Koshinuke No mushi – 腰抜の虫 – [Yokai | Kannomushi]

Description

Koshinuke No mushi – 腰抜の虫 – ‘Lumbar worm.’  – [Yokai | Kannomushi]

• About this yokai: A cowardly parasite with butterfly-like wings & a dragonfly like body  it has a trident like, pokey tail. It enters the body through unkown means; it is found zipping around at great speeds in the lower back area, causing pins and needles. Eventually it wraps itself around the hosts spine & causes sweating, chest tightness, vomiting, and eventually a slipped disk using its tail as a pry. The host has trouble moving, and as the bug flies through the body the host will find themselves choking.

• Cure: Fortunately, it’s cured by ingesting herbal medicine, especially Mokkō (Thistle Roots) and Licorice!

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

The original from 1568 via Kyoto museum. image source: https://collection.kyuhaku.jp/application/?at=advanced/detail&dpage=4&id=2229

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!