Abura-sumashi

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Abura-sumashi (油すまし) is a creature in from the folklore of Amakusa in Kumamoto prefecture. Abura (油) means "oil" in Japanese, while "sumashi" is from Amakusa slang for "press", "wring" or "squeeze". This spirit, which surprises people on a certain mountain pass, is thought to be the ghost of a human who stole oil. In the days before electricity, oil was a very valuable commodity, necessary for lighting and heating a house. As such, the theft of oil, particularly from temples and shrines, could lead to punishment via reincarnation as a yōkai.

In modern media the abura-sumashi is often depicted as a squat creature with a straw-coat covered body and a potato-like or stony head, an appearance inspired by the artwork of Shigeru Mizuki.

[edit] References

• Aburasumashi. The Obakemono Project. Retrieved on February 21, 2006.
• Aburasumashi. Kaī-Yōkai Denshō Database. Retrieved on October 10, 2006.
• Aburasumashi. Dictionary of Pandaemonium. Retrieved on October 10, 2006.
• Sumoto-town (Home of Aburasumashi-don). asahi.com. Retrieved on October 16, 2006.

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