Waniguchi – 鰐口 – [Yokai | Tsukumogami]

Waniguchi – 鰐口 – [Yokai | Tsukumogami]

• About this yokai: A Tsukumogami of a flat, copper shrine bell, the kind often seen at Shinto & Buddhist shrines, named for the items resemblance to a crocodile, alligators or a dragons mouth. The bell has rusted and turned green, sprouting fangs and the wriggling draconic body like a 'gator. - Tsukumogami are often said to appear if an area is left disrepair or neglected, seeing as shrines are holy places, prayer instruments aren't very often left in neglect. so it must have been abandoned.

• History & Early Appearances: - 'Wani' is also another name for dragons: seeing as shrine bells would be used to call on the kami for prayers, it makes sense that it too would become a yokai if neglected. At its roots, its a visual pun, there's really not much really much else to say about this yokai. it appears among other Tsukumogami in edo period "Hyakki Yagyo Emaki" & other picture scrolls.

[as it appears in tsukimogami emaki]

[actual waniguchi irl. img source]

art sticker by samkalensky part of my hyakki yagyo night parade of 100 demons, yokai sticker collection follow for many more!