Dōmo-Kōmo – どうもこうも – [Yokai]

Description

Domo-Komo – どうもこうも 

• About this yokai: a Yokai with a loose kimono; green skin and Two faces: one facing either direction “Right and Left.” – There are several drawings of it across early yokai scrolls, but the earliest  named appearance is in: “Matsui Bunko Hyakki yagyo emaki.” 百鬼夜行絵巻 (松井文庫)  (1832)  – The name matches One popular folk tale from Niigata (which could explain its written name & possible origin) goes something like this...

“One day, Two rival doctors challenged each other to surgery.  The first round they successfully replaced each others arms, and did so perfectly. but as their dares got more intense, eventually they tried removing each others heads simultaneously: both of them wound up decapitated!!! – the crowd watching said: “Either way you look at it, it’s impossible.” or “Neither Domo or Komo won.” 

…At least, that’s an abridged version of the popular folk story regarding the yokai’s namesake: The original scroll has no indication of it being related to the story.  aside from the name. – So: any similarity could be coincidental. in other words, this yokai could just as easily be a humorous spooky yokai with two faces that just happen to stare in either direction!

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!