Tsukumogami

March 06, 2026

Tsukumogami are a type of yokai from Japan. These are ordinary objects that have gained souls through some means. Usually this happened because the object was very old. It was believed that after a 100 years an object would receive a soul, making it conscious and giving it the ability to transform into a being who could interact with the world. Usually these objects would continue to behave themselves and not show off these abilities if they continued to be used and cherished by their owners. It was very old objects that were thrown away or abandoned that would start turning into creatures and misbehaving. They could do anything from pulling silly and annoying pranks to being actual threats. When an old object was broken and had to be discarded a small ceremony was held by the household to appease its spirit, and old objects in working order were not thrown away if it could be avoided. Cherishing old objects was part of the concept of mottainai, the desire to not be wasteful.

Another way objects could receive souls was if they were involved in some tragedy, or were close to potent spiritual powers. Objects that were owned by warriors who were killed on the battlefield were liable to become yokai, as well as those owned by Buddhist priests who achieved spiritual power but still failed to reach enlightenment for one reason or another.

It was important not to bring home objects from abandoned places or you would be inviting a mischievous yokai into your home to cause havoc.

The believe in objects having spirits was a Shinto believe that goes back before records were kept, but it was a relatively low priority belief and wasn’t formalized into a specific named concept. Around the medieval period the idea of tsukumogamis became very popular as they were used to spread the morals of Shingon Buddhism to the public. Belief in tsukumogami lasted many centuries until modern times, where it’s now regarded as something similar to fairy tales.

Here’s some specific tsukumogamis

Abumiguchi was a stirrup from a mounted warrior who had been killed in battle. It would become a small furry creature that would scurry around the battlefield.

Chochin Obake was a paper lantern that had come to life. It was capable of floating around with ghostly light like a will-o-wisp.

Eritategoromo was a Buddhist robe of a priest who was close to enlightenment but failed before death. The robe would come to life and continue the priest’s practices after death, but would be hostile if interrupted or disturbed.

Furuutsubo was an arrow quiver owned by an archer that died in battle.

Hahakigami was a broom come to life.

Kasa Obake is one of the more popular tsukumogamis, it’s an umbrella come to life. It’s also known as a karakasa kozo.

Hone Karakasa is a much larger umbrella, like a beach or table umbrella. Where the kasa obake is more humorous and mischievous, the hone karakasa is dangerous and vengeful.

Kinutanuki is a silk sash that has gained tanuki like features.

Kyorinrin are scrolls come to life. They obsess over knowledge and studying.

Narigama is a troublesome tsukumogami who is a cauldron come to life. It grows a goblin like body.

Shiro Uneri are tangled rags that have transformed into a snake or dragon.

Shogoro is a gong that has come alive and become a somewhat turtle like creatures.

Torikabuto is a Shinto priest’s hat transformed into a bird.

Waniguchi is a Shinto temple bell transformed into a reptile monster. It takes this form because the opening in the bottom of the bell is reminiscent of a crocodile or lizard’s mouth.