Aburabō (Oil Wraith)Abura-bō (Traditional Form)

At the core of Abura-bō is the guilt of misappropriating oil meant for temple and shrine lamps, manifesting as a spirit flame. Early modern records and local lore place its appearances around the foothills of Mount Hiei and temple precincts across Ōmi, most often from dusk to midnight in late spring through early summer. It takes the form of a small orange to yellow fireball, or the shadow of a monk cradling an oil jar, following a set course over gates, halls, and pond embankments before vanishing. Its voice is uncertain, though some regional tales mention indistinct murmurings. Names vary by area—“Abura-bō,” “Oil Thief,” “Oil Returned”—all carrying a folk warning about taboos surrounding oil and the need for proper rites. Specific individuals or temple names differ across sources, but the strict management of lamp oil in temple society likely fostered these tales. Methods to calm it include sutra chanting, burial of offerings, and restoring lamp offerings, though no fixed formula is known.

Displaying the Maya calendar KINs that Aburabō (Oil Wraith) (Abura-bō (Traditional Form)) protects.

Yokai with similar personality and characteristics to Abura-bō (Traditional Form)

Oil Baby

Sekien Iconography Edition

95%

Compatibility

Lamp-less Soba Stall

Honjo Seven Wonders Type

94%

Compatibility

The Seven Companions

Collected Tradition Edition (Shikoku Type)

93%

Compatibility

Yokai with opposite personality and characteristics to Abura-bō (Traditional Form)

Hotei

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56%

Compatibility

Fukurokuju

Three-Stars-in-One Long-Headed Deity, Fukurokuju

59%

Compatibility

Ame-no-uzume

The Laughing Dancer Who Opens the Rock Cave

61%

Compatibility