Big Book of Mythology (Yokai Edition)

Amazake Babā

Translation: Amazake hag

Other names: Amazake Banba, The Goddess of Chickenpox (or smallpox)

Type: Unknown

Prefecture: Miyagi, Aomori

Habitat: Dark streets at night (appears during winter)

Diet: Amazake and sake

Danger zone: Blue (Difficult)

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About Amazake Babā:
Be careful if you see this yokai walking to or pass your house. Amazake Babā (aka. Amazake hag) is an old woman yokai from the folktale of Miyagi and Aomori prefectures. She was also known as the goddess of chickenpox.

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Appearance:
Amazake babā is a haggardly old woman from northeastern Japan. She is practically indistinguishable from an ordinary old woman, which makes her difficult to recognize as a yōkai until it is too late.

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Behavior/Interaction:
Amazake Babā travels from different houses, knocking on people's doors and asking them if they have any amazake. If they answer her at all (yes or no), they will become extremely ill. Another variation of this yōkai (Amazake banba) is said that she tries to sell amazake and sake. The consequences remain the same.

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Abilities:
• Voice Masking: Has the voice of a child to disguise herself.

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Targets:
Anyone

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Need an escape plan?
In order to keep her away from your house is to have a cedar branch hanging over your door and it will keep her away. You can also put a sign on your door saying "We do not like amazake or sake." She'll go to the next house.

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Origin story:
Originally, the Amazake Babā was considered to be a goddess of disease (specifical smallpox). During the smallpox outbreak, there were a lot of reports about seeing this strange woman in the big cities in Japan. Apparently now, mothers visit statues of Amazake Babā and give her offerings to avoid their children from being sick.

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NOPE rating:
4/5