Maikubi - A Japanese Myth

I was going through my note book today - yes i admit it, they are useful at times for recording ideas and jogging the memory, and I bow my head in shame for all the times I took the mick out of Kate Parsons when she whipped her little book out :) - and I remembered watching Spirited Away (Miyazaki, 2001) a few months ago. Within the film, one thing stuck out the most. I remember being mesmerised by the three green "head creatures", which I now know are called Maikubi. I was also captivated by many of the other characters and spirits, and I will do further research into them all at a later date - if you have not seen the film, its very good, check it out!. I just thought they were really interesting, both from an aesthetic point of view, but also the story behind how these creatures have become the way they are is also very inspiring. looking further into there mythology they now appeal to me even more. I can really see myself incorporating them into my drawings and paintings, and I can see myself  having fun creating ludicrous and nutty facial expressions. Heres a story I found explaining what/who they are: 


"One day when a festival called the Manazuru festival in Izu was held there were some samurai named Kosanta, Matashige, and Akugoro. They were always doing bad things and they were all rivals. They all drank a lot of sake and started to argue. Finally they all cut off each other’s heads: At first Akugoro cut off Kosanta’s head. Next, he caught up to the fleeing Matashige, but unfortunately Akugoro tripped on a small rock. Matashige then cut off Akugoro’s head. But, while Matashige cut off Akugoro’s head, Akugoro managed to cut off Matashige’s. Both heads fell to the ground. Shamefully, even after their heads had been severed, they continued to fight. Finally, their three heads dropped into the sea and they continued to fight under water. They continue to fight in the water even now. At midnight they shout and cause waves while “dancing” on the water."



I also found some other interesting monsters and demons from Japanese folklore and myths which I found quite interesting, and they might apear in my work soon also, who knows?:


ONI :      No folkloric creature encompasses the varying roles of Japanese monsters like the Oni. Oni are a sort of demon or ogre that have taken a wide array of roles in Japanese storytelling and folklore. Oni are popularly represented as monstrous, wild-haired and having red or blue skin, one to three horns, terrible claws, tiger skin loin cloth and an iron club. They are said to be able to eat a man in one gulp and have often been depicted torturing, butchering and devouring their human victims. They move freely between the world of the living and the world of the dead. An Oni can be a terrible, destructive force to be feared or they can be a powerful protector and guardian. In a few stories they also possess the ability to shape-shift and appear as a normal looking man or woman. 


Kappa:    A turtle-like water monster with a reputation for drowning the unwary around ponds, lakes and rivers. This water-sprite has the back of a turtle, a beak-like snout, and a flattened or bowl-like head ringed by a tuft of hair. One of the most popular Yokai, a Kappa's character ranges from mischievous prankster to bloodthirsty, murderous monster. They kill both people and animals, drowning them, eating their livers, drinking their blood, and sometimes even raping women. They are also known to be so polite that when bowed to, they return the bow, causing water to spill out of their bowl-shaped heads, rendering them inert until their head is once again submerged. Kappa can also be befriended and if shown proper respect, award favors. They love cucumbers. If you should run into a Kappa, simply offer them a cucumber with your name carved into it as a bribe for your life. 


The cucumber idea is definitely something that would be comical in my drawings and maybe it will find a place in this years batch of work, who knows. Anyway I hope I have not scared or weirded many people out, watch this space as there is going to be plenty of bamboozling and interesting things coming soon!