Comments on: A-Yokai-A-Day: Umibozu

By: Umiii

Umiii — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 17:06:27 +0000

Hello! Love the story, but I feel like I should point out; the reason that a bottomless barrel stops them is, they try to fill it with water, but since a bottomless barrel can’t be filled, they keep trying to refill it. This confuses the Umi Bōzu long enough for the sailors to escape. Thanks again for the story, and keep up the great work!

By: A-Yokai-A-Day: Umi-zatō | MatthewMeyer.net

A-Yokai-A-Day: Umi-zatō | MatthewMeyer.net — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 12:28:38 +0000

[…] all. Because he bears such a strong resemblance in appearance and in name to another yokai called umi-bōzu, it is now commonly accepted that umi-zatō is a variant species of umi-bōzu. Umi-zatō are said […]

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 11:56:09 +0000

In reply to Ants.

That’s pretty cool! I haven’t heard that story. I wonder if it is true or just folklore… Either way, it definitely sounds like it might be connected in some way with the idea of Umi-bouzu. I’ll have to look more into this. 🙂

By: Ants

Ants — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 09:38:42 +0000

Re: monks lost at sea, I recently read the short story “Passage to Fudaraku” by Inoue Yasushi (author of Tun-Huang and several other historical novels) in the Oxford Book of Japanese Short Stories. It features abbots of a certain monastery who, at a certain point in their lives, have themselves essentially trapped in little windowless boats which are then released into the sea, the idea being that they will reach the island of Fudaraku (the abode of Kannon) where the corpses of the unfortunate monks (who have meanwhile understandably died of dehydration or drowning) will revive and bliss will follow. This appears (disturbingly) to be based on a real practice. (I personally find the detail of being trapped inside the boat particularly distressing: at least give them a chance to change their minds and relocate). Could sceptics have decided that the poor monks became Umi-Bozu instead?!

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 01:48:53 +0000

In reply to Adenoid H.. Haha, awesome nickname! Thanks a lot!

By: Adenoid H.

Adenoid H. — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 21:16:01 +0000

Thanks Matt, as a dear friend decided that when I get out dressed with military trousers I look as “Umibozo”…I decided to look on the Internet…mmmhhh: better than Wikipedia!
Best…!

By: Victor

Victor — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 03:06:40 +0000

Reminds me of the villain from Samurai Jack 🙂

By: Adam Humphrey

Adam Humphrey — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:41:02 +0000

Great posts so far, really enjoying reading them. Your artwork is very cool and has a great style to it. I just thought however that i would mention I think you have the stories mixed up with this yokai. The Funa Yurei are the ghosts of dead sailors that scuttle ships with ladels and the Umibozu simply crash into ships with their huge size. Even so great write-ups, I look forward to reading more!

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:12:29 +0000

Thanks Adam! I got the info about the umibozu from Wikipedia, but looking at some other places, it seems you’re right. Thanks for pointing that out. 🙂 In either case, I don’t think I’d want to meet either one of these guys at sea!