Happy Autumn. Happy Fall. Happy Hop–tu–Naa! Happy Harvest. Happy Samhain. There is something stirring in the airs of Autumn. Gets me every year. To celebrate the skies of an ever shifting twilight, when the spirits soar through the liminal film between this world and that of the beyond. When the night parade of daemons and tricksters travel and trove.
My annual foray into the Book of Thoth and dance with divination begins with a casting of cleromancy, the coins scatter in scaffolds of yin (陰 yīn) and yang (陽 yáng) of what’s to come. See, my family comes from a line of card dealing Romani. Shuffling the tarot into our genes for centuries all across Eastern Europe as they roamed about. Eventually landing in Augsburg, Germany then making their way to the United States. Despite our losses we never abandoned the cards. So every Autumn, when the world takes but the slightest interest in this history of pagans and the uncanny… ah, well I drink it up with absolute delight.
A healthy reminder of the impermanence and suchness of things.
Japan has a particularly unique expression of what we call “syncretism.” Think of syncretism as the ability to adapt to changing environments. Simple as that. In which characteristics of a culture are married with outside influences. We all do this, but Japan’s history with China and Korea, not to mention indigenous communities, have resulted in this rich assembly of folklores, religions, and animism that transcends definition. Ontologies arrived from Chinese and Korean traders who introduced Buddhism, Daoism, Hinduism, and the ever present Confucianism, while Japan provided various regional myths, legends, and lore.
These ingredients were brewed into distinct and effervescent cultures. They provided answers to villagers across Japan. Each region and hamlet responding accordingly by pasting outside influences upon their daily lives. Ctrl+C-ing some elements, and hitting the ole’ Ctrl+Alt+Del on others. These elements were transformed Japan’s landscape and ecosystem and bore entirely new generations of Deities and beliefs.
What I’m getting at here is that Japan has an ancient and relatively stable relationship with this tradition of syncretism. So it’s no wonder that here, a millennia later, in this same landscape it’s happening again… only virtually.
Needless to say I’m growing increasingly interested in this space where ontology and digital systems meet. Where virtual communities congregate over shared beliefs and “beliefs.” From cinema to manga, videogames to novels. And yes, more information on my thesis is coming shortly! Thank you for the outpouring of enthusiasm and encouragement!
Japanese folklore has had an enormous influence over videogames since the earliest days of the medium, as can be attested to by titles such as Pokémon, Super Mario Bros and Shin Megami Tensei. These games commonly draw upon Japanese yokai (monsters) and kami (deities) to inform the names and designs of characters, and they’re far from the only ones to do this.
From Animal Crossing to Dark Souls, evidence of yokai and kami can be observed throughout the world of videogames to such an extent that it’s almost impossible to ignore. So, today, we’re going to look at eight of the most notable examples.
Pokemon is but one of a handful of videogames utilizing Japanese shrine culture (Pokeballs) and kami encyclopedias (Pokedex). Otherwise known as “the filth licker”, the akaname is a demon frequently portrayed with a huge tongue, and a single claw on each foot. It was reported to frequent bathrooms at night and to lick grime and dirt off the walls and floor. More recently, however, it’s been responsible for sparking the imagination of Japanese artists.
The bipedal Pokémon Lickitung is a sign of this. Its long, prehensile tongue and clawed feet are directly inspired by the akaname. It also enjoys cleaning too, which further connects it to its ancestor.
Worth noting is the fact that Lickitung isn’t the only character to draw on the iconography of this spirit. Yo-Kai Watch also boasts its own variation on the akaname, which is perhaps the more faithful rendition.
You might recognize Kapp’n as the green sea turtle who ferries villagers to Tortimer Island in the Animal Crossing games. But did you know that he’s not actually meant to be a turtle at all but a water spirit called a kappa?
Kappas are mischievous spirits said to haunt rivers, ponds and lakes. They were often blamed for drowning horses and in some cases children, so to appease them individuals would throw cucumbers (the kappa’s favorite food) into water prior to bathing or swimming. This would allow them to swim unmolested.
The depiction of the kappa as malevolent has somewhat softened over time. It has instead given way to a more lighthearted representation—one that doesn’t involve murder or drowning. It’s this 20th century reinterpretation of the kappa that inspired the character of Kapp’n in the Animal Crossing games. Similarities between Kapp’n and the kappa include their appearance, their name (in the Japanese version of the game at least) and their mutual love of cucumbers.
Traditionally the nurikabe was a wall-shaped demon that would impede the way of travelers at night. Only by hitting it in a very specific spot could you pass and carry on along the way. Sound familiar? It should. The nurakabe served as the main inspiration for Whomps in Super Mario 64. Shared characteristics involve its method of elimination—you smash it to pieces by targeting a weak area—and its design, which closely resembles illustrations of the yokai created by the esteemed manga artist Shigeru Mizuki.
Gashadokuros are mythical creatures comprised of the bones of people who have died of starvation. They appear in the Yo-kai Watch series of games, albeit with no mention to their traditional origin.
In the second Yokai-Watch game you encounter a gashadokuro when trying to retrieve a Mr. Epockman capsule from a gashapon machine. Seeing you struggle, this skeletal creature goes out of his way to make the job even more difficult, assuming control of the machine you’re using. To vanquish the demon, you must battle him with your Yo-Kai friends. Should you be successful, you’ll then be rewarded with the capsule that you desire.
18th Century Woodblock: “Souma no furudairi (相馬の古内裏)” also known as “Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre”.
It goes without saying that capsule toys play no part in the original stories about the gashadokuro. His love of gashapon can therefore be seen as an attempt to make the character appeal to a younger demographic. This toy was arguably chosen over other types for having the same pre-fix as the demon’s name.
The mythical Quelaag or “whore spider” is found throughout Japanese culture. Commonly portrayed as a spider that assumes the form of a beautiful woman to ensnare passers-by, it’s been responsible for inspiring a slew of humanoid spiders throughout the years. Quelaag from Dark Souls, for example, is based on this mythical beast. From the waist up she appears to be an attractive female, though her lower body betrays her more sinister nature.
It’s worth mentioning that she isn’t the sole example of a jor?gumo in gaming too. The videogame Okami is also notable for featuring a character with both human and spider characteristics.
Okami isn’t shy about the influence of Japanese folklore on its narrative. Amaterasu, the protagonist, is very clearly modeled after the kami of the same name that appears in the Shinto religion. In the game, Amaterasu’s role is to combat Orochi, an 8-headed dragon demon. Awoken from her slumber through the use of a magical mirror, she’s ordered to locate the Celestial Brush gods, to master new powers and restore the world to normal.
The videogame Okami is somewhat unusual in that it presents Amaterasu as a white wolf—something not referenced in any historical text. That doesn’t devalue the experience, though, as there’s tons of familiar iconography on display elsewhere. Examples include the magical mirror used to free Amaterasu and the blade of Kusanagi needed to slay Orochi.
Himiko – Left: Tomb Raider, 2013 // Right: Historic Japanese Woodblock, Date ????
According to the Chinese travel record, the Gishi no Wajiden, Empress Himiko (卑弥呼, c. 170–248 AD) aka Shingi Waō (親魏倭王, “Ruler of Wa, Friend of Wei”) – aka Pimiko – was the ruler of a place called Yamatai. The Yamatai court appears in several ancient Japanese documents and is considered to have been a prosperous center of Japanese culture in the past. However, the exact location of Yamatai is unknown.
The Japanese people of Wa [倭人] dwell in the middle of the ocean on the mountainous islands southeast of [the prefecture of] Tai-fang. They formerly comprised more than one hundred communities. During the Han dynasty, [Wa envoys] appeared at the Court; today, thirty of their communities maintain intercourse [with us] through envoys and scribes. [5]
c. 180-280 CE. Volume 30 of the “Book of Wei” (魏書) of the Records of the Three Kingdoms (三国志).[4] This section is the first description of Himiko (Pimiko) and Yamatai
One of the more chilling monsters on the list, the amanojaku was thought to provoke people into doing evil deeds against their will, as well as devouring human beings before wearing their skin. It makes an appearance in the videogame Shin Megami Tensei.
Returning home, Kazuya discovers his mother acting weird. She bids him to come closer, but something isn’t right; a monstrous voice emanates from the familiar figure. Realizing the form in front of him isn’t actually his mother, he demands it reveal itself. Shedding its disguise, the creature then transforms, claiming to be an amanojaku.
In Stock Pott Inn, in East Clock Town, you may want to think twice about using the lavatory. Why? Simply put, it’s home to a demon known as an aka manto.
Traditionally, the aka manto is portrayed as a hand extending out of a toilet. In a ghostly voice, they’ve been known to ask visitors in the past to pick between blue and red paper. If the person answers blue it is said that they’ll die by strangulation. But if they answer red it’s stated that they’ll be torn to shreds.
Rather than killing those who come across it, the aka manto in The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask offers rewards to anyone who gives it paper. It isn’t as malicious as the classic portrayal outlined above. Though that still doesn’t prevent it from being an unsettling presence.
What feature, creatures, and allusions have you encountered in popular culture? Let me know in the links below!
Here’s something you don’t see everyday. A Resource for the uncanny. An alternative for the humdrum scuzz of your everyday Buzz.
Feed the beast no more.
Here’s the thing. And it yours. A syncopated heartbeat meant to delight and please. This is not the news. Not the media. There’s nothing social about it. I’m not here to spread with ease the sorrows of our world but celebrate* that which makes our world so delicious – and yes, I mean that in every sense of the word.
Welcome to the inaugural blast of Musings. A one-stop where you may harvest a little social currency while jamming to unfamiliar sounds. Who knows what we’ll uncover when our minds begin to wonder. Who knows, perhaps we’ll reap a little cultural literacy. while we’re at it.
Dig in: A veritable roundup of music, news, events, and thoughts on our world.
Expect every WW to feature:
Pod of the Week
Recipes
Things that which inspire
Things about which to inquire
This is the pulse of my week. A flood of things that inspire, and things about which to inquire.
Reflections of the world in retrospect. Emergent movements.
Blogs I’m Reading? Here’s the thing, I’m two days late on a report for my East Asian Philosophies course. So for sake of brevity I’m sending you to the delightfully prosaic Namiko-san for a tour through her favorite Japanese films. 12 Beloved Japanese Films
Well. That about sums up my life this week. How about you? Feel free to text-bomb your life’s story below and I look forward to knowing you better.
Until then I’ll leave you with this message from my sponsor: “We live in unprecedented times” blah-blah-blah, you know the drill. Not gonna bore you with details. But this is true. Now more than ever. MORE THAN EVER. We must band together as non-Canadians and fight the good fight. CAN Imperialism must be. But down that curling stick and invest in less moose.*
*nor am I here to spread toxic positivity: aiming instead for something in-between reality and emergent elation
*who am I kidding, If it were 1966, Canada would be the first place on my mind.
It is my immense pleasure to welcome you to the airy, the eerie, the all-at-once sensual, hysterical, and downright phenomenal Floating World of East Asian literature
Oh, but that’s not all we’re doing, we’ll venture across the foothills of Southern China, encountering wandering monks, greedy children, and blushing princes.
We’ll see just how lethal poetry can be – you thought Romeo and Juliet had it bad! We’ll dodge monsters in the mountains of Korea and learn about the travels of curry (is it a dish, a spice, a state of mind?) and how that mysterious food got its name as a myriad of dishes from thousands of hearths across India.
We’ll dance through fairytales with spirits and sprites up the Himalayas, across the shores of Polynesia, and maybe even walk the sands of San Francisco (you’ll see).
Legends and lore. And yes, anime. I’m interested in the way pop culture inherits content from the past, likewise influences our own understanding of that past. How does Shinto manifest in modern art? How do the old sages such as Laozi fit into our technocratic spirituality? And so on. Please, if there is a topic you’d like researched let’s hear it!
Slow and low… that’s the tempo: This is a joint passion project as scratch through the final draft of my thesis. So please bear with me. This semester is sure to be… Challenging? Demanding?
While the official launch of my new site may not be until mid-Fall 2021 I’d love for you to introduce yourself.
Become a Patron! Your patronage relieves the pressures of student debt, part-time gigs, and angry take-out diners (am I right!), enabling me to balance academic and outside research while sharing my passion with you, the world. Thank you for your time and support.
2021年秋に来る。それまで
Cheers, Nicholas
P.S. For those of you that have stuck around since from the early days of my meandering essays: thank you, thank you, thank you. Your support fuels my craft. Feeding me the inspiration and drive to continue writing. So thank you. Truly. I wanted to let you know that as of Fall 2022 I am a recipient of the Gilman Foundation, essentially meaning that I’ve received sponsorship from the United States government to continue my research in Japan… Unfortunately due to the risk of COVID I may need to forgo my studies. BUT, I am thrilled to share this with you and wanted to extend my thanks.
As our world grows increasingly smaller it’s easier than ever to seek refuge in the comfort of familiar places. Yet, we live in a time when thoughts and ideas manifest in flashes of delight, th blink of an eye and round-the-world travel is at the fingertips of risk-takers and adventurers alike. I see Marco Polo and Gertrude Bell in the men and women I met abroad. Sharing the road, sharing tales of individual split-second experiences worth more than time itself.
I started blogging back in 2012, shortly after moving to Jordan — not only to share my story and to learn from others, but to inspire, to instill the momentum it takes to lace up ones boots and hit the road. It wasn’t until I found myself alone in a most foreign country that I felt the hot passion of life. Where my native tongue was about as useful as the moo! of a cow and most the time, I had no idea what the hell I was putting in my mouth… but it tasted good and I wanted more! And that is why you must hit the “road”. The proverbial road, for there is nowhere to go that you haven’t already been. Embrace the self. Sure, you can move and dance and mingle about the planet but everything you need you have, and everything you have is now.
Don’t be victimized by the culture of fear. Our planet is waiting to be explored, to reveal it’s secrets to you, to me, to any who dare ask, it will expose you to the raw truths of life. To the quarks of distant cultures and alien tongues. To disgusting foods and delicious cuisines, to dangerous and countless blessings.
Let’s take control of 2021, hell own your ’22. It’s all a roundabout anyway. Metrical dancing of the cosmic surf. Don’t be afraid to leap without the look. I encourage you to take off the training wheels and take on the road less traveled.
Nicholas Andriani 