Based on images from illustrated Edo-period strange tales. It hides in northern mountains and fields and moves from twilight into early night. It appears as a small beast like a badger or a giant flying squirrel, and when attacking it blinds a person to sow confusion. Sources describe two modes: one covers the victim’s face with its whole body, the other spits a bat-like thing that clings to the face. Some accounts say it drinks blood, while later interpretations suggest it steals carried food while the victim’s sight is blocked. Historical conflation with badgers, tanuki, nobusuma, and bats led to shifting names and traits. A simple defense recorded is to keep rolled ear-shaped leaves in one’s bosom, though details vary by region and era. Avoids modern embellishment and follows classical picture compendia.
Character Profile
This section is our own creative profile for storytelling. It is not historical fact or scholarship.
Yokai Type - Traditional Yokai
Category - Animal Shapeshifters
Rarity - Uncommon
Personality - cold-hearted and cunning, timid yet opportunistic attacker
Compatibility - prone to attach to solitary walkers at dusk
Abilities - blinding shroud over the face, twilight ambush, said to drink fresh blood, agile leaps and gliding motions
Weaknesses - keeping rolled ear-shaped leaves in the bosom prevents the blinding, avoids strong light and fire though details are uncertain
Habitat - northern mountain ranges, forested valleys, woods at the edges of villages
🔮Yokai Compatibility Test
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