kasaobake

Kasa Obake is a supernatural entity from Japanese folklore. It is depicted as a tsukumogami, which is an object that has gained a spirit after 100 years of existence. Specifically, the Kasa Obake is a haunted umbrella, often illustrated as a flat, round umbrella with one eye, a long tongue, and a single leg, which is typically the shaft of the umbrella.

These yokai are generally considered mischievous rather than malevolent. They are not known to cause serious harm, but rather to play pranks on unsuspecting humans. Their primary method of interaction is often by startling people or playfully taunting them. Stories sometimes describe them hopping along on their single leg or sticking out their long tongue.

The appearance of a Kasa Obake is thought to be a sign that an old, discarded umbrella has come to life. They are often found in isolated or abandoned places, and their appearance can be a sign of the supernatural encroaching on the mundane world. While not a deeply terrifying monster, the Kasa Obake serves as a reminder of the potential for everyday objects to harbor spirits and the whimsical, sometimes unsettling, nature of Japanese folklore. They are a common motif in art, literature, and popular culture in Japan.