Akaname

ah-kah-nah-meh

Also Known As

Akaneburi(垢舐)

Aka-neburi(垢ねぶり)

Akaname

ah-kah-nah-meh

Basic Description

Akaname is a yokai said to appear in old bathhouses or abandoned bathrooms. It is usually depicted as an impish child with a long tongue, sneaking in during the night to lick the grime, mold, and scum stuck to tubs and walls. Although rarely described as harming humans directly, its very appearance was regarded as an omen of uncleanness and served as a cautionary tale to keep the bath area clean. Alternate names include Akaneburi and Aka-neburi.

Folklore & Legends

Akaname appears in Edo-period picture scrolls and books. Toriyama Sekien’s Gazu Hyakki Yagyō illustrates it as a long-tongued demon child. In Motochika Yamaoka’s Kokon Hyaku Monogatari Hyōban, it is said to be born from filth and grime, dwelling in old bathhouses. Genki’s Nittō Honzō Zusan describes it as resembling an infant with round eyes and a long tongue, appearing at night to lick the filth of bathtubs. While few local folk variations exist, the creature is consistently portrayed as a symbolic warning against uncleanliness.

Detailed Analysis

For more detailed information and diagnosis results about 伝統図像・風呂場怪童型, please click here.

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