Sōgenbi – 叢原火 – [Yokai]

Description

Sōgenbi – (JP: 叢原火)

•About this Yokai: An oil thief, condemned to spend eternity burning for his sins as a ghostly blue ball of fire. appears on rainy evenings outside of Mibu-dera.

• Early appearances: A Legend from the 1600’s “Shin Otogi Boko” goes that Sōgen was a wicked monk of the “Mibu-dera” temple in southern Kyoto. (one of the oldest temples in Japan.) During his life, For many years, he would steal money from the offerings box, as well as oil, which he then would sell in secret. – As a result, when he grew old and died, he went to hell! Now on rainy evenings, his ghostly face still appears floating, burning in anguish. Some sources say that his flame appears blue (though hes often quite drawn with red/orange flames.

[As he appears in Toriyama Sekiens 1776 Gazu Hyakki Yagyo.] – “Said to appear near mibudera temple south of saiinm locat ed otuside of kyoto. there they call it “Sogens fire of Suzaku.”

• Sams take: He’s supposed to look somewhat pained… Maybe hes blowing the fire because he’s hot, but hes actually just making it worse…AAAA!!

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