Shamoji Baba -しゃもじばばあ - [Yokai | Tsukumogami]

Shamoji Baba -しゃもじばばあ - [Yokai | Tsukumogami]

•About this yokai: A Tsukumogami (haunted antique) rice paddle "Shamoji" hunched over a cane, holding out a bowl of rice - One of several vengeful Tsukumogami [old tool spirits/kami] that appear in the "Tsukumogami Emaki"  - a picture scroll story where in a bunch of tools are thrown away curbside shortly before Setsubun. They gain sentience and then start plotting their revenge for being discarded haphazardly after many years of service and without so much of a thank you!! 

[the yokai in question]

• History: The Shamoji (wooden spoon) is a flat, old fashioned rice scoop (often hand carved) they are obviously used to stir and serve rice: In old Japan, it was often seen as a traditional symbol for mothers & wives. (--perhaps less nowadays?) in older times, it would be traditionally passed from mother-in-laws to their daughters as a right of passage on new years: Basically a symbolic gesture or way of saying "the kitchen is now yours." ) - the tool itself is often said to be a lucky object: supposedly, it was invented by a Monk in Miyajima, Hiroshima Prefecture. (Today, They use spoons in a lot of their folk-decor.) and The hollow part of a rice spoon or a bowl is also sometimes considered sacred, as a place where spirits or kami can live. 

["At a souvenir shop in Miyajima, where Itsukushima Shrine is located, many shamoji are sold with various wishes, such as "good health" and "prosperous business."-wikipedia]

The same wooden spoons are are also used in hakata dontaku dances!! (a festival dating back to 1179A.D, then known as the Matsubayashi Festival, now a regular part of golden week.) – Legend has it that several housewives (who where in the middle of preparing dinner) where swept away by the excitement of the festival & sound of the music, they simply could not resist joining in by sounding their Spoons! – After which it became a dance tradition! – (pretty cute!!)

Note: I believe that as a yokai, she is shes is without a proper name? – (The only thing i could find was "one eyed rice scoop" or "Hitotsu-meshi" [which is a pun on fried rice.] but no consistent data that I could find otherwise!) - for now i'll label her "Shamoji baba" or the "Rice Scoop Granny"

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!