Fire of the Akuro-gami – Cursed Ghost Light of Ise

Basic Description

A mysterious ghostly fire said to drift along rainy nights like a lantern. Recorded in late Edo essays such as Kansō Sadan and Shoshū Saiyakuki Shōroku as observed in Ise. Those who carelessly approach are struck by an illness like an epidemic. If encountered, one should lie flat and let it pass before fleeing. It hovers roughly 12 to 36 inches above the ground.

Folklore & Legends

Kansō Sadan notes that difficult passes in Ise teem with strange fires, especially on rainy nights, moving back and forth like hand lanterns. If one meets it and immediately lies down and curls up, the fire passes overhead and the person avoids sickness. Shoshū Saiyakuki Shōroku echoes this: in Ise there is a ghostly light called the “Fire of the Akuro-gami”; meeting it brings epidemic-like disease, so one should avoid it by prostrating. Sources differ on exact locations, and a direct tie to Igusafuchi is not firmly established.

Mysterious Flames of the Night

Phantom Fires and Flame Yokai

A multitude of phantom fires with various origins that illuminate nocturnal fields, shores, graveyards, and eaves. From the Uba-ga-bi of an old woman who stole oil, the flames igniting on straw raincoats on rainy nights, and the Shiranui lining the sea, to hitodama representing the souls of the dead—an illustrated catalog of fire-related fears compiled by artists like Toriyama Sekien.

Tsurube-bi (Bucket Fire)

Ubagabi (Old Woman’s Fire)

Shiranui

Furari-bi (Wandering Flame)

Chōchin-bi (Lantern Fire)

Grave Fire

Fire of the Akuro-gami

Minobi (Rain-cloak Fire)

Hitodama (Human Soul Fire)

Aburabō (Oil Wraith)

Oil Baby

Korōka (Ancient Lantern Fire)

Kazembō (Fire-Monk of Toribe Hill)

Tōdaiki (Human Candelabrum)

Collection Inclusion

This yokai is included in the following collections:

Fire Yokai and Ghost Lights | Onibi, Kitsunebi and Shiranui in Japanese Folklore

Explore Japanese fire yokai and ghost lights, including Hitodama, Shiranui, Tsurube-bi, Aosagibi, Kosenjōbi, Wanyūdō and Enenra, grouped by origin.

View collection

Detailed Analysis

A figure based on Edo-period records. On rainy nights it drifts low, coming and going like a procession of lantern lights. Rather than misleading travelers, it was dreaded for bringing illness to anyone who drew near, and the only recourse was to lie flat on the ground until it passed. Local names vary, and it is classed as one type of strange fire from Ise Province. Its substance is unknown, it makes little sound, and reports note few sensory details such as heat or odor even at close range.

Character Profile

This section is our own creative profile for storytelling. It is not historical fact or scholarship.

Yokai Type: Traditional Yokai
Category: Natural Phenomena Spirits
Rarity: Uncommon
Personality: impassive, unresponsive
Compatibility: feared for responding to public attention and wind and rain, afflicts those who approach
Abilities: appears on rainy nights and travels in connected linesfeared for bringing sickness to those who approachlingers until it passes overhead
Weaknesses: less harmful if one lies prone and waits it out, rarely seen in clear weather
Habitat: various locales of Ise Province, treacherous pools and mountain edges

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