Azukiarai

{{short description|Phenomenon in Japanese folklore}} {{more footnotes|date=February 2014}} [[Image:ShunsenAzukiarai.jpg|thumb|160px|right|The ''azukiarai'' as depicted in Takehara Shunsen's Ehon Hyaku Monogatari.]] {{nihongo|'''Azukiarai'''|小豆洗い||"azuki bean washing"}}, or {{nihongo|'''Azukitogi'''|小豆とぎ||"azuki bean grinding"}}, is a ghostly phenomenon in Japanese folklore, in which a mysterious noise that sounds like azuki beans being washed or ground is heard. It usually occurs near a river or other body of water. Sometimes the creature or spirit responsible amuses itself by singing "''azuki togou ka, hito totte kuou ka? shoki shoki.''" ("Will I grind my azuki beans, or will I get a person to eat? ''shoki shoki''."), and anyone who approaches will inevitably fall into the water. {{citation needed|date=November 2011}}

While the perpetrator is seldom seen, he is often described as a short-statured man of grotesque appearance with a large balding head, crooked teeth, thin moustache, large bulging yellow eyes, wearing ragged clothes and bent over a pail washing ''azuki'' beans. ''Azukiarai'' is sometimes blamed on a ''tanuki'' (raccoon dog)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nichibun.ac.jp/YoukaiCard/0470007.shtml|title = アズキアライ | アズキアライ | 怪異・妖怪伝承データベース}}</ref> or weasel.{{citation needed|date=November 2011}}

==References== {{Reflist}} [http://www.top-page.jp/site/page/mizuki/complete_works/list/a002/] [http://www.nichibun.ac.jp/YoukaiCard/2360677.shtml] [http://www.nichibun.ac.jp/YoukaiCard/0700409.shtml] [http://www.nichibun.ac.jp/YoukaiCard/1070495.shtml] [http://www.nichibun.ac.jp/YoukaiCard/0870041.shtml] [http://www.nichibun.ac.jp/YoukaiCard/0470007.shtml] [http://obakemono.com/obake/azukiarai/]

Category:Yōkai