Abura-bou
In times when oil was a rare and precious commodity extracted from plants and fish, stealing or mishandling it was considered a grave crime. Those who stole oil were believed to be transformed into yokai, as a moral lesson against such transgressions.
Regions and Locations Associated with This Yokai
Shiga Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture / Mountains, Villages
Excerpts from the books of Kunio Yanagita
The mysterious fire that appears at night from late spring to summer is known as Abura-bo (Oil Flame). It is said that a monk from Mount Hiei, who stole oil, was transformed into this fire as punishment.
