Kanshaku – [Yokai|KanNoMushi]

Description

Kanshaku – 肝積 (かんしゃく) – (“Liver “Shaku”infection”)

• About this Mushi: An infection with an angry red, nipple shaped face and a hairy sack-like body; (roughly shaped like womans breasts.) it grows in the area around the left pectoral muscle and then it trashes about, fiercely headbutting the hosts organs as they crawl around inside the body causing aches and discomfort as it moves towards the liver which it infects. Other symptoms include mood swings; (bursts of anger, the host turns ‘pale at the slightest provocation and will immediately lash out at others!’) insatiable cravings for sour, acidic flavors and an impulsive revulsion towards oily foods.

• Cure: Kanshaku is said to be treated with fairly complicated acupuncture techniques (this time it was actually written down!) First the left side of the torso is treated, after which, The spine around the 9th vertebra is treated. Whatever the patient’s energy is, the shaku’s energy will match. Depending on the patients energy levels, The needles are placed differently and set/removed at different times, the area is rubbed using a special message technique!

• History:Yet another One of 63 ‘HaraNoMushi’ 疳の虫 (germ/parasitic Yokai) from the “Harikikigaki” 針聞書 or “the book of needles” – A 16th century book about acupuncture & medical knowledge written in 1568 by a resident of Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. –

[image via Kyushu National museums collection] – The Kyushu national museum’s harikikigaki guide book also notes: although in the illustration it is coloured yellow-brown, in reality, the yellow-brown part is apparently; supposed to be blue!? in hindsight, maybe i should have colored it blue? oh 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 stickers. Check my shop & follow @samkalensky for many more! (Next ones coming later tonight if i can help it! staying productive is the best distraction i have!)