Akaname

Summary: Beware the grime you leave behind: the Akaname, a child-sized yōkai, haunts filthy bathhouses and bathrooms, licking scum and mildew with a grotesquely long tongue. Nocturnal and non-aggressive, it symbolizes disease and neglect. Slimy trails, foul odors, and faint licking suggest its presence. Cleanliness, salt, and charms keep it away.

“Beware the grime you leave behind… for something hungers in the dark.”

The Akaname (垢嘗め), literally meaning “filth licker,” is a repulsive and elusive yōkaiYōkai, “bewitching apparitions,” are supernat said to haunt dirty places—especially bathhouses and bathrooms that have been left uncleaned. More nuisance than malicious, this creature is drawn to human neglect and feeds on grime, scum, and mildew that accumulate in unsanitary conditions. It serves as both a supernaturalSupernatural narratives evoke forces beyond nature More pest and a cautionary tale promoting cleanliness.

Classification

Physical Description

Akaname are small, goblin-like yōkaiYōkai, “bewitching apparitions,” are supernat that dwell exclusively in the filthiest homes and public baths. They are roughly the size of a child or small adult, though they often seem smaller because of their hunched posture. They have a mop of greasy, slimy hair on their heads. Their bodies are bare, with skin that is as greasy as their hair.

They come in various colors and types, ranging from a dark, patchy green that looks like mold to a reddish pink resembling bedsores. Some have one eye, while others have two, and their fingers and toes can number anywhere from one to five [1]Yokai.com . They all possess an extremely long, sticky tongue, which they use to lick up slime, grease, hair, and other grime found in bathhouses and behind toilets [2]Foster, Michael Dylan (2015). The Book of Yokai: Mysterious Creatures of Japanese FolkloreFolklore encompasses myths, legends, jokes, prover More. University of California Press. p. 232 and Fig. 28 .

Traits & Behavior

This creature is nocturnal and only emerges under the cover of night. It enjoys silence and darkness. In the dark it is nearly invisible to the naked eye. The Akaname is non-aggressive. It is not known to harm humans directly and will not attack or cause physical harm, however the threat it does pose is as a spreader of disease.

The Akaname is stealthy and maintains a low profile to evade detection. It avoids confrontation at all costs and will immediately flee if it is seen or heard by anyone. It is obsessively drawn to grime, mold, and bath scum, which serve as its primary source of sustenance and survival in human habitats [3] Iwai (1986), p. 139 and Iwai (2000), p. 42 . You will never find the filth licker in a clean bathroom.

The Akaname serves as a supernaturalSupernatural narratives evoke forces beyond nature More hygiene reminder. Its eerie presence is a spiritual warning sign, alerting humans to household neglect and urging them to maintain cleanliness and proper hygiene [4]Yamaoka Genrin; Yamaoka Genjo edd., (1686) Kokon hyakumonogatari hyōban 古今百物語評判, Book 2, Part 6 “Akaneburi no koto 垢ねぶりの事” .

Abilities

Cultural Significance

The Akaname emerged during Japan’s Edo Period, a time when indoor bathhouses became more widespread and personal hygiene more routine. It likely served a didactic purpose, especially for children, to encourage cleanliness by attaching a sense of supernaturalSupernatural narratives evoke forces beyond nature More dread to filth. Its existence reinforced societal norms about hygiene in the home.

In Kansai regions it is said to have more amphibious features and a croaking call. In Tohoku lore, it is believed Akaname can evolve into a more malevolent being if its presence is ignored long enough. If ignored and the bathroom left unclean the Akaname brings disease to the home and spreads illness. It is even said to attract more aggressive yōkaiYōkai, “bewitching apparitions,” are supernat into the home [5]“They spread disease, and so it is wise to not let these creatures settle”. Monsters and Beasts Bestiary .

Encounters and Signs

How to know if your home has attracted the filth licker yōkai.

If you answered yes to any of the above, you may well be a prime target and attract an Akaname. In this case you have two options. First, clean the bathroom, toilet and shower, and be certain no Akaname is going to invade your home. Second, you can choose not to clean and risk illness and possible death, but will need to be vigilant and check daily for the following signs:

Protection and Remedies

Related Creatures: