asukacemetery

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Night 6: Momiji 🍁 . Momiji, lit. “maple leaves”, is used as a name for the “Witch of the Mountain” following the legend of Princess Sarashina. . She was ultimately defeated by a samurai named Taira no Koremochi and the holy katana, Kogarasumaru, “Little Crow” that he dreamed into existence. . “With the exception of certain rodents, no other vertebrate except Homo sapiens habitually destroys members of his own species.” -Anthony Storr (at Costa Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHFLjgpgL72/?igshid=1lizjhmpdkrda

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Night 31: Shinigami 🍎 . Shinigami ("Grim Reaper", "death bringer" or "death spirit") are gods or supernatural spirits that invite humans toward death in certain aspects of Japanese religion and culture. Shinigami have been described as monsters, helpers, and creatures of darkness. Shinigami are used for tales and religions in Japanese culture. . In Buddhism, there is the Mara that is concerned with death, the Mrtyu-mara. It is a demon that makes humans want to die, and it is said that upon being possessed by it, in a shock, one should suddenly want to die by suicide, so it is sometimes explained to be a "shinigami". Also, in the Yogacarabhumi-sastra, a writing on Yogacara, a demon decided the time of people's deaths. Yama, the king of the Underworld, as well as oni like the Ox-Head and Horse-Face are also considered a type of shinigami. . “Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” -Maya Angelou . “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” -Maya Angelou . “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” - Maya Angelou https://www.instagram.com/p/CHEJ0mmALyS/?igshid=1ektsifr3ynpn

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Night 30: Yurei 👻 . Yūrei are figures in Japanese folklore analogous to the Western model of ghosts. The name consists of two kanji, 幽 (yū), meaning "faint" or "dim" and 霊 (rei), meaning "soul" or "spirit". Alternative names include 亡霊 (Bōrei), meaning ruined or departed spirit, 死霊 (Shiryō) meaning dead spirit, or the more encompassing 妖怪 (Yōkai) or お化け (Obake). Like their Chinese and Western counterparts, they are thought to be spirits barred from a peaceful afterlife. . “What is ominous is the ease with which some people go from saying that they don't like something to saying that the government should forbid it. When you go down that road, don't expect freedom to survive very long.” -Thomas Sowell . “The library, with its Daedalian labyrinth, mysterious hush, and faintly ominous aroma of knowledge, has been replaced by the computer's cheap glow, pesky chirp, and data spillage.” -P. J. O'Rourke . “The past is an old armchair in the attic, the present an ominous ticking sound, and the future is anybody's guess.” -James Thurber (at Costa Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHEIoWigvGd/?igshid=bzvo4dn3eptn

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Night 29: Ushi no Toki Mairi 🧿 . Ushi-no-Toki-Mairi, lit. "ox-hour shrine-visit" or ushi no koku mairi refers to a prescribed method of laying a curse upon a target that is traditional to Japan, so-called because it is conducted during the hours of the Ox (between 1 and 3 AM). The practitioner—typically a scorned woman—while dressed in white and crowning herself with an iron ring set with three lit candles upright, hammers nails into a sacred tree (神木, shinboku) of the Shinto shrine. In the modern-day common conception, the nails are driven through a straw effigy of the victim, impaled upon the tree behind it. The ritual must be repeated seven days running, after which the curse is believed to succeed, causing death to the target, but being witnessed in the act is thought to nullify the spell. The Kifune Shrine in Kyoto is famously associated with the ritual. . “Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” -Marilyn Monroe . “A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” -Charles Spurgeon . “Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God: But only he who sees takes off his shoes.” -Elizabeth Barrett Browning (at Costa Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHEHfqtA_wu/?igshid=126z5onfgou8c

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Night 28: Suzuhiko hime 🎐 . Suzuhiko hime are tsukumogami which possess kagurasuzu—the bells used in Shintō rituals. They look like young women wearing the robes of an ancient princess or a shrine maiden. They are decked with bells, and have a larger bell for a head. . Bells have been used since ancient times in Shintō rituals to calm the human soul as well as repel evil spirits. Most importantly, they are meant to attract the attention of the gods and call forth their presence. Although it is not specifically stated, it is possible that suzuhiko hime, like other tsukumogami, are born out of old tools that are no longer in service, animating themselves from the desire to be useful once again. . Suzuhiko hime is a creation of Toriyama Sekien, and first appears in his book Hyakki tsurezure bukuro. Everything about this yōkai, from the meaning of its name, to what Sekien intended for it to do, can only be inferred from his brief description of it. . “To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don't grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float.” -Alan Watts . “Remember, a dead fish can float downstream, but it takes a live one to swim upstream.” -W. C. Fields . “Spiritual people don't float around all day on clouds of glory; they live in the real world and deal with real issues in real ways.” -Joyce Meyer (at Costa Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHEFuJRA0iQ/?igshid=1nr97x4s9u9wd

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Night 27: Kuchisake-onna 🔪 . Kuchisake-onna (|口裂け女|, a "Slit-Mouthed Woman") is a malevolent figure in Japanese urban legends and folklore. Described as the malicious spirit, or onryō, of a woman, she partially covers her face with a mask or other item and carries some sort of sharp object. She has been described as a contemporary yōkai. . According to popular legend, she asks potential victims if they think she is attractive. If they respond with "no", she will kill them with her weapon. If they say "yes", she will reveal that the corners of her mouth are slit from ear to ear, and she will then repeat her question. If the individual responds with "no", she will kill them with her weapon, and if they say "yes", she will cut the corners of their mouth in such a way that resembles her own disfigurement. Methods that can be used to survive an encounter with Kuchisake-onna include answering her question by describing her appearance as "average", or by distracting her with money or hard candies. . “Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears from the eyes of woman.” -Ludwig van Beethoven . “I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music.” -Billy Joel . “Music is the strongest form of magic.” -Marilyn Manson (at Costa Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHECvIHgRZ2/?igshid=7jel9j7uos1v

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Night 26: Jorogumo 🕷 . Jorogumo is a type of Yōkai, a creature, ghost or goblin of Japanese folklore. It can shapeshift into a beautiful woman, so the kanji for its actual meaning is "woman-spider", and to write it instead as 絡新婦 ("entangling newlywed woman") is a jukujikun pronunciation of the kanji. In Toriyama Sekien's Gazu Hyakki Yagyō, it is depicted as a spider woman manipulating small fire-breathing spiders. . Jorōgumo can also refer to some species of spiders, such as the Nephila and Argiope spiders. Japanese-speaking entomologists use the katakana form of Jorōgumo (ジョロウグモ) to refer exclusively to the spider species Trichonephila clavata. . “Follow your inner moonlight; don't hide the madness.” -Allen Ginsberg . “You can hide from the devil, but he'll always find you.” -Allen Iverson . All of us make mistakes. The key is to acknowledge them, learn, and move on. The real sin is ignoring mistakes, or worse, seeking to hide them.” -Robert Zoellick (at Costa Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHEBeOygsy-/?igshid=1e23u8lvc9rlp

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Night 25: Ame onna 🌧 . Ameonna, translated as "rain woman," is a Japanese yōkai thought to call forth rain, illustrated in Toriyama Sekien's Konjaku Hyakki Shūi as a woman standing in the rain and licking her hand. . In modern usage in Japan, "ameonna" (or the male equivalent "ameotoko") refers to an unlucky person that seems to be jinxed to have the rain follow them wherever they may go, thus gaining a reputation for ruining special events such as weddings or sporting events. . “The best way to get to know the place you are traveling in is to walk around... and the best way to walk around is with comfortable shoes! Grab your travel buddy and your running shoes and go explore!” -Laura Marano . “I miss all of my old friends who have passed away. Sometimes you just don't understand why they were taken so soon. I loved and miss Johnny Cash. I miss my old buddy Johnny Paycheck, who happens to be buried in an area of the cemetery that I bought for my family.” -George Jones . “Once you get into a routine of eating healthy, it hurts twice as much when you fall off the wagon. But it's nice to have a few bites of something you like. I'm not a sweets person, but I love pasta and pizza - oh, buddy!” -Carrie Underwood (at Costa Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHD_eS-gAht/?igshid=12tm3b8jclvrc

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Night 24: Tsuchinoko 🐍 . In Japanese folklore, the tsuchinoko literally translating to "child of hammer", is a snake-like being. The name tsuchinoko is prevalent in Western Japan, including Kansai and Shikoku; the creature is known as bachi hebi (バチヘビ) in Northeastern Japan. . Tsuchinoko are described as being between 30 and 80 centimetres (12 and 31 inches) in length, similar in appearance to a snake, but with a central girth that is much wider than its head or tail, and as having fangs and venom similar to that of a viper. Some accounts also describe the tsuchinoko as being able to jump up to 1 metre (3.3 feet) in distance followed immediately by a second jump while still in the air. . According to legend, some tsuchinoko have the ability to speak and a propensity for lying, and they are also said to have a taste for alcohol. Legend records that it will sometimes swallow its own tail so that it can roll like a wheel, similarly to the "hoop snake" of American legend. (at Long Beach, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHD8J8ogZhr/?igshid=1dhqgpk8dnzb9

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Night 23: Hainu 🐕 . Hainu are winged dogs who are strong, fast, and ferocious, and can be as menacing to humans as wolves. On the other hand, tamed hainu can also be loyal, loving pets. . “The weeds keep multiplying in our garden, which is our mind ruled by fear. Rip them out and call them by name.” -Sylvia Brown (at Costa Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHC35FagLmE/?igshid=ksrt1i9mz4bo

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Night 22: Rokurokubi ☔️ . Rokurokubi is a type of Japanese yōkai (apparition). They look almost completely like humans with one of two differences. There is a type whose neck stretches and another whose head detaches and flies around freely (nukekubi). The Rokurokubi appear in classical kaidan (spirit tales) and in yōkai works. It has been suggested, however, that the idea of rokurokubi may have been created purely for entertainment purposes rather than originating from any folk beliefs or legends. . The word rokurokubi may have derived from the word rokuro which refers to a potter's wheel, a water well's pulley (since it elongates) or an umbrella handle (which also elongates). . “The weeds keep multiplying in our garden, which is our mind ruled by fear. Rip them out and call them by name.” -Sylvia Browne (at Costa Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGvlJFog-aG/?igshid=8siuwwgukqf9

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Night 21: Maneki Neko 🐱 . The Maneki-neko (招き猫, lit. 'beckoning cat') is a common Japanese figurine which is often believed to bring good luck to the owner. In modern times, they are usually made of ceramic or plastic. The figurine depicts a cat, traditionally a calico Japanese Bobtail, with a paw raised in a Japanese beckoning gesture. The figurines are often displayed in shops, restaurants, pachinko parlors, dry cleaners, laundromats, bars, casinos, hotels, nightclubs, and other businesses, generally near the entrance. Some Maneki-neko are now equipped with a mechanical paw which slowly moves back and forth. . “My father said there were two kinds of people in the world: givers and takers. The takers may eat better, but the givers sleep better.” -Marlo Thomas . (Maneki-neko are sometimes referred to simply as the "lucky cats". (at Costa Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGrdOp8ArQB/?igshid=2fhdxujmtahm

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Night 20: Nura-onna . Nure-onna is a Japanese yōkai which resembles a reptilious creature with the head of a woman and the body of a snake. They are also known to be a paranormal phenomenon at sea under the name of nureyomejo. In legends, they are often said to consume humans, but they have no single appearance or personality. . “The more we heat up the planet, the more it costs all of us, not just in money, but in colossal famines, displacements, deaths, and species extinctions, as well as in the loss of some of the things that make this planet a blue-green jewel, including its specialized habitats from the melting Arctic to bleaching coral reefs.” -Rebecca Solnit . (I like that it translates literally to “wet woman”) (at Costa Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGpAij-AKBO/?igshid=411zjsgjfeb0

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Night 19: Kappa 🐸 . Kappa is one of my favorite yokai! One, because they’re description introduced me to the shirikodama and Two, because they remind me of kuppas from super mario :3 . A kappa is an amphibious yokai demon or imp found in traditional Japanese folklore. They are typically depicted as green, human-like beings with webbied hands and feet and a turtle like carapace on their backs. A depression in its head, called its “dish” (sara), retains water, and if this is damaged or its liquid is lost (either through spilling or drying up), this kappa is severely weakened. . They are known to favor cucumbers and love to engage in sumo wrestling. They are often accused of assaulting humans in water and removing a mythical organ Called the shirikodama from their victim’s anus. . “As long as the world is turning and spinning, we're gonna be dizzy and we're gonna make mistakes.” -Mel Brooks (at Costa Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGoIszHgzL1/?igshid=1ugpax5xdenmc

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Night 18: Chōchin-obake 🏮 . Chōchin-obake (提灯お化け) is a Japanese yōkai of chōchin (a type of lantern) and can also be called simply chōchin, bake-chōchin, obake-chōchin, and chōchin-kozō. . An old chōchin would split upwards and downwards, and the part that got split would become a mouth and stick out a long tongue, and the chōchin obake is commonly considered not to have one eye in its upper half, but two. Sometimes, the chōchin would also grow a face, hands, a torso, and wings. . “Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” -Steve Jobs . “Humility is the true key to success. Successful people lose their way at times. They often embrace and overindulge from the fruits of success. Humility halts this arrogance and self-indulging trap. Humble people share the credit and wealth, remaining focused and hungry to continue the journey of success.” -Rick Pitino . “We are dying from overthinking. We are slowly killing ourselves by thinking about everything. Think. Think. Think. You can never trust the human mind anyway. It's a death trap.” -Anthony Hopkins . (Before you traverse the darkness, use a chōchin to guide the way. It was born in the darkness, you merely embrace it.) (at Costa Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGk_nGwAwA6/?igshid=1vx0o2v2au1z4

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Night 17: Baku 🦛 . Baku are said to devour nightmares. According to legend, they were created by the spare pieces that were left over when the gods finished creating all other animals. . The Japanese term baku has two current meanings, referring to both the traditional dream-devouring creature and to the Malayan tapir. Which probably influenced the likeness of the Pokémon Drowsy :3 . “Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.” -Rabindranath Tagore . “If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you'll never enjoy the sunshine.” -Morris West . But . “If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm.” -Frank Lane . (I know the hippo isn’t a tapir but work with me here lol) (at Costa Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGjuDf1AQh9/?igshid=16jnrd6gm5arw

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Night 16: Aosagibi ✨ . Aosagibi is a phenomenon that depicts a black-crowned night heron with a mysteriously illuminated body. . Folklore built around the phenomenon tells a story of an old black-crowned night heron transforming into a yokai. The herons' feathers fuse into shining scales that give off an iridescent blue light in the dark of night. The yokai's breath is also said to release golden powder into the air that collects to form a heat-less fiery light, though this light eventually dissipates in the wind. The harmless creature is said to flee from human contact, retaining a normal heron's shyness. . “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.” -Dwight D. Eisenhower . . . Tags ✨ . #asuka_cemetery #yokaitober2020 #YokaiTober #CloudieTober #drawtober #artober #doodletober #conceptober #handstyle #drawlloween #artoberfest #sketchtober #spooktober #octoberartchallenge #octoberartprompts #artchallenge #drawingprompts #artprompts #promptlist #inktoberchallenge #inktoberalternative #inktoberworld #yokaiart #japaneseyokai #yokai #japanesefolklore #japanesemythology #japanart #night16 #aosagibi (at Costa Mesa, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGhGY8TgjwG/?igshid=1qq90ses2lvtb