Zashiki-warashi

, are a Japanese "yōkai", stemming from Iwate Prefecture, similar to a domovoi.

The name breaks down to "zashiki", a tatami floored room, and "warashi", an archaic regional term for a child. The appearance of this spirit is that of a 5 or 6 year child with bobbed hair and a red face. "Zashiki-warashi" can be found in well-maintained and preferably large old houses. It is said that once a "zashiki-warashi" inhabits a house, it brings the residence great fortune; on the other hand, should a "zashiki-warashi" depart, the domain soon falls into a steep decline.

To attract and maintain a "zashiki-warashi" in the home, it is said the spirit must be noticed, appreciated and cared for properly, much in the manner one would raise a child, though too much attention may drive it off. As the "zashiki-warashi" is child-like in nature, it is prone to playing harmless pranks and occasionally causing mischief. They might for instance sit on a guest's futon, turn people's pillows over or cause sounds similar to "kagura" music to be heard from rooms no one uses. Sometimes they leave little footsteps in ashes. There are different variations as to who can see the zashiki-warashi; usually this is limited to inhabitants of the house, sometimes to children.

The Ryokufūsō in Kindaichi-Onsen is famous for its "zashiki-warashi". "Yōkai" similar to "zashiki-warashi" in other parts of Japan include the "makuragaeshi" in Ishikawa Prefecture, the "akashaguma" or "kurabokko" in Tokushima Prefectureand the "akashaguma" living in the Kotohira Shrine.

External references

* [http://www1.ourtokushima.net/kankyou/seikatsubunka/awalife/march02/zashiki.htm The Last of the Zashiki-warashi] , "Awa Life", March 2002
* [http://www.karankoron.com/geta_yuki_zasikiwarasi.html The Story of Zashiki-warashi no geta] , Nanbu Kiri Geta Preservation Society
* [http://www9.plala.or.jp/ryokufuso/index02.html The Ryokufūsō HOTEL Japan]