#umibozu

[valdevia]

Last transmission from the crew of the Iwafune-oki offshore oil platform, 20/11/2019:

「海坊主を見た […] 台風が近づいている […] 洋上基地を放棄した…」 ("We saw the Umibōzu […] a hurricane is coming […] abandoned the platform…")

The crew was considered lost at sea.

[darksilvania]

FUDDIMUDDI (Poison/Water)

Third bonded pokemon, this time the pokemon is a MUK who wanted to become clean

Before anyone says anything, yes, the shiny colors are barely noticeable, I have made many shiny pokemon before with very distinctive color differences from its regular forms, it was time I made one of those where the difference is barely noticeable, it was neccesary.

It is based on the Umibōzu, a Yokai whose name translates as "Sea Monk" and the chain is placed in its hand to resemble the praying beads that buddhist monks carry

[kaliune]

Puwawa 💛

[bionic-baby]

Proof that history repeats itself:

[ghostiekins]

happy birthday kagura!!! 🐰🌂

[morallymurdered]

Gintama | ep 42

[evolutionsvoid]

When compared to a sea whose fluids eat through boats and flesh, or a region where crimson storms never cease, the dangers of a Snaring Sea seem rather tame. What fate lies in store upon those black waves? Crashing into Black Bile crystals? Getting caught in its thick stagnant fluids? Wrecking a ship upon hidden reefs is already a thing in regular oceans, and being stuck on an unmoving vessel does happen too! These facts would make the Black Seas seem far less intimidating when put up against the flashier, more violent, Humor Seas. But sailors who have had the misfortune of treading these choking fluids would say otherwise. Survivors of such terrible voyages tell stories that have haunted dockside bars and the bunks of whaling ships for years. Getting stuck in a Snaring Sea may seem the better option than being boiled alive or fried by a bloody bolt, but from the sounds of these tales, such quick deaths are the preferable option. Because when you are trapped in that terrible mire, you are not alone...

The monsters of a Black Sea are slow and insidious things, fitting for such a terrible place. The fluids they patrol are thick and clotted, thus forcing them to claw and burrow through its sticky muck. The black Humor clings to whatever it touches, like hands trying to drag you down. If one is not careful or strong enough, they can get trapped in these dark globs, struggling against a choking Humor that refuses to let go. Panic is quick to set in, be it a sailor who fell overboard or an entire vessel snared and stopped. Even the unprepared beasts of this sea may flail and fight when they have become caught. They thrash about because they know what is coming. The denizens of this dark sea know the properties of their world, and how easily it snares prey. Thus, they are quick to appear when things go still...

One of the horrid creatures told in these tales is the Monkshead, a giant octopus that calls the Snaring Seas home. Its body is pitch black, save for two terrible burning eyes that seem to forever stare. Their tendrils are cloaked and hidden, unveiling during the hunt to reveal crystalline barbs. Their visage has cursed many carvings, depicting these looming giants erupting from the sea with unsettling eyes. Yet, when one enters a Black Sea, it would appear lifeless. No titan octopi to be found, just miles of dark stillness. The unfortunate fact is that there is probably a Monkshead in view, far closer than one would like. It just so happens that their iconic form is not their common one, only rising up during specific moments. No, their usual pose is one of incredible flatness, their entire form pressed down and splayed out as if they had been squashed by the fist of a god. Their bodies lack bones, thus they can stretch themselves in such ways, turning them into a black puddle of unmoving flesh. In this state, the Monkshead is practically invisible, their form blending in with the clotted fluids around it. This is how it hides, and hunts.

Monkshead typically fish for their food, hiding up on the surface while their two feeding tendrils drill downward into the depths. Their cruel hooks snag flesh and drag victims into the waiting maw above. Small prey is devoured instantly, while larger foods are enshrouded in their spiny cloak and slowly shredded til they bleed out. For most of their lives, the Monkshead will remain in this flattened feeding position. But when a surface predator starts poking around, or perhaps a wayward ship gets too close, the Monkshead reveals its true visage.

When it feels threatened, the Monkshead will inflate its body and rapidly grow into a towering pillar of black. Its mantle will fill out to its true size, while its eyes migrate all the way to the top of this structure. The result is a giant silhouette with piercing eyes, looming over predators and intruders. This large size is meant to intimidate, as well as move its vulnerable organs upwards and out of reach. Predators who don't back down will find the flesh of the Monkshead to be rather tough and rubbery, repelling many blows. In response, its barbed tentacles will emerge and start whipping away. Foes will quickly learn this beast is not worth the trouble, especially since the ambush has failed. They will beat a hasty retreat, but other players in this game may not get such luxury. When a ship runs into a Monkshead, there is little chance to escape. This is because they often literally run into them.

In their feeding position, Monkshead are almost impossible to pick out, which often leads to ships drawing a path right through them. When the vessel gets too close, the octopus rears up in its defensive posture. Unfortunately, since the crew did not see this hiding beast, they won't realize the danger til they are on a collision course. Vessels are hard to stop at a moment's notice, especially when stopping is something one really doesn't want to do on a Snaring Sea. The result is often the ship ramming right into the towering figure, whose tough hide pushes back. Lucky ones will have their boat brought to a halt, while unfortunate souls will be flipped over. Plunging into the tar-like depths is certain death, as you are an easy meal for the fish and the Monkshead itself. Those who remain upright will be fortunate, but that luck may soon run out.

Now faced with a foe stuck right in front of them, the Monkshead will be quick to attack, sending forth spiny tentacles. These appendages tear through flesh and pull victims overboard, where a waiting maw hungers. In short time, the Monkshead will realize this "attacker" is more like an angry morsel, the little skittering things being quite delicious. This leads to it becoming more aggressive and bold, trying to feed on those aboard. Thankfully, sailors and whalers are well equipped with weapons and battle tactics. They know how to face off against large foes. The Monkshead will find its tentacles besieged by blades, while its hide faces a hail of harpoons. With enough force, the giant will be forced back, and it slinks away in defeat. Or so one thinks....

While the Monkshead is a star in many Snaring Sea horror stories, its assault against a ship isn't really what terrifies the listener. Sure, the horrid tentacles that grab and slice are awful, but many beasts have such weapons. No, what truly chills the bones is when the Monkshead retreats away from the vessel. And then waits. What seems like fleeing to lick its wounds is actually an unsettling vigil, as the octopus will stay out of harpoon range and simply stare at the ship. It will hardly move and rarely look away, its terrible eyes practically burning a hole through hull and soul. Even when night falls, those glowing orbs can still be seen in bright red, ever watching. This is the terror all snared beasts and ships feel, because the Monkshead, and many creatures of the Black Sea, knows the inevitable. They know there is no where to go, and that time is an insidious thing. The creatures and crew are fierce now, but this cannot last forever. As hours and days pass, the burning sun, choking fluids and waning body will take its toll. And that is what the Monkshead is waiting for, for when its victims are too exhausted to fight back.

This is the fate that awaits those who get trapped in the Snaring Sea, a silent vigil held by its myriad of monsters, all waiting for that moment of weakness. And then, with vicious jaws and impaling spines, they will take you.

--------------------------------

Yes, yes, not a medieval map monster, instead a beast hailing from a different land. But I love the umibozu and felt like they could fit it!

[wydownaspiider]

here they are, two baldies

[hiddenlizard]

Mecha-Yokai Umibozu kit by Nakamura (60-70s). Artist unknown (please lmk if you know who it is).

[rena-ragerat]

The second spoiler to the "Mononoke Fan Zine"!

[s4y4ishere]

My theory about Umibozu and Kameo

[dt75artblog]

UMIBOZU [acrylic on canvas]

[hexedvampire]

[mintbluex]

[ilyokkgsmiabf]

I really wished it was Sougo you married!

[suchine-toki]

Have you ever thought that during Kagura's feigned illness arc, if she had really died, Umibozu wouldn't have been present at her funeral? Even though it was a state funeral, it seems he was unaware, and not even Gintoki or Shinpachi knew how to contact him...