_Description
The_Gashadokuro_is_a_spirit_that_take_the_form_of_giant__Description
The_Gashadokuro_is_a_spirit_that_take_the_form_of_giant_Skeleton_(undead)">skeletons_made_of_the_skulls_of_people_who_died_in_the_field,_and_is_10_meters_tall._Only_the_eyes_protrude,_and_some_sources_describe_them_as_burning_yellow_or_green._Gashadokuro_wanders_around_at_2:00_a.m._and_attacks_and_eats_humans_when_it_sees_them._When_a_gashadokuro_approaches,_it_is_said_to_make_a_clattering_sound_with_its_teeth. The_following_characteristics_are_not_confirmed_by_Japanese_data._The_Gashadokuro_are_said_to_possess_the_powers_of_invisibility_and_indestructibility_since_it_is_composed_of_the_bones_of_people_who_are_already_deceased,_though_Shinto_charms_are_said_to_ward_them_off._Otherwise,_a_Gashadokuro_will_continue_hunting_its_prey_until_its_pent_up_anger_is_released,_causing_the_bones_to_crumple_and_the_Gashadokuro_to_collapse._In_modern_culture
The_Gashadokuro_is_a_Yōkai.html" "title="Skeleton_(undead).html" ;"title="Yōkai.html" "title="Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre''">Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre">Utagawa Kuniyoshi's , also known as ''Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre'' are Yōkai">mythical creatures A legendary creature (also mythical or mythological creature) is a type of fictional entity, typically a hybrid, that has not been proven and that is described in folklore (including myths and legends), but may be featured in historical account ...Description
The Gashadokuro is a spirit that take the form of giant Skeleton (undead)">skeletons made of the skulls of people who died in the field, and is 10 meters tall. Only the eyes protrude, and some sources describe them as burning yellow or green. Gashadokuro wanders around at 2:00 a.m. and attacks and eats humans when it sees them. When a gashadokuro approaches, it is said to make a clattering sound with its teeth. The following characteristics are not confirmed by Japanese data. The Gashadokuro are said to possess the powers of invisibility and indestructibility since it is composed of the bones of people who are already deceased, though Shinto charms are said to ward them off. Otherwise, a Gashadokuro will continue hunting its prey until its pent up anger is released, causing the bones to crumple and the Gashadokuro to collapse.In modern culture
The Gashadokuro is a Yōkai">yōkai are a class of supernatural entities and spirits in Japanese folklore. The word is composed of the kanji for "attractive; calamity" and "apparition; mystery; suspicious." are also referred to as , or . Despite often being translated as suc ...Mythology
One of the first known myths of the Gashadokuro dates back to the tenth century. During the tenth century in Japan, Taira no Masakado, a prominent samurai from the Kanto region was ambushed one day by three of his cousins due to quarrelling over marriages. Enraged by this, Masakado retaliated by burning down their residence, killing one of his uncles, Kunika. Taira no Yoshimasa, who was either Masakado’s parental uncle or cousin, wanted to avenge Kunika and challenged Taira no Masakado to a duel. Upon losing the duel, Yoshimasa, embarrassed by his defeat, called upon Taira no Yoshikane, another one of Masakado’s relatives who fought over the same woman. Yoshikane, who was the assistant governor for Kazusa Province, was easily able to gather many warriors and other officials from his province. On the day of their battle, Masakado, despite only having around 100 poorly-equipped soldiers, was able to inflict heavy casualties on Yoshikane and Yoshimasa’s forces, which was estimated to be thousands strong. After his victory, Masakado was summoned to the imperial court in Kyoto due to complaints received about him. Fujiwara no Tadihira, Masakado’s lord, however, most likely lightened his punishment and helped him get a pardon from the court. In 937, Yoshikane, anxious to avenge his humiliating defeat, once again battled with Masakado. Masakado, injured in the fight, tried to flee with his wife, Yoshikane’s daughter, but was unsuccessful. In 939, Masakado started a minor rebellion referred to as the ‘Tengyō no Ran’ (天慶の乱) ("War in the Tengyō era" or "Tengyō Disturbance"). The armed revolt officially began when Masakado attacked one of the central government’s outposts in Hitachi Province. Later that year, he conquered Shimotsuke and Kōzuke Provinces, claiming the title of Shinnō (New Emperor). The government in Kyoto acknowledged his attacks as a revolt and put a bounty on his head. Taira no Sadamori, his cousin, and Fujiwara no Hidesato killed him in 940, decapitating him and brought his head to the capital in Kyoto for a reward. Masakado’s daughter, Takiyasha Hime, a famous and powerful sorceress, was infuriated at her father’s killers for disrespecting him. She conjured up the first Gashadokuro with the bones of those dead in the battle where Masakado died. To take revenge, Takiyasha Hime unleashed the Gashadokuro on Kyoto. It ravaged the city until Masakado’s head was moved to Shibasaki, a fishing village that eventually became Tokyo. The head became a sort of demigod there, with a grave still standing today near the Tokyo Imperial Palace.References
Corporeal undead Culture articles needing translation from Japanese Wikipedia Skeletons Yōkai {{Japan-myth-stub