Uploaded May 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
We interact with objects in our surroundings every day; but it's not every day that you see an umbrella sprouting legs, instruments playing themselves, or theatrical masks transform into many-faced monsters. These are examples of tsukumogami, Japanese mythical creatures that are objects come alive. In some sources they are friendly, in others they march in the infamous Night Parade of 100 Demons, and in one text they even serve as vehicle for a Buddhist teaching of enlightenment. Join as we explore the roles of tsukumogami from Classical Japan through the modern day.
Mythos & Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story & Meaning.”
Support the channel by subscribing, liking, and commenting to join the conversation!
Support the channel financially through your generous Patreon donation: patreon.com/mythosandlogos
This channel is a collection of thoughts of one person on the important stories that we humans have shared with each other. I believe that, in respectfully approaching storytelling traditions, we can find timeless wisdom and beauty that apply to modern life. I do my best to find and share that wisdom. I encourage you to share your thoughts and stories as well.
The stories presented here have all been freely shared by their original tellers. I encourage you to study each story directly and consult traditional sources whenever possible.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:04 Tsukumogami from Hyakki-Yagyō-Emaki, Muromachi Period
00:18 Kukai (Kobo Daishi) Practicing the Tantra with a Demon (Oni) and Wolf by Katsushika Hokusai
00:19 Crow-Tengu (Karasu-Tengu), late Edo period, photographed by Wolfgang Michel, licensed under Creative Commons
00:25 Kasa-Obake from the Mukashi Banashi Bakemono Sugoroku by Utagawa Yoshikazu, image upscaled via use of artificial intelligence
00:28 Illustration from One Hundred Demons by Kawanabe Kyōsai
00:30 Menreiki from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
00:35 The Lantern Ghost, Iwa, by Hokusai
00:45 A New Collection of Monsters by Utagawa Shigekiyo
01:21 A World of Spirits
02:05 Illustration from One Hundred Demons by Kawanabe Kyōsai
02:52 Kotofurunushi from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
02:58 Heiroku from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
03:04 Minowaraji from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
03:11 Yarikechō and Koinryō and Zenfushō from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
04:23 A Higher Nature
04:43 Fuguruma-yōki from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
05:01 Kura-yarō from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
05:05 Kyōrinrin from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
05:16 Tofukahi and Ichimotoashi by Utagawa Kunisada
05:29 Daishinpan Bakemono Tobimawari Sugoroku published by Izutsuya Bunsuke
05:39 Ōeyama Emaki, Tokugawa Period, from the Chester Beatty Library
06:00 Shigisan Engi Emaki, Heian Period, from Chōgosonshi-ji
06:38 Kukai (Kobo Daishi) Practicing the Tantra with a Demon (Oni) and Wolf by Katsushika Hokusai
06:56 Mahāvairocana Sutra, from Kukai: Major Works by Yoshito S Hakeda
07:31 Yama-oroshi from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
07:37 Shamichōrō from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
07:57 Tsukumogami Today
08:37 Tsukumogami Kashimasu, reproduced under Fair Use per United States Copyright Office Circular 21, Reproductions of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians
09:49 Stories | How to Greet Your Home | KonMari, reproduced under Fair Use per United States Copyright Office Circular 21, Reproductions of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians
10:48 Tsukumogami, Goblins of Tea Things and Utensils by Ito Jakuchu
All works of art are in the public domain unless stated otherwise.
Stock video clips licensed through Storyblocks.
Ambiment - The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
We interact with objects in our surroundings every day; but it's not every day that you see an umbrella sprouting legs, instruments playing themselves, or theatrical masks transform into many-faced monsters. These are examples of tsukumogami, Japanese mythical creatures that are objects come alive. In some sources they are friendly, in others they march in the infamous Night Parade of 100 Demons, and in one text they even serve as vehicle for a Buddhist teaching of enlightenment. Join as we explore the roles of tsukumogami from Classical Japan through the modern day.
Mythos & Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story & Meaning.”
Support the channel by subscribing, liking, and commenting to join the conversation!
Support the channel financially through your generous Patreon donation: patreon.com/mythosandlogos
This channel is a collection of thoughts of one person on the important stories that we humans have shared with each other. I believe that, in respectfully approaching storytelling traditions, we can find timeless wisdom and beauty that apply to modern life. I do my best to find and share that wisdom. I encourage you to share your thoughts and stories as well.
The stories presented here have all been freely shared by their original tellers. I encourage you to study each story directly and consult traditional sources whenever possible.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:04 Tsukumogami from Hyakki-Yagyō-Emaki, Muromachi Period
00:18 Kukai (Kobo Daishi) Practicing the Tantra with a Demon (Oni) and Wolf by Katsushika Hokusai
00:19 Crow-Tengu (Karasu-Tengu), late Edo period, photographed by Wolfgang Michel, licensed under Creative Commons
00:25 Kasa-Obake from the Mukashi Banashi Bakemono Sugoroku by Utagawa Yoshikazu, image upscaled via use of artificial intelligence
00:28 Illustration from One Hundred Demons by Kawanabe Kyōsai
00:30 Menreiki from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
00:35 The Lantern Ghost, Iwa, by Hokusai
00:45 A New Collection of Monsters by Utagawa Shigekiyo
01:21 A World of Spirits
02:05 Illustration from One Hundred Demons by Kawanabe Kyōsai
02:52 Kotofurunushi from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
02:58 Heiroku from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
03:04 Minowaraji from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
03:11 Yarikechō and Koinryō and Zenfushō from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
04:23 A Higher Nature
04:43 Fuguruma-yōki from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
05:01 Kura-yarō from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
05:05 Kyōrinrin from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
05:16 Tofukahi and Ichimotoashi by Utagawa Kunisada
05:29 Daishinpan Bakemono Tobimawari Sugoroku published by Izutsuya Bunsuke
05:39 Ōeyama Emaki, Tokugawa Period, from the Chester Beatty Library
06:00 Shigisan Engi Emaki, Heian Period, from Chōgosonshi-ji
06:38 Kukai (Kobo Daishi) Practicing the Tantra with a Demon (Oni) and Wolf by Katsushika Hokusai
06:56 Mahāvairocana Sutra, from Kukai: Major Works by Yoshito S Hakeda
07:31 Yama-oroshi from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
07:37 Shamichōrō from Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien
07:57 Tsukumogami Today
08:37 Tsukumogami Kashimasu, reproduced under Fair Use per United States Copyright Office Circular 21, Reproductions of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians
09:49 Stories | How to Greet Your Home | KonMari, reproduced under Fair Use per United States Copyright Office Circular 21, Reproductions of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians
10:48 Tsukumogami, Goblins of Tea Things and Utensils by Ito Jakuchu
All works of art are in the public domain unless stated otherwise.
Stock video clips licensed through Storyblocks.
Ambiment - The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
