Gashadokuro – がしゃどくろ – [Yokai]

Description

Gashadokuro – がしゃどくろ – aka: odokuro

•About this Yokai: Often said to be spawned from mass graves or perhaps the combined skeletal remains of a village that perished from starvation… these 90ft tall starving skeletons now wander the country side at night; biting off the heads & drinking the blood of those that dare to travel alone. – They’ll only disappear and crumble to dust when their energy runs out. – its said before they strike: they’re invisible, a high pitched scraping sound can be heard, their bones and teeth rattling with a “gachi-gachi” as it approaches. – At least, that’s the popular modern description.

•History and early appearances:

The famous picture scroll: “Takiyasha, the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre.” (Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 1844) – Depicts a gigantic skeleton attacking kyotos palace. – it is the most popular illustration, often given the title of “Gashadokuro” in modern day, most modern depictions of the yokai are in fact inspired by this print. – However: this has been debated by some modern art scholars that the gigantic skeleton was simply a stylistic choice or shortcut decided on Kuniyoshi’s part. – in tellings of the original story describes an “army of skeletons” are summoned by the witch, the story does not actually mention a giant. – [its a lot easier to illustrate a single giant than an army of tiny bones.] – Some believe that the lore of Gashadokuro was perhaps invented by folklorists in the 70’s who perhaps mixed up the lore with that of the giant skull yokai Mekurabe, a giantic skull  made up of several smaller skulls (a ‘mass grave’ caused by general, Taira no Kiyomori, in “Tale of Heike.”) – However, conversely to that: folklore having to do with giant skeletons, does date all the way back to various stories from the 10th century!!! 

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!