Big Book of Mythology (Yokai Edition)

Hitotsume kozo

Translation: One-eyed priest boy

Other names: Obake, shiryō, bōrei, Mehitotsu-Bō

Type: Human

Prefecture: Niigata, Kanagawa, Tokushima, Saga

Habitat: Found all over Japan

Diet: Omnivorous

Danger zone: White (No threat)

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About Hitotsume Kozō:
Here's another yokai that is not harmful but is a bit less creepy. Hitotsume kuzō are childish and mischievous little one-eyed goblins that are well known in all parts of Japan.

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Appearance:
They wear shaved heads and robes, like tiny Buddhist monks. They have long red tongues and a single, enormous eye.

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Behavior/Interaction:
Hitotsume kozō are relatively harmless as far as yōkai go. Their most alarming trait is appearing suddenly and surprising people on dark streets. They seem to enjoy startling people; hundreds of encounters have been reported over the years, most of them very similar to each other. Aside from their startling play, hitotsume kozō have one serious job. In East Japan, it is said that every year on the 8th of December, hitotsume kozō travel the land, recording in ledgers the families who have been bad that year. They use this information to decide each family's fortunes for the coming year.

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Abilities:
(None in particular)

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Target:
Anyone

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Escape plan:
(Unknown)

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Origin story:
Though similar in name to other one-eyed monsters like hitotsume nyūdō, there is little evidence suggesting a relation between the two. Many believe that hitotsume kozō's origins are connected in some way with Enryaku-ji, the head temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism. Others believe that they were once local mountain deities who over time devolved and changed into yōkai.

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NOPE Rating:
3/5