Grave FireTraditional Iconography Edition

A grave-fire image based on Sekien’s iconography. The pairing of a ruined graveyard, overgrown thickets, and a five-ring stupa with worn Sanskrit letters symbolizes the idea of fire dwelling in places without kin or proper memorials. Early modern tales describe it as a phosphorescent flame rising from human fat or grave soil, yet also tell of cases where chanting sutras or repairing the stupa makes it vanish, showing the overlap of religious practice and naturalistic views. The flame drifts as if following human silhouettes, but slips away when touched. Malice is rare, and it is rumored to light the path ahead like a guide.

This yokai is included in the following collections:

Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki

Published in 1779, Toriyama Sekien’s sequel to Gazu Hyakki Yagyō adds notes to each yokai in three volumes: Rain, Dusk, and Dawn.

テーマ別

今昔画図続百鬼鳥山石燕

Fiery Yokai

A collection of fiery yokai—Furari-bi, Kosenjō-bi, Shiranui, Aosagabi—exploring Japan’s eerie lights and flames.

注目

火

Yokai with similar personality and characteristics to Traditional Iconography Edition

Battlefield Will-o'-Wisp

Battlefield Will-o’-the-Wisp (Classical Form)

94%

Compatibility

Korōka (Ancient Lantern Fire)

Sekien’s Koro-bi (Ancient Lantern-Fire)

92%

Compatibility

Hitodama (Human Soul Fire)

Hitodama (Traditional Tale Version)

91%

Compatibility

Yokai with opposite personality and characteristics to Traditional Iconography Edition

Sakata no Kintoki

The Herculean Boy of Mt. Ashigara: Sakata no Kintoki

65%

Compatibility

Hotei

Incarnation of Maitreya, the Laughing Monk, Hotei

66%

Compatibility

Chochin-obake (Lantern Ghost)

The Typical Lantern Ghost with a Long Tongue

66%

Compatibility