Bakezōri (literally "ghost slipper") is a fictional creature from Japanese folklore that is a Tsukumogami, belonging to the group of Yōkais. It is a discarded slipper that turns into a Tsukumogami when abandoned for the 100th year. At night, they will return to their former owners' houses, running around chantting loudly "kararin, kororin, kankororin" (three eyes, three eyes and two teeth).
The Bakezōri is described as a wandering sandal with two arms and two legs, but only one eye. He is said to spook inhabited households during the night, running around and continuously chanting: "Kararin, kororin, kankororin, managu mittsu ni ha ninmai!" ("Kararin, kororin, kankororin! Two eyes, three eyes and two teeth!"). Most possibly he's mocking his "more noble cousins", the famous Geta. "Eyes three" refers to the three holes where the sandal straps are attached and "teeth two" refers to the two wooden platforms which are attached to the understand of Japanese sandals.
Design model of the Bakezōri may have been Zōri, traditional sandals made of braided rice straw.
The being Bakezōri belongs to a special group of Yōkai, called Tsukumogami (artifact-demons“): According to Japanese folklore, households are like repair tools, kitchen appliances and even clothes of any kind which eventually come to life and receive their own consciousness when ignored or neglected for a long time (mostly after 100 years). Bakezōri are said to be normally harmless to humans, but they can start to rip or pester them. Their motivation is boredom and frustration, or simply revenge and jealousy. Most Bakezōri group up with other animated household stuff or clothes. Or they simply leave home and run away.
📚 Explore more of the Mystical Creatures series here: Dive into the Enchanted Realms of Mythology
Comments
Post a Comment