# Nobusuma

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Nobusuma
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Nobusuma.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobusuma
> Source revision: 1333875669
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

This article is about a flying mammal type monster of Tokyo. For the blocking beast of Shikoku, see [Nurikabe#nobusuma](/source/Nurikabe#nobusuma).

A ***nobusuma*** (野衾) ( "field bedding"[1]) or ***tobikura*** (飛倉) is a type of flying or sky-gliding *[yōkai](/source/Y%C5%8Dkai)* monster, whose lore is localized in the [Edo](/source/Edo) (now [Tokyo](/source/Tokyo)), which some say is a transmuted [bat](/source/Bat), and others a [flying squirrel](/source/Flying_squirrel).

It may latch onto a human from and cover his eyes and mouth, perhaps to [suck blood](/source/Hematophagy). It attacks animals to feed on their blood, according to other sources. It is also said to consume [fruits](/source/Fruit) or tree-[nuts](/source/Nut_(fruit)). As for it allegedly consuming flame (or smoke from a fire), a source explains that it engages in a sort of [fire-eating](/source/Fire_eating) and -breathing behavior after [chomping](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/chomp) the tip off a lit torch.

According to the transmutation theorists, it starts off as bat, but with age eventually becomes a *nobusuma*, then later another yōkai named [*yamachichi*](/source/Yamachichi) ( "mountain father"[2]); this *yamachichi* is characterized as a [vampire](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/vampire) due to its habit of sucking the breath out of a sleeper and even cause death.

## Etymology

The name *nobusuma* (野衾) translates to "field bedding",[1] where *fusuma* is also glossed as either "*[kakebuton](/source/Kakebuton)*" (the top cover *futon*[a] or "night robe".[3] The word is thought to derive from *fusu mo* (伏す裳).[4][b]

## Mythology

The *nobusuba* of this type is said to be part of the folklore of Edo (now Tokyo).[5][6]["lower-alpha" 1]

### As flying squirrel

This *nobusuma* is essentially a [giant flying squirrel](/source/Japanese_giant_flying_squirrel) (*musasabi*) according to [Toriyama Sekien](/source/Toriyama_Sekien)[1][2] in his *[Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki](/source/Konjaku_Gazu_Zoku_Hyakki)* ( 1779),[7] and he illustrated the creature like a flying squirrel, though his text states it resembles a bat, with fur growing on it, equipped with fleshy wings.[8]. It purportedly ate nuts and flames.[9]

Sekien has a separate entry for another *yōkai* called *[momonjī](/source/Momonj%C4%AB)* ([百々爺](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%99%BE%E3%80%85%E7%88%BA)), which in his opinion is a name composed partly of "*momonga*" for "[Japanese dwarf flying squirrel](/source/Japanese_dwarf_flying_squirrel)", which he asserts is also called *nobusuma*.[10]["lower-alpha" 2]). This creature transforms into an elderly human after dark when certain conditions are met: a foggy and windy night when no one is watching; this *momonjī* causes the traveler it subsequently encounters to fall ill.[11]

Sekien's caption more or less matches [Kikuoka Senryō](/source/Kikuoka_Senry%C5%8D)'s commentaries in *Honchō seji danki* ([Kyōho](/source/Ky%C5%8Dho) 19/[1734](/source/1734)).[12] Here it is stated that the *nobusuma* eats fruits. It also slices off (the end) and extinguishes the torch a human is carrying at night, then breathes that same fire, and is feared on that account. This work merely states that the fleshy wing when folded resembles the bat's wings, and does not suggest it resembles a bat overall.[12][13]

### Bat-type, vampire

Yet according to the *[Ehon Hyaku Monogatari](/source/Ehon_Hyaku_Monogatari)* (published 1841) attributed to Tōka Sanijin and illustrated by [Takehara Shunsen](/source/Takehara_Shunsensai), an aging bat first turns into *nobusuma* then later into another monster called the *[yamachichi](/source/Yamachichi)* ([山地乳](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B1%B1%E5%9C%B0%E4%B9%B3)), which would suck the breath out of sleeping men. This results in death if *yamachichi'*s deed is unwitnessed, but has the opposite effect of lengthening the victim's life if spotted by another human.[2][14] Due to its nature of apparently feeding on humans, it is characterized as a "vampire" by an early 20th century English commentator.[2]

A legend in the *Baiō zuihitsu* (梅翁随筆)[c] collection claims that in the year 1798 (Kansei 10), a [weasel](/source/Weasel)-like winged beast was responsible for attacks on cats in Edo. It was caught, and had right and left wings of a sort, but not quite really wings at that. Someone identified the body as that of *nobusuma* which dwelt in the deep mountains.[15]

The same bat-like monster is called a *tobikura* (飛倉) and was purported to cover over the face of humans, according to the [*Kyōka Hyaku Monogatari*](/source/Ky%C5%8Dka_Hyaku_Monogatari) (1853) illustrated by Ryōsai Kanjin Masajumi (竜斎閑人正澄).[13] The *nobusuma* is also said to fly onto a person, and cover his eyes and mouth.[16][17][18] It is even said that while the *nobusama* [blindfolds](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/blindfold) and [gags](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gag) the victim (with its [forepaws](/source/Forepaw)), it will suck the blood out of the traveler it spots on a mountain path.[18]

## Iconography

As already alluded, the *nobusuma* has been illustrated by [Sekien](/source/Toriyama_Sekien) (1779).[19][1] and by [Shunsen](/source/Takehara_Shunsensai) in *Ehon Hyaku Monogatari* (1841/[Tenpō](/source/Tenp%C5%8D) 12).[20][21]

And the *tobikura* was depicted covering up the face of a person in *Kyōka Hyaku Monogatari* (1853/[Kaei](/source/Kaei) 6), painted by Ryōsai Kanjin (cf. fig. above).[15]

[Ukiyo-e](/source/Ukiyo-e) artist [Utagawa Kuniyoshi](/source/Utagawa_Kuniyoshi) has depicted swordsman [Miyamoto Musashi](/source/Miyamoto_Musashi) eradicating a bat-like *nobusuma* in the mountains (Musashi series, c. 1826-27/[Bunsei](/source/Bunsei) 9-10).[d] There is no historical basis for this, except that his training did take him all over the country.[15][17]

## Derivation

Sekien's illustration explains in caption that the *nobusuma* Is essentially a flying squirrel, as already noted.[22][1] A *musasabi* ([Japanese giant flying squirrel](/source/Japanese_giant_flying_squirrel)) burrows inside hollowed trees by day, and comes out at night to glide through the air. Such spooky conduct may have inspired an actual [mammal](/source/Mammal) being treated as a type of *yōkai*.[13] Since *musasabi* or the *momonga* ([Japanese dwarf flying squirrel](/source/Japanese_dwarf_flying_squirrel)) both have acute night vision, it could be blinded by bright torch or lantern light in the dark, causing it to latch on to humans. Such behavior could be mistaken for a *yōkai* attack experience, and spread by word of mouth.[13]

The encyclopedia *[Wakan Sansai Zue](/source/Wakan_Sansai_Zue)* (1712) has an entry for the beast, read as both *musasabi* and *nobusuma* [e]. It explains: "the name *nobusuma* is colloquial, while it is called *momoka* (毛毛加) [*sic*] in the [Kantō region](/source/Kant%C5%8D_region), and *itaojiki* (板折敷) in the western provinces". It is described as practically resembling a rat in fur color and shape, with fleshy wings. Then the encyclopedia defers the detailed description to the entry for "bats"[f] under the "land bird category" volume.[23][24]

The actual relevant entry is not "bats", but the next one for "flying squirrel", more specifically: "*[musasabi](/source/Musasabi)/nobusuma/momi/momoka*" (鸓鼠, Chinese] ([pinyin](/source/Pinyin)) *leishu*; ([romaji](/source/Romaji)): *rui chui*).[g][25] As is often is the case, the *Wakan Sansai Zue* entry here is derivative of the corresponding entry for the [*leishu*](/source/Complex-toothed_flying_squirrel) flying squirrel[h] in the Chinese compendium *[Bencao Gangmu](/source/Bencao_Gangmu)* (1596). Here [Su Song](/source/Su_Song) is quoted as saying "When the people in the South see them, they consider them to be abnormal",[26] though construed as "in the south many regard it as yōkai" in the Japanese translation.[i][27] Also, [Guo Pu](/source/Guo_Pu)'s annotation to the *[Erya](/source/Erya)* dictionary is quoted, which states that the "giant flying squirrels are shaped like small foxes,.. Their legs are short but their claws are long.. They consume smoke rising from fire",[26] also paraphrased in *Wakan Sansai Zue*,[24][28] and comparable to some of the descriptions and attributes of the yōkai given above.

## Relationship to *mami*

The *Ehon Hyaku Monogatari* also equates *nobusuma* to another yōkai named [*nodeppō*](/source/Nodepp%C5%8D), which is said to be a beast named *mami* ([猯](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%8C%AF)) turned old, and transmogrified into a yōkai.[20] Yōkai researcher [Katsumi Tada](/source/Katsumi_Tada) explains that this *mami* normally refers to a tanuki, but older sources including the *Wakan Sansai Zue* distinguish *mami* from *tanuki*, and *mami* could refer to other beasts including the *musasabi* flying squirrel. Thus perhaps it was this confusion that resulted in the legend as we know it.[29] [Hiroshi Aramata](/source/Hiroshi_Aramata) writes that *mami* referred to the *momonga* flying squirrel during the [Heian Period](/source/Heian_period), and legend has it that [Taira no Kiyomori](/source/Taira_no_Kiyomori) exterminated a yōkai named *momi* (毛朱) whose [grave](/source/Grave) had stood until the modern age.[17]

## See also

- [List of legendary creatures from Japan](/source/List_of_legendary_creatures_from_Japan)
- [*momonjī*](/source/Momonj%C4%AB)

## Explanatory notes

1. i.e. a "quilt" cover bedding, akin to [comforter](/source/Comforter).

1. Note that *fusu* (伏す) could mean "lie down, recline", "lie flat, take cover". The 伏 also recurs in 伏翼 (pinyin: *fuyi*, "reposed/foldable wing") as an alternate Chinese name for "bat" in a broad sense, evidently including flying squirrels.[30]

1. [Kansei](/source/Kansei) era, 1789–1801).

1. Japanese: "美家本武蔵 丹波の国の山中にて年ふる野衾を斬図". The name is actually changed from the correct surname "宮本", though still pronounced "Miyamoto".

1. The kanji 鼯鼠 read as 「むささひ」 「のふすま」

1. The Chinese name for bat 伏翼 is used.

1. Japanese: "鸓鼠 (むささひ もみ のふすま ももか)、ルイ チュイ".

1. Obviously the mammal the Chinese book talks about is not the Japanese giant flying squirrel, but its cousin, the [Complex-toothed flying squirrel](/source/Complex-toothed_flying_squirrel).[26]

1. Japanese: "南方ではこれを多く妖怪視している", Chinese: "【頌曰】..南人見之, 多以為怪".

## References

### Citations

1. Toriyama, Sekien (2017), ["Nobusuma"](https://books.google.com/books?id=Hj9-rgEACAAJ&pg=PT182), *Japandemonium Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopedias of Toriyama Sekien*, Translated by Hiroko Yoda & Matt Alt, Courier Dover Publications, p. 137, ISBN 9780486818757

1. Joly, Henri L. (1910). ["Bakemono"](https://books.google.com/books?id=gCY2AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA31-IA3) (in Japanese). *Transactions and Proceedings of Japan Society, London*. **9**: 27–28. Japan Society of London.

1. Uno, Tetsuto (ed.) (1983). ["Fusuma"](https://books.google.com/books?id=aTsQAQAAMAAJ&q=%22衾%22). *Shinshū Kokugo kanwa jiten* (in Japanese). Shueisha. p. 17. ISBN 9784084003614. 衾>掛け布団や夜着。意味 1 かぶせもの。かけぶとん。2 ねまき。寝衣。

1. Yamaori, Tetsuo (1990), [*Miyabi no shinsō: Nihon bunmei no sōzō*](https://books.google.com/books?id=MwxDAAAAYAAJ&q=衾), Nihon bunmeishi 4, Ueyama, Shunpei (ed.), Kadokawa Shoten, p. 92, ISBN 9784045217043

1. Chiba, Mikio (ed.) (1995). "Nobusuma". *Zenkoku yōkai jiten* (in Japanese). [Shogakukan](/source/Shogakukan). p. 72. ISBN 978-4-09-460074-2.

1. (Aramata & Ōya 2021). "[Nurikabe ぬり壁](https://books.google.com/books?id=ZtRMEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA118)", p. 118

1. Toriyama (2017), p. 131.

1. Japanese: "野套（のぶすま）は鼯（むささび）の異なり。形蝙蝠に似て、毛生（お）ひて翅（つばさ）も即[（すなわち）]肉なり。(cont.)",[19] whereas English translated "webbed wings" is a construed, not faithfully according to text.[1]

1. (Cont.) Japanese: "四の足あれども短く爪長くして、木の実をも喰らひ、又は火焔をもくへり。"[19]

1. Sekien's thinks momonjī is composite of *momonga* and Gagoji (元興寺), a sort of [bogeyman](/source/Bogeyman) name invoked to silence crying children, in the Kyoto area.[31]

1. Japanese: "百々爺（ももんじい）未詳。愚按ずるに、..[32][31]

1. Kikuoka Senryō (1841) *Honchō seji danki* (『本朝世事談綺』) also called *Kindai seji jidan* (『近代世事談』), Book 5, fol. 17 §Miscellany 雑事門 "Momongwa 摸々具和（ももんぐわ）" and "Gagōji 元興寺".[33][34]

1. Tada, Katsumi (2008). ["Yōkai sōran"](https://books.google.com/books?id=hagqAQAAIAAJ&q=のぶすま). *Yōkai gahon Kyōka hyaku monogatari* (in Japanese). [Kokusho Kankokai](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9B%BD%E6%9B%B8%E5%88%8A%E8%A1%8C%E4%BC%9A). p. 286. ISBN 978-4-3360-5055-7.

1. Tada, Kasumi (ed.) (1997 [1841]). [*Takehara Shunsen Ehon hyaku monogatari Tōsanjin yawa*](https://books.google.com/books?fid=P6c1AQAAIAAJ&のぶすま) (in Japanese). [Kokusho Kankokai](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9B%BD%E6%9B%B8%E5%88%8A%E8%A1%8C%E4%BC%9A). pp. 39, 90. ISBN 978-4-336-03948-4.

1. Isao (1999), p. 93.

1. Iwai, Hiromi (ed.) (2000). *Nihon no yōkai hyakka* (in Japanese). Vol. 3. [Kawade Shobō Shinsha](/source/Kawade_Shob%C5%8D_Shinsha). p. 47. ISBN 978-4-309-61383-3.

1. Aramata, Hiroshi & Ōya, Yasunori (2021). ["Nobusuma"](https://books.google.com/books?id=ZtRMEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA43). *Aramata Hiroshi no Nihon zenkoku yōkai mappu* (in Japanese). Shuwa System. p. 43. ISBN 9784798065076.

1. Miyamoto, Yukie (2013). "Fūri". *Nihon no yōkai FILE* (in Japanese). [Gakken](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%AD%A6%E7%A0%94). pp. 116–117. ISBN 978-4-054056-63-3.

1. Toriyama, Sekien (2021 [1779]), ["Nobusuma"](https://books.google.com/books?id=iPQ4EAAAQBAJ&pg=PT116), "Edo yōkaiga taizen" (in Japanese), Edo rekishi Library ([hdl:2324/422771](https://hdl.handle.net/2324/422771)@Kyushu University Library Collections lacks the relevant volume)

1. Tada (1997), p. 90.

1. Tanaka, Reigi (2003). [*Izumi Kyōka 'Kōya hijiri' sakuhinronshū*](https://books.google.com/books?id=byFNAQAAIAAJ&q=%22%E6%98%A5%E6%B3%89%22%2B%22%E9%87%8E%E8%A1%BE%22) (in Japanese). Kress Shuppan. p. 300. ISBN 9784877331412.

1. Murakami, Kenji (ed.) (2000). "nobusuma". *Yōkai jiten* (in Japanese). [Asahi Shinbunsha](/source/Asahi_Shinbunsha). p. 266. ISBN 978-4-620-31428-0.

1. Terajima, Ryōan (n.d. [1712]). ["39-kan. So-rui. Musasabi/Nobusuma"](https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/2596374/1/12) [Book 39. Rodent category. (Flying squirrel)]. *Wakan Sansai zue* (in Japanese). Vol. 27 of 81. fol. 18b. ([Musasabi/Nobusuma](https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/898161/52) in edition of Chūkindō, 1885. **39**: 90)

1. Terajima, Ryōan (1985 [1712]). ["Kan dai-39-kan. So-rui. Musasabi"](https://books.google.com/books?id=2aZIAAAAMAAJ&q=%E3%82%80%E3%81%95%E3%81%95%E3%81%B3) [Book 39. Rodent category. Squirrel-weasel.]. *Wakan Sansai zue*. Vol. 6. Heibonsha. p. 137. ISBN 9784582804478.

1. Terajima, Ryōan (n.d. [1712]). ["42-kan. Genkin-rui Musasabi/Momi/Nobusuma/Momoka"](https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/2596376/1/19) [Book 42. Land bird category. (Flying squirrel)]. *Wakan Sansai zue* (in Japanese). Vol. 29 of 81. fol. 17a–17b. ([Musasabi/Nobusuma](https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/898161/1/95) in edition of Chūkindō, 1885. **42**: 176)

1. Li Shizhen (2021). ["Land Fowl. Chapter 48-22. *Lei shu*"](https://books.google.com/books?id=NXUgEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA256). *Ben Cao Gang Mu, Volume IX: Fowls, Domestic and Wild Animals, Human Substances* (in Japanese). Translated by Paul U. Unschuld. Univ of California Press. pp. 256–258. ISBN 9780520976993.

1. Li, Shizhen (1931). ["Tori-bu dai-48-kan musasabi/nobusuma"](https://archive.org/details/kokuyakuhonzkmok11lishuoft/page/340/mode/2up). *Tōchū kokuyaku honzō kōmoku* (in Japanese). Vol. 11. Translated by Suzuki, Shikai. Shunyōdō. pp. 310–313.

1. Terajima (1985), p. 256.

1. Tada (1997), p. 156.

1. Cf. (Unschuld tr. 2021, p. 247)

1. (Toriyama 2017) Translated by Yoda; Alt. "[Momonjii](https://books.google.com/books?id=Hj9-rgEACAAJ&pg=PT172)", p. 147

1. (Toriyama 2021) "[Momonjī 百々爺（ももんじい）](https://books.google.com/books?id=iPQ4EAAAQBAJpg=PT126)" (in Japanese)

1. Kikuoka, Senryō (1734). ["Miscellany. Momongwa & Gakōji"](https://books.google.com/books?id=L2daAAAAcAAJ&pg=PP33). *Honchō seji danki /Kindai sejidan* (in Japanese). Vol. 5. Yorozuya Seibei. 17r–18r. (or [017r](https://archive.wul.waseda.ac.jp/kosho/bunko31/bunko31_e0410/bunko31_e0410_p0120.jpg)–[018r](https://archive.wul.waseda.ac.jp/kosho/bunko31/bunko31_e0410/bunko31_e0410_p01210.jpg)@Waseda University)

1. Mozume (1922), p. 500.

### Bibliography

- Isao, Toshihiko (ed.) (1999). [*Kuniyoshi yōkai hyakkei*](https://books.google.com/books?id=1HrrAAAAMAAJ&q=のぶすま) (in Japanese). [Kokusho Kankokai](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%9B%BD%E6%9B%B8%E5%88%8A%E8%A1%8C%E4%BC%9A). ISBN 978-4-336-04139-5.

- Mozume, Takami (ed.) (1922). ["Nobusuma"](https://books.google.com/books?id=5-8ZAQAAMAAJ&pg=PP533). *Kōbunko* (in Japanese). Vol. 15. Kōbunko Kankōkai. pp. 498–500.

1. A different type of *nobusuma* is the one known in the [Shikoku](/source/Shikoku) area, which should be distinguished according to [Hiroshi Aramata](/source/Hiroshi_Aramata). That type erects a *[fusuma](/source/Fusuma)* panel to block or blind passerby, and considered a subtype of *[nurikabe](/source/Nurikabe)*.[6] The two may be confused or conflated.[5]

1. Aramata states that *Momongā* (モモンガ―) was used as an invective to frighten children well into the post-war (post-1940s).[17]

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Nobusuma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobusuma) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobusuma?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.