31 Amigurumi in October - October 31

Happy Halloween!
I hope you enjoyed this year's 31 Amigurumi in October series. I had a lot of fun and look forward to next year!


The Nurarihyon, or Slippery, appears as a little old man with a huge, elongated head. He has the habit of sneaking into human houses in the evening, while everyone is busy, and making himself at home and drinking up the tea. He is said to be the supreme commander of the yokai.

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Moon's Creations will be closing from November 1 - November 7th, while the Moon Buns and I prepare for and appear at the Nekocon artist alley. All of the limited designs and unsold pieces from the 31 Amigurumi in October series will be made available at the convention.
I hope to see you there!

31 Amigurumi in October - October 30

Throughout East Asia, the fox is considered an animal predisposed to magic and prone to developing ghostly qualities. Foxes are both divine and mischievous beings, adept at shape shifting, illusion and often accused of possessing and misleading humans. As a sign of its seniority and wisdom, a long-lived fox develops an extra tail with each passing century, until it possesses nine, becoming impossibly powerful and clever.

31 Amigurumi in October - October 29

The stories of the Kuchisake-onna, or Slit-Mouth Woman, is an old Japanese urban legend that has taken many forms as the story is retold from person to person and from generation to generation. The common theme of her story is that the Kuchisake-onna was attacked by someone, possibly her lover or a plastic surgeon or even herself, and her mouth was sliced open from ear to ear giving her a gastly grin.

It is said her spirit now roams the streets at night, wearing a surgical mask over her mouth. When she encounters a person, she will ask, "Am I pretty?" If the person answers yes, she removes her mask and asks, "How about now?" If the victim answers no, she either kills them or cuts their mouth to resemble hers. If the victim answers yes, she will follow them home, killing them at their door, because the word "kirei" (pretty) sounds like "kire" (to cut). In the 1970's it was said if you replied "You're average" your life was saved, however the saving response has continued to change with the years.

31 Amigurumi in October - October 28

On the banks of mountain streams throughout Japan, you can hear the "shoki shoki" sounds of the elusive Azuki-arai, or Azuki (Red Bean) Washer, as he washes his azuki beans. Sometimes he can be heard singing:

"Azuki togo ka, hito totte kuo ka, shoki shoki"
(Shall I wash my azuki beans, or should I snatch a person to eat? Shoki shoki"

Despite its morbid song, the Azuki-arai is a very shy spirit whose only mischief is surprising humans with the sound of his washing and song. When a curious person approaches, he can be heard diving into the water to escape.

(As an aside, this is my absolute favorite yokai and I have no idea why.)

31 Amigurumi in October - October 27

The Tanuki is one of the most recognizable images of Japanese folk art. Statues of this animal appear throughout Japan, looking like rotund, bear-like animals, wearing large straw hats and carrying bottles of sake.

In folklore, the Tanuki is a trickster prone to mischief, shape-changing and the deception of humans as it searches for sake, food and women. They are also said to pound on their tummies at dusk making a deep pon-poko-pon sound.

31 Amigurumi in October - October 26

The Konaki-jiji, or Old Man Crybaby, appears as a baby, crying in the remote mountains of the Tokushima prefecture. When a kind-hearted traveler picks up the child, the Konaki-jiji reverts to its true gigantic form increasing in weight until it crushes the kind stranger.

31 Amigurumi in October - October 25

On rainy evenings, sometimes the weather spirit, Ame-furi-kozo, or Little Rainfall Boy, can be seen splashing playfully in the puddles. The Ame-furi-kozo looks like a strange child, carrying a paper lantern and wearing a hat fashioned from the husk of an old umbrella.

♥


Releasing Today!
Mini Monster Moon Buns!

31 Amigurumi in October - October 24

The Dai-tengu, or Great Tengu, is a form of Tengu, or goblin, who has more humanistic appearance. Due to their long noses, they may also be called Hanatakatengu. The tengu are protective, but dangerous, spirits of the mountains and forest.

31 Amigurumi in October - October 23

The Noppera-bo, or Faceless Ghost, is a famous, faceless apparition that seems to take delight in terrifying human beings. While its appearance is deeply disturbing, it is only a danger to those with weak hearts.

People who encounter a Noppera-bo, usually see these ghosts from the back or with their face obscured. When the victim tries to speak with the ghost, they are met with a face as smooth as an egg, without eyes, nose or mouth. The victim runs away to seek the comfort of a person they trust. After recounting their terrifying experience, their companion asks, "This face was it this sort of face?" At this point, the companion loses his facial features, showing again the face-less Noppera-bo.

31 Amigurumi in October - October 22

There is a Japanese legend that says when a cat becomes older, its tail will split in two and the cat becomes a Neko-mata, or forked cat. The Neko-mata are unusually large cats, measuring a meter and a half long, not including the tail, and they often walk about on their hind feed. Said to dance and manipulate the dead like puppets, the Neko-mata are associated with strange fires and other unexplainable occurrences. The fear of the Neko-mata caused many to cut off kitten tails as a precaution, because it was thought that if the tail couldn't fork, a cat would never turn into a Neko-mata.