Ao bōzu - 青坊主 - [Yokai]

•About this Yokai•

Ao bōzu - (JP: 青坊主)

Ao Bozu are Blue-Green Cycloptic Onyudo - Giant Monks - though one could say they are especially “green” (inexperienced) at their jobs. in otherwords - He’s more likely to burn your house down with incense than effectively cleanse away any evil spirits. - its said that Ao bozu live in wheat fields and appears when the barley turns green, young children should come home before dark, or he’ll find and eat you!!

There are a large variety of stories about Ao Bōzu Across japan, their alignment, how they look and exactly what they do changes depending where you are, there are plenty of well meaning Aobozu that actually do try to help people: but often wind up accidentally doing a lot more harm than any good! - Often portrayed as menaces, meanies or boogy men that eat naughty kids who disobey their elders, or conversely, posing as a priest to trick elderly couples.

•Early appearances & history•

This yokai was first named in Toriyama Sekien's Hyakki Yagyo (1776) - He was the first to give the Yokai a name proper but earlier Cycloptic one-eyed-Bozu-like yokai exist as well.

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!