Keukegen – 毛羽毛現 – [Yokai]

Description

Keukegen – (Jp:毛羽毛現)

• About this Yokai: Keukegen are dirty little balls of hair that somewhat resemble a puppy. – However, keukegen is a spirit of disease, so it does not make a good pet: it’s fur is incredibly Dirty, Dusty and Greasy. They’re very rarely seen, and typically live under the floorboards of old residences sweeping up hair that falls through the cracks (like a sentient dust bunny) – it’s presence alone can spread disease, and the mess can also attract more dangerous yokai. If you aren’t careful Kukegan will grow very tall become a nuisance. – Best to sweep up before this guy has a chance to!!

•Early Appearances & History: Originally illustrated as part of Toriyama Sekien’s “Konjaku Hyakki Shūi” – [今昔百鬼拾遺] [1781]  his entry goes as follows: –

“Perhaps Keu-kegen is so called because it is covered in hair like Mojo. Also written with different characters reading “strange-and-hard-to-see” as it is uncommon and encounters are extremely rare.” [Japandemonium 2017]

[Toriyama Sekien’s “Konjaku Hyakki Shūi” – [今昔百鬼拾遺] [1781]

Its name is a bit of a pun, Keu-kegen when written one way means “A fluffy hairy sight” but when written another, means “an unusual thing which is rarely seen” or its “rare and dubious.” – if i had to guess at the time it was related to an concepts similar to “dust bunnies.”  – (“Mojo” or “maoru” in chinese is one of the Taoist immortals, shes covered in hair from head to toe! the fact that Sekien felt no need to elaborate means that she was very well known at the time.)

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!