Kesara-Pasaran - ケサランパサラン - [Yokai|UMA]

Kesara-Pasaran - ケサランパサラン - [Yokai|UMA]

• About this Cryptid •

"Kesaran Pasaran" - (JP: ケサランパサラン) - Are mysterious floating "fuzzy things" which are often classified as a UMA, (Unknown mysterious animals.) Cryptids or as type of Yokai.

Spotting or Capturing one is said to be a very good omen, Legend has it that the Kesaran Pasaran will make you happy when you find one!! - (How exactly that works varies from person to person and the details vary from place to place.) - The Myth became quite Popular in the 1970's in Northeastern Japan, Kesaran Pasaran is often treated as a living creature, its said that these puffballs where often passed down from mothers to daughters as heirlooms & kept in a wooden box with holes as a sort of pet! - it's said you can feed them using flour or face powder to 'breed' them and they'll multiply rather quickly. 

It's theorized that the Japanese name is derived from a spoken translation of "Que sera sera." or in other words "I dont know what it is!?!" / "whatever it is, it is!" - The custom of collecting 'gossamer' especially in cookie tins was also popular in the UK, So its possible, perhaps that this custom migrated sometime shortly after the Edo Period (perhaps vise-versa?) -

There are some tales that there are families have been secretly passing them on in secret for generations: This Yokai is likely not talked about often, as it's said that if you show it to others, or if you look at it more than twice a year, it will lose it's lucky effect! So, for this reason: they're kept away from prying eyes and kept in a box like a lucky heirloom.

As for what it might actually be, Its often debated that its actually just a flax, dandelion or thistle seed floating in the breeze, other theories say that they're a sort of insect larvae, a type of cotton mold, or an Okinite crystal or pellet (fluffy animal poop) or perhaps even an gallstone! [which where used as an ingredient for Smallpox remedies in the Edo period.] - it's also been told that they're a type of "yokai egg", or a "Loquat tree spirit" [but there's very little lore I can find to them in those regards!!]

In general, I think its safe to say: if you're seeing something mysterious, white, floating and fluffy then its probably this cryptid. Whatever it be, it be~!!

if you're visiting japan, you can also visit some on display in the Himeji City Zoo or the Kamo Aquarium in Tsuruoka City! 

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, smaller sizes available on request. Check my shop & follow @samkalensky for many more!