often used to scratch monks backs,(more so rather than its intended ritual use.) - after a long existance, it became a Tsukumogami, with long arms and sharp claws, it can reach exactly where you itch. (But, perhaps not gently or when you're expecting it) it does exactly as it pleases.

• History: Another Tsukumogami which was earliest named in Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro (百器徒然袋) [1784] - 

[Nyoi-jizai, 1784, Toriyama Sekien]

yet another one of Toriyamas word-play-based yokai: The name is a play on words, "Nyoi" can also be read to mean: "as one wishes", Jizai meaning 'freely' or 'at ease.' The passage in the entry seems to imply that the yokai is one that can do as it wishes, it uses its claws to scratch itchy backs. - Simply put, the instrument in question is shaped like a back-scratcher. --its not really that deep! [i suppose it could be seen as a bit shameful to use a holy instrument as a back-scratcher??? - I'd reckon that's why it became a yokai.] • the illustration is also thought to be nod to the epic: "Journey to the west" - a "Ruyi" is the Chinese equivalent to the tool, (also the name sake for the "Power-Poll" - 如意金箍棒 ("Ryui Jingu Bang") which Sun Wu Kong uses in battle.) - The yokai also appears to be illustrated among the clouds, similar to how sun wu flies around on his magical nimbus, Kinto-un. (筋斗雲).

[a decorated, 18th century japanese Nyoi [image source] the instrument in question.]

[Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's redraw and colored version 1865] - when coloured, people usually draw it red, perhaps bringing to mind a long nosed tengu.

• Other earlier Appearances: Also worth note is that similar Nyoi yokai also appear across several earlier Hyakki Yagyo Emaki, demon parade scrolls dating back to the muromachi period (1336-1573) as well, these earlier scrolls are likely where Sekien got his inspiration from his yokai.

[differently-shaped Nyoi yokai from an earlier "Hyakki Yagyo Emaki" picture scrolls (1336-1573)]

the above type appears widely, often running along side furuogi, - hand fans would also have been a common temple decor.) - so perhaps thats why they're seen together? if you look at the other tsukumogami in these early scrolls and consider their religious contexts it starts to feel like a temple exploded with spirits!] - in the same scroll, another Nyoi yokai can be seen flying along like a dragonfly...

[the kind of nyoi the above two yokai are based on, image source.] 

Art sticker by samkalensky (yo thats me!) part of my Hyakkiyagyo night parade of 100 demons sticker set if you enjoyed this follow & support for more