Azuki baba - 小豆婆 – [Yokai]

•About this Yokai•

Azuki babā - 小豆婆 - “The Bean Hag” - [from Miyagi, Gunma & Yamanashi Prefectures] - On Rainy evenings: The counting of beans can be heard near the riverbank and an eerie white glow is seen through the twilight mist, a song echos across the lake:

"*Shoki-Shoki* 1, 2, 3, 4 Beans... Should i wash my Azuki, or Should I eat human?” *Shoki-Shoki*'

Unlike the Goofy “AzukiArai” Azuki-Baba means business.

History:
…Another bean washing yokai with cannibalistic tendencies, originated as one of those boogeymen primarily told by adults to scare kids into behaving (every country has something like that, but japan has several.)

According to Shigeru Mizuki; at one point someone could yell “AZUKI IS COMING!!!” and all the children would run away… if you’re unlucky enough to encounter her, don’t get too close… it's said that she traps children in her Colander and then eats them alive!! - But fear not, Azuki-baba does have a “way out” - Its said that if you hold your thumb and calm your mind, counting down, the light she emits will slowly fade and she will disappear… but those that have gotten too close never return...

Shes a yokai by many names regionally: in some places, the washing noise is the work of an evil fox, badger, tanuki or simply a just a frog. 🐸

see also: Azuki Arai, Audio phenomena

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!