Shirime is a mythical creature that originates from Japanese folklore. According to legend, Shirime has an eye in the place of his anus, which he uses to scare people late at night. Despite its strange appearance, Shirime is considered harmless and is not known to cause any harm to humans.
The story of Shirime goes back to ancient times when a samurai was walking at night down the road to Kyoto. He heard someone calling out for him to wait, and when he turned around, he saw a strange creature with an eye in the place of his anus. The samurai was frightened at first, but he soon realized that the creature was not harmful and was only trying to scare him.
Shirime is just one of many yokai, or mythical creatures, that can be found in Japanese folklore. These creatures are often depicted as spirits, demons, and shapeshifters, and they can be either good or evil. Despite their often frightening appearance, yokai are an important part of Japanese culture and continue to be celebrated in art, literature, and popular culture.
Origins of Shirime
Cultural Significance
Shirime is a yokai, a supernatural creature in Japanese folklore. Its name translates to “butt eye” in English, referring to the single large eye located where its anus should be. Shirime is known for its habit of scaring people, particularly travelers, by revealing its unique feature. Despite its startling appearance, Shirime is not known to be harmful and is often depicted as a mischievous prankster.
Historical References
The origins of Shirime are unclear, but it has been referenced in various texts throughout Japanese history. One of the earliest known references to Shirime is in the “Gazu Hyakki Yagyō” (The Illustrated Night Parade of a Hundred Demons), a collection of yokai illustrations and descriptions from the Edo period. In the book, Shirime is depicted as a bald, naked man with an eye in place of his anus.
Shirime has also been referenced in modern Japanese media, including video games and anime. In 2023, a PC game titled “Shirime: The Curse of Butt-Eye” was released, featuring the yokai as its main character. Despite its long history, Shirime remains a popular and enduring figure in Japanese folklore.
Physical Description
Eye Feature
Shirime is a mythical creature of Japanese folklore that has a unique feature – an eye in place of its anus. This feature is the most distinctive aspect of Shirime’s physical appearance. The eye is said to be large and unblinking, and it can move around to observe its surroundings. It’s unclear whether Shirime has any other eyes or if the anus-eye is the only one it possesses.
Form and Movement
Shirime’s form is described as that of a normal human being. It wears a kimono to look more human from afar, which helps it to entice people. However, its face is completely blank, lacking any facial features. Shirime’s movement is said to be fluid and graceful, allowing it to move quickly and silently. It’s known to scare lonely travelers on the road, often appearing suddenly and without warning. Despite its frightening appearance, Shirime is generally considered to be harmless.
Shirime Encounters
Folk Tales
According to Japanese folklore, Shirime is a yokai that likes to scare people late at night. The story goes that a samurai was walking at night down the road to Kyoto when he heard someone calling out for him to wait. When he turned around, he saw a man with no face and an eye in the place of his anus. The samurai was frightened and ran away, but the strange creature chased after him, shouting, “Wait! I just want to show you something!”
Another folktale tells the story of a man who was walking home late at night when he heard someone following him. When he turned around, he saw a man with no face and an eye in the place of his anus. The strange creature introduced itself as Shirime and asked the man to look into its eye. The man was too frightened to comply and ran away.
Modern Sightings
There have been no confirmed sightings of Shirime in modern times. However, there have been reports of strange creatures lurking in the shadows at night, particularly in rural areas of Japan. Some people claim to have seen a man with no face and an eye in the place of his anus, but these sightings have not been verified.
Despite the lack of evidence, Shirime remains a popular figure in Japanese folklore and continues to fascinate people around the world. Whether he is real or not, his legend lives on, and his strange appearance continues to capture the imaginations of those who hear his story.
Symbolism and Interpretation
Metaphorical Meanings
Shirime, the mythical creature with an eye in place of its anus, has several metaphorical meanings. One interpretation is that it represents the fear of the unknown, as it appears to be a human from afar, but upon closer inspection, it reveals its true form. This can be seen as a warning to not judge people based on their appearance alone, as there may be hidden aspects to their character.
Another interpretation is that Shirime represents the fear of being watched or judged, as it has a large eye in a vulnerable area of its body. This can be seen as a warning to not be too self-conscious, as it can lead to paranoia and anxiety.
Influence on Popular Culture
Shirime has had a significant influence on popular culture, particularly in Japan. It has been featured in various forms of media, including anime, manga, and video games. In the anime series “Natsume’s Book of Friends,” Shirime appears as a friendly yokai who helps the protagonist. In the video game “Persona 5,” Shirime appears as a persona that can be summoned by the player.
Shirime has also been referenced in Western media, such as the TV show “Supernatural,” in which a character mentions encountering a yokai with an eye in its butt. Overall, Shirime’s unique appearance and folklore have made it a memorable and intriguing mythical creature that continues to captivate audiences.
Artistic Depictions
Traditional Art
Shirime, the mythical creature with an eye on its buttocks, has been a popular subject in traditional Japanese art. One of the most famous depictions of Shirime can be found in the “Hyakki Yagyō Emaki”, a scroll that depicts various yokai. In this scroll, Shirime is shown wearing a kimono and a hat, with its back turned to the viewer, revealing its eye on its buttocks.
Another traditional artwork featuring Shirime is the “Gazu Hyakki Yagyō” (The Illustrated Night Parade of a Hundred Demons) by Toriyama Sekien. In this artwork, Shirime is depicted as a bald, naked man with its face turned to the side, revealing its eye on its buttocks.
Contemporary Media
In contemporary media, Shirime has been portrayed in various forms, including anime, manga, and video games. In the anime “Gegege no Kitaro”, Shirime appears as a recurring character, depicted as a friendly yokai who helps Kitaro and his friends.
In the video game “Persona 5”, Shirime appears as a persona, a manifestation of a character’s inner psyche. In this game, Shirime is depicted as a humanoid creature with an eye on its buttocks, wearing a kimono and a hat.
Overall, Shirime’s unique appearance has made it a popular subject in both traditional and contemporary art forms.