Shōgorō - 鉦五郎 - [Yokai | Tsukumogami]

Regular price: $8.00
Sale price: $8.00

Tax included.

• About this Yokai: a turtle-like Tsukumogami of an antique mini-gong called a shōgo (鉦吾) frequently used in buddhist services. At some point, the antiquated item combine with the soul of an wealthy aristocrat: The Shōgorō rings out every night in greif, as a reminder to be humble in your wealth & not to act conceited...

• History: a Tsukumogami which was included in Toriyama Sekiens Hyakki Tsuezure Bukuro [1781] (Horde of Haunted House wears) - included with it, was a short, punny explanation which goes as follows:

"Kogane-no-niwatori, a rooster cast in gold was the treasure of the house of Yodoya Tatsugoro. This gong is called "Shōgorō", perhaps it is made of gold too. So i dreamed."

[bg image via 'japandemonium']

a "Shogo" is a type of small (usually bronze) gong used frequently in buddhist services, and a "Goryo (御霊)" is a type of Yurei (Ghost) particularly referring to the lingering spirit of a aristocrat, or someone who was either rich, or once high ranked...

"Yodoya Tatsugoro" was an incredibly wealthy rice merchant from Osaka in the mid-Edo period (1603-1868) - His familys fortune was based in the rice trade, The assets the Yoduya family had amassed over five generations had apparently exceeded 100 million RYO!! - Kogane-no-niwatori (金の鶏, literally "golden chicken") was the families symbol and prized heirloom. - The family had become so wealthy that many of the local lords and daimyo where in a very deep debt to the Yodoya family... Tatsugoro's lavish lifestyle became the subject of constant scrutiny and seedy rumours. (Allegedly he was spending all of his money at brothels & was known to flaunt his cash around town.) These rumours eventually reached the shogunate government who took issue with his extravagant lifestyle. (it was "improper" for a low-class merchant to hold so much wealth over people of power!)

In 1705, using an accounting scandal the shogunate accused him of mishandling his wealth, confiscated all of his assets (including his families beloved golden hen)citing that it was "inappropriate to his status." Tatsugoro was banished from the capital cities & was said to have 'died of a broken heart' in the winter.

...There after, In various plays, dramas, and books. Tatsugoro (or perhaps the dramatized idea of him.) became widely known & characterized as a bit of an pompous, spoiled man who lived an overly luxurious, extravagant life, who constantly flaunted his wealth. - He basically became the perfect candidate for a 'goryo' ghost story... Put simply: This Tsukumogami is Yodoya Tatsugoros spirit, his grieving Soul, unable to find his beloved golden hen ((because the shogunate took it.)) as such, he was only able to attach itself to a simple golden gong. (The words for "golden" and "gong" can both be read the same, so perhaps Tatsugoros soul became confused.) - The instrument became a Tsukumogami, and the Shōgorō now rings out every night in grief, as a reminder to be humble in your wealth & not to act conceited.

[it should probably also be noted that this yokai was drawn by Toriyama Sekien just 66 years after Tatsugoros death (Toriyama would have been about 5 when Tatsugoro died, so he likely grew up hearing the stories about him.)]

Shōgorō - 鉦五郎 - [Yokai | Tsukumogami]

Customer Reviews