Hossumori - [Yokai|Tsukumogami]

Hossumori - 払子守（ほっすもり) - [Yokai | Tsukumogami]

• About this yokai: An antiquated “hossu” (fly-brush) which after nine years of being handled by a zen master, came to life and began sitting lotus style like a monk in deep meditation. Much like Daruma himself, it stares ahead with an unrelenting gaze, seeking enlightenment. Perhaps it is unstoppable... 

• Origin: Another Tsukumogami first dreamed about and explained by Toriyama Sekien in his "Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bokuro" (1784) Toriyama's entry & illustration goes as follows:

“In his dialogue about nothingness, Jōshū stated that even a dog has a Buddha-nature. If this is so, in keeping with the concept of transmitting the light” [from master to disciple], perhaps a hossu that has been used in Zen practice for nine years might well begin sitting lotus itself. So I dreamed.” - [Translation by Japandemonium 2017]

[Hossumori as it appears in Toriyama Sekien’s Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro vol. 1 (1784). The instrument sits lotus style atop a shrine under a lotus inspired lamp. Image source: Smithsonian]

• The Antique in Question: 

A “hossu” is a buddhist ritual instrument. It’s used like a fly-swatter for brushing away pests such as mosquitos & flies without killing them but also used for brushing off bad energy, thoughts & worldly desires. It is a short staff made of wood or bamboo, topped with bundled hair, wool, or hemp. Most often used by the lead Zen-Buddhist head-priest and passed from one teacher to the next. It is regarded as a symbol of a teacher's authority to teach and transmit the idea of Buddha-Dharma on to others. 

• History: Toriyama is referencing a famous “Kōan” (zen question) in which a student innocently asks master Jōshū if "dogs also have a buddha nature?” The master, who was actually quite a funny man, answers the question with a resounding: “Mu.” (無) Which in a nutshell, means a bit more than “no” but is also a bit closer to saying “nothing” as it’s often believed that answering “yes or no” to such a question would also make the answerer lose their own “buddha nature.” So answering with a non answer was the best choice. Sekien humorously suggests that if a dog could have a buddhist nature, then perhaps a well used hossu (The “pet item” of a zen-master) might also realize that it could reach enlightenment after nine years of use. The “nine years” is specifically a reference to Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, who is said to have achieved enlightenment after meditating in a cave for nine years.

There's sadly not much more to say about this one overall. Incidentally, according to folklorist Shigeru Mizuki there are old stories about “Ghostly Hossu which appear and dance at midnight”, however, he did not cite a source, so it's up in the air if it was something he was told orally, read somewhere, or perhaps it was something he simply invented for the sake of having more to say.

• See also: Of course this isn’t the only Tsukumogami which originates from Buddhist or Shinto religious Tools & instruments. - Here is a short list of other Tsukumogami with similar origins:

• Mokugyo Daruma - An animated wooden fish, much like Hossumori, after being used for 9 years, it tries to reach enlightenment.

• Shogoro - A small gong frequently used in Buddhist services. It came to life in the shape of a turtle. 

• Waniguchi - An oxidized, rusty, bronze bell, it came to life in the shape of a crocodile. 

• Kyorinrin. - Animated sutra’s which came to life in the shape of a dragon. 

• Nyubachibo - A castonet-like hand cymbal called a Nyobachi; used in prayer & performances.

• Narigama - An iron cauldron, used in religious ceremonies.

• Nyoijizai - A ceremonial staff that was used as a backscratcher, now as a yokai it can scratch any itch.

• Heiroku - Shinto Paper Strips (called ‘Gohei’) which came to life in the form of an old man. Now it runs around spouting lies!

• Ungaikyo - A possessed sacred shinto mirror used for moon viewing, it reflects & reveals yokai.

• Suzuhikohime. - A bell which was used in kagura dances, came to life and now dances as a shrine maiden would.

• Ichiren bozu. - Living prayer beads which the star in “tsukumogami emaki.”

[Art sticker & Writing by @SamKalensky (yo, thats me!) Editing by @Cattype. Part of my Hyakki Yagyo Night Parade of 100 yokai sticker series. Follow & check my shop out for many more! Thank you for your support!]