Abura-sumashi
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Abura_sumashi_montage.jpg/220px-Abura_sumashi_montage.jpg)
Abura-sumashi (油すまし, "Oil Presser") is a rare creature from the folklore of Amakusa in Kumamoto Prefecture that lives in the mountain passes of Kumamoto.[1]
Mythology
This spirit, which surprises people on the Kusazumigoe mountain pass,[citation needed] is thought to be the ghost of a human who stole oil and fled into the woods.[citation needed]
In the days before electricity, oil was a very valuable commodity, necessary for lighting and heating a house. As such, it was thought that the theft of oil, particularly from temples and shrines, could lead to punishment via reincarnation as a yōkai.[2]
In many stories an old grandmother walking a mountain pass with her grandchildren will say, “You know, a long time ago, an abura-sumashi used to live in these parts,” and a mysterious voice will call out in reply, “I still do!”[2] Or on rare occasions the abura-sumashi will appear to the travelers, materializing out of thin air.[citation needed]
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,"[2] an appearance inspired by the artwork of Shigeru Mizuki.[3]
References
- ^ "Aburasumashi". Kaii-Yōkai Denshō Database. Retrieved October 10, 2006.
- ^ a b c "Aburasumashi". The Obakemono Project. Archived from the original on February 6, 2006. Retrieved February 21, 2006.
- ^ "Sumoto-town (Home of Aburasumashi-don)". asahi.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved October 16, 2006.
- v
- t
- e
- Awa Tanuki Gassen
- Bunbuku Chagama
- Hachikazuki
- Hakuzōsu
- Hanasaka Jiisan
- Hyakki Yagyō
- Issun-bōshi
- Kachi-kachi Yama
- Kasa Jizō
- Kintarō
- Kobutori Jiisan
- Kurozuka
- Momotarō
- Nezumi no Sumō
- Oto-hime
- Saru Kani Gassen
- Shita-kiri Suzume
- Taketori Monogatari
- Tamamo-no-Mae
- Tawara Tōda
- Tsuru no Ongaeshi
- Urashima Tarō
- Uriko-hime
- Yamata no Orochi
- Yotsuya Kaidan
- Abura-akago
- Abura-sumashi
- Aka Manto
- Akaname
- Akashita
- Akateko
- Akuma
- Amabie
- Aoandon
- Amanojaku
- Amanozako
- Amazake-babaa
- Amefurikozō
- Ameonna
- Amikiri
- Aobōzu
- Aonyōbō
- Aosaginohi
- Ashinagatenaga
- Ayakashi
- Azukiarai
- Bake-kujira
- Baku
- Basan
- Binbōgami
- Chimimōryō
- Daidarabotchi
- Dodomeki
- Dorotabō [ja]
- Dragon
- Enenra
- Funayūrei
- Furaribi
- Fūri
- Futakuchi-onna
- Gagoze
- Gashadokuro
- Goryō
- Hanako-san
- Harionago
- Hashihime
- Hibagon
- Hiderigami
- Hinezumi [ja]
- Hito-gitsune
- Hitotsume-kozō
- Hitotsume-nyūdō
- Hone-onna
- Hyōsube
- Ikiryō
- Ikuchi
- Inugami
- Ishinagenjo
- Isonade
- Janjanbi
- Jinmenju
- Jorōgumo
- Jubokko
- Kaibyō
- Kamaitachi
- Kamikiri
- Kappa
- Kasa-obake
- Kasha
- Kawauso
- Keukegen
- Kijimuna
- Kinoko
- Kirin
- Kitsune
- Kitsunebi
- Kodama
- Komainu
- Konaki-jiji
- Korpokkur
- Koromodako
- Kotobuki
- Kuchisake-onna
- Kuda-gitsune
- Kudan
- Kumiho
- Kuzunoha
- Kyubi
- Mazoku
- Mikaribaba
- Mikoshi-nyūdō
- Misaki
- Mizuchi
- Mokumokuren
- Momiji
- Mononoke
- Mōryō
- Mujina
- Namahage
- Namazu
- Ningyo
- Noderabō
- Noppera-bō
- Nue
- Nuppeppō
- Nurarihyon
- Nure-onna
- Nurikabe
- Nyūdō-bōzu
- Obake
- Oboroguruma
- Oiwa
- Okiku
- Okubi
- Ōmukade
- Oni
- Ibaraki-dōji
- Kijo/Onibaba
- Kidōmaru
- Rashōmon no oni
- Shuten-dōji
- Onibi
- Onihitokuchi
- Onikuma
- Onryō
- Ōnyūdō
- Ootakemaru
- Osakabehime
- Osaki
- Otoroshi
- Ouni
- Raijū
- Rokurokubi
- Samebito
- Sankai
- Satori
- Sazae-oni
- Shachihoko
- Shidaidaka
- Shikigami
- Shikome
- Shinigami
- Shiranui
- Shirime
- Shiryō
- Shōjō
- Shōkera
- Shussebora [ja]
- Sōjōbō
- Sunekosuri
- Takaonna
- Tanuki
- Ten
- Tengu
- Tennin
- Tenome
- Tesso
- Tōfu-kozō
- Tsuchigumo
- Tsuchinoko
- Tsukumogami
- Tsurara-onna
- Tsurubebi
- Tsurube-otoshi
- Ubagabi
- Ubume
- Umibōzu
- Umi zatō
- Ushi-oni
- Uwan
- Waira
- Wanyūdō
- Yako
- Yamabiko
- Yamajijii
- Yama-uba
- Yamawaro
- Yanari
- Yobuko
- Yōkai
- Yōsei
- Yosuzume
- Yuki-onna
- Yume no seirei
- Yūrei
- Zashiki-warashi