THE SECRETS OF THE WATER GARDEN
A collection based on Japanese Yokai
JINJA HIME
A3
acrylic on canvas
Based on the Yōkai Jinja Hime from the collection “the secrets of the water garden part 3 “ A jinja hime is a serpentine creature with two horns on its head, a long tail, a dorsal fin, and flippers. The face is that of a human woman. It resembles a Japanese mermaid. They spend most of their lives underwater, and rarely interact with humans. They are the servants of Ryūgū, the palace of the sea dragon king.
HONENGAME
A3
acrylic on canvas
Hōnengame are aquatic yōkai living deep in the seas surrounding Japan, they have fortune-telling abilities and rarely appear before humans, only appearing if they have a message to deliver. They have the body of a turtle and the head of a human women with horns and flowing black hair. Their image was believed to have powerful protective abilities.
KAMIIKE HIME
A3
acrylic on canvas
Kamiike hime are a kind of fish and are of a large size. They have the head of a woman with long black hair topped with a pair of antlers. They live deep in the oceans only appearing to humans when they have a prophecy to deliver from the gods.
AMEFURI KOZO
A3
acrylic on canvas
Amefuri Kozo have the task of creating rainfall, resembling a young boy with a mischevious streak they like to steal umbrellas and wear them as hats, they are very shy and seldom interacts with people.
BAKEKUJIRA
A3
acrylic on canvas
Bakekujira an animated whale skeleton found in coastal whaling villages. On rainy nights seen near the sea surface, showing itself when rising as it would of in life, when breaking the water surface to take air. Sighting of a whale was seen as a blessing, villages could survive and gain wealth from the meat and oil, but this did not come without a price. It was though the souls of the whales killed lived on as Bakekujira, looking for revenge against those who prospered from their death. To see a Bakekujira was to be cursed. This curse was then brought back to the village and effected all in the form of famine, plague, fires and other disasters.
ONIBI
A3
acrylic on canvas
Onibi born from the bodies of dead humans or animals or born from malice. They are frequently found in natural areas in the spring and summer months and more so when it rains. Appearing as small balls of blue and white flames, usually in groups but can manifest in the victims face after draining the life force.
UMI BOZU
A3
Acrylic on canvas
Umi Bozu appear on calm nights. Without warning the waves whip up into a frenzy and from this emerges a titanic creature moving to destroy whatever ships lay in its path. There true form is unknown, they are roughly humanoid in shape and thought to be the spirit of drowned priests who were. cast into the sea by villagers, coming back to seek their revenge for their horrible death.
NINGYO
A3
Acrylic on canvas
Ningyo are different from the mermaids from western folklore. They are otherworldly nightmares, being more aquatic than human with supernatural powers. Eating the flesh of a Ningyo is believed to grant eternal youth and life but this carries with it great danger. A curse is put on anyone who tries to injure or catch ningyo and bring it back to their town, this can result in entire towns being swallowed up by earthquakes or tidal waves.
ISO ONNA
A3
acrylic on canvas
Iso Onna are vampires that wander beaches hunting for fisherman and travellers to feast upon. There is some confusion about appearance but it is generally agreed upon they appear as beautiful women with long, matted wet hair and translucent skin. Some say they have the body of serpents while others say they are large enough to crush anything in their path.
When approached they stun their victims with an ear splitting shriek, then using their hair to drain the blood while dragging their victim into the sea, they are also said to enchant their victims to their death with a mesmerising voice. Most commonly encountered during the holiday seasons of Obon and New Years Eve, when the border between worlds is thin.
KŌJIN
A3
acrylic on canvas
Kōjin are aquatic humanoids that resemble ningyo. Despite them having human facial features they are frightening in appearance having with dark scaly bodies and destroyed ugly features.
They are found the South China Sea, being known for their skill at weaving, they spend much of their lives working on their looms. They weave sea silk that is waterproof. When they cry which it is said they do often they cry tears of pearls.
AMABIE
A3
acrylic on canvas
Based on the Yōkai Amabie, they are mermaid-like Yōkai having a mixture of both fish and human characteristics. It is mentioned that their body glows and is covered in scales, they have long flowing hair with a beak like mouth. It is noted they appear on water to give prophecy’s concerning abundant harvests or disease and it is believed that keeping a picture of amabie would bring you good luck and protection against disease. There is little known about Amabie and only one recorded in history, it is thought that they are similar to Amabiko and it is possible the Amabie is a regional variation on Amabiko or possibly a typographical error.
ARIE
A3
acrylic on canvas
Based on the Yōkai Arie. Very little is known about this yōkai it is mentioned there has only ever been 1 sighting . They live in the sea and are covered in scales but have large bodies similar to sea lions, believed to walk on 4 legs when on land, it has a long thin neck and tail, and a long mane of hair. They are believed to speak and deliver prophecies and ward off evil spirits and keeping a picture of Arie is said to avert disaster.
AMABIKO
A3
acrylic on canvas
Amabiko is a peculiar yōkai which rises from the ocean to give prophecies. They are large in size with look ape like features covered in long hair. It is not sure if they are 3 or 4 legged as sightings of both have been reported. Not much is known about this yōkai, as throughout history they have only appeared a few times for a brief moment. They live in the sea surrounding Japan. Sighting follow a pattern: the yōkai rises from the sea, delivers a prophecy which is a bountiful harvest, followed by a period of disease and misfortune. It’s image is used to ward off disaster.
TSUCHIGUMO
A3
acrylic on canvas
Based on the Yōkai Tsuchigumo, purse web spiders, that after a long life can transform to yōkai, growing monstrous in size and able to catch humans with ease. Found in mountains and forests they use shape changing to deceive and capture prey.
NURE ONAGO
A3
acrylic on canvas
based on the yōkai Nure onago, they have the appearance of a young girl looking disheveled, wandering around dripping wet with leaves, twigs and other debris sticking to them. They are found in heavy rain on roads near any body of water. Attracting the pity by appearing so forlorn and they stick to their ‘saviour’ like glue, they have a unpleasant odour and constantly drip water, this doesn’t cause harm but it said the constant presence can ruin the rest of a person’s life. They have a desire for attention which is borne from heartbreak over the loss of their loved one through drowning. The only way to avoid this yōkai is to Ignore her and do not return her smile.
MINOBI
A3
acrylic on canvas
Minobi is found in rural area and this phenomenon of glowing tiny fire balls only appears when it’s wet and raining, usually seen near bodies of water all over Japan. These glowing fire balls gather in large numbers usually around people wearing mino ( traditional straw raincoats ) where it sticks and burns. Multiplying and growing larger when the wearer tries to put it out.