KotoFurunushi – 琴古主 – [Yokai | Tsukumogami]

Koto-Furunushi – 琴古主 – [Yokai | Tsukumogami]

• About this yokai: The Koto is Japan’s national instrument, its a long, 13-stringed, floor harp. – Koto-furunushi: translating to”Old Master Koto” is a Tsukumogami based off of said instrument, it is also an anthropomorphization of the older, forgotten styles of playing the music. – Instruments are often said to become tsukumogami when they’ve been neglected by their owners, gone unpracticed and left sitting in storage for years, or even decades at a time! – They are often depicted (humorously) seeking revenge against the musicians who’ve neglected their practice or repair. – Koto Furunushi is often included along side Biwa-Boku-Boku & Shami-choro, The three are often said to be a trio that play forgotten songs and tunes together as a band. – These yokai serve as a reminder to practice diligently & to not let the old instruments & ways of playing be forgotten.

• History:This yokai appears in some of the earliest “Hyakki Yagyo Emaki” edo period picture scrolls, An unnamed Koto-Yokai, is often seen being led along by an un-named biwa yokai. from under the koto, it sprouts lizard-like appendanges, a tail and a fuzzy face from the bottom. this is likely because parts of the instrument were named after the instruments likeness to a dragon, stretched out along the ground. – the top ends are written with Chinese characters, meaning “dragon’s back” (ryuko) and “dragon’s tail.” (ryubi) – Thus the earlier lizard-like appearances of this yokai are likely a visual pun based on that!