Afterpants: Spirit Oblations (Series 1)
Should Japanese Ayakashi Monsters Wear Boxers or Briefs?
Even Vengeful Spirits Need to Be Dressed Properly
I used to have a short series of blog entries wherein I wrote a little bit about my life, then a blurb on a particular yokai and then rated that yokai based on how good (or potentially good) they look in briefs.
(In England that’s called the “kek factor” so I called the series Yokeks…genius right?)
That simply won’t do for Medium or Japonica so I’ve begun a new series “Afterpants: Spirit Oblations” wherein I will tell you about Japanese spirits of a wide variety, compare them to a type of underwear, a give suggestions as to what offerings you should make to them.
(Many thanks to Zack over @ Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai (百物語怪談会) for his wonderful website full of in depth information on so many of our favorite spirit beings!)
Today’s spirit is called an Ayakashi.
If you do a little digging, you’ll find there are many different usages for this term. Sea serpents, ghost lights, a murderous “woman” alone on an island somewhere and even a male ghost (in Noh performances).
Underwear rating: The Ayakashi is the undies equivalent of brightly colored boxer briefs. They look great, feel great and are versatile in use.
So what are we to do with such spirits? Well, obviously the only thing to do with spiritual entities (especially in Shinto) is give them offerings!
The folklore of Japan is rich with monsters, demons and other spirits that simply require that humans acknowledge them in some way. The bigger…or angrier they are, the more you’re supposed to offer. I recall the most famous example of a goryo named Michizane who was murdered and returned to terrorize the court. They not only apologized, did the proper rituals of purification AND reinstated his spirit in the court (essentially gave the ghost his job back) but also built a temple and deified him.
Now that’s one ghost with his knickers in a twist!
So we’ve established that we should make oblations to all kinds of spirits. And those offerings should reflect the nature of the spirit in some way. Therefore we have to look at the Ayakashi in that light (probably pale blue light as the Japanese associate the color with death.)
So if your Ayakasi is a giant sea serpent…probably offer them barrels of fish (or if you’re in a rush…maybe just place an image of a fish on your kamidana or Butsudan.) I’d also include some incense, a margarita (because…salty) and underwear? maybe instead get one of those speedo one pieces.
If your Ayakashi is “ghost lights”, watch out…they like getting you lost in the woods at night. Offerings should include a miniature forest (Lego comes to mind) maybe some rice and a glass of chardonnay. Ghost lights won’t have much use for underwear, but if needs must…something see through.
If your Ayakashi is a murderous monster on an island I’ve got the perfect offering you! Take a barrel of tofu (oden if possible) and drench it in marinara. (This simulates the flesh of humans.) Also red, red wine will make her feel fine! As far as underthings go…she’ll probably want a nice 9 pack of white or blue ladies briefs.
Alright! That’s the first edition of Afterpants: Spirit Oblations. Please take a look at my first article: Afterpants: Oni-no-pantsu. You’re also welcome to go on a deep dive into my psyche by checking out my website and remember :
“If you’re going ghost hunting, always wear spooky underwear!”
