Abura-sumashi (Japanese: 油すまし, lit. “oil‑smoothing”) is a yōkai—a type of supernatural entity—in Japanese folklore, particularly associated with the Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyūshū.
Classification
- Type: Yōkai (supernatural creature)
- Regional affiliation: Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan
Etymology
The name combines the kanji 油 (abura, “oil”) with the verb すます (sumasu), meaning “to clear” or “to smooth.” The exact origin of the compound in folklore is not definitively documented, but the term is conventionally interpreted as referring to a spirit associated with oil or the act of oil‑related cleansing.
Description in folklore
- Physical appearance: Traditional descriptions portray the Abura-sumashi as a small, child‑like figure wearing a large straw hat (kasa) and a cloak. Its skin is said to be slick with oil, giving it a glossy appearance. Some accounts note that the creature’s face may be partially concealed or indistinct, emphasizing its otherworldly nature.
- Behavior: Folkloric narratives describe the Abura-sumashi as appearing on mountain paths, rural roads, or near oil‑storage sites. It is reputed to warn travelers against wastefulness—particularly the misuse or spilling of oil—or to admonish those who neglect proper respect for local customs. In certain tales, the yōkai may cause minor mischief, such as startling passersby or briefly obscuring the road, but it is not generally depicted as malevolent.
Historical sources
- Toriyama Sekien (1712–1788): The creature is illustrated in Sekien’s yōkai compendia, notably in Gazu Hyakki Yagyō (The Illustrated Night Parade of One Hundred Demons), where it is labeled “Abura‑sumashi.”
- Local folklore collections: Oral tradition from Kumamoto, recorded in early 20th‑century folklore surveys (e.g., Kumamoto no Dōbutsu), includes anecdotes of sightings and community warnings linked to the Abura‑sumashi.
Cultural representation
- Literature: The Abura‑sumashi appears in modern yōkai encyclopedias and is sometimes referenced in works exploring regional myths of Kyūshū.
- Popular media: The yōkai has been depicted in contemporary manga, anime, and video games that feature collections of traditional Japanese monsters, often emphasizing its oily sheen and straw hat as visual motifs.
Academic perspective
Scholars of Japanese folklore categorize the Abura‑sumashi among “regional yōkai” that embody local occupational concerns—in this case, the historical importance of oil (both cooking oil and lamp oil) in rural economies. Its narrative function appears to reinforce communal values regarding resource conservation and respect for the environment.
See also
- Yōkai: General term for supernatural beings in Japanese folklore.
- Toriyama Sekien: Edo‑period artist known for his illustrated collections of yōkai.
References
- Sekien, Toriyama. Gazu Hyakki Yagyō (Illustrated Night Parade of One Hundred Demons). Edo period.
- Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of History. Folklore of Kumamoto: Local Deities and Yōkai (Japanese). 1932.
- Foster, Michael Dylan. The Book of Yōkai: Mysterious Creatures of Japanese Folklore. University of California Press, 2015.
Note: While the core attributes of the Abura‑sumashi are documented in historical and folkloric sources, specific details of its behavior may vary among regional tellings.
