Shikome

What it is

The Shikome is a figure from Japanese mythology described as a hag or demon-woman. She appears in the oldest chronicles of Japan as an agent of death and decay. Her primary role is to pursue her former husband, Izanagi, after he violates a taboo by viewing her in her rotting state within the realm of the dead. The name translates directly to 'Ugly Woman of the Underworld'. Some texts suggest she may represent a collective group of eight hags rather than a single individual. She serves as an obstacle between the living world and the spirit realm.

Where it comes from

The character originates from ancient Japanese mythological texts, specifically the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki. In the Kojiki, she is named Yomotsu-shikome and acts alone. The Nihon Shoki offers a variant reading where she is called Yomotsu-hisame and may be one of eight female oni. These accounts differ in detail but share the core narrative of her pursuit of Izanagi following his escape from Yomi-no-kuni, the land of the dead. The variation suggests different regional or textual traditions regarding the nature of these underworld spirits.

How it is done

Izanagi attempts to delay the Shikome during his flight from the Underworld. He casts down his black headdress, which transforms into grapes that she devours. He then breaks his comb, scattering teeth that become bamboo shoots, which she pulls out to eat. These transformations slow her progress. Eventually, Izanami herself joins the pursuit. Izanagi throws three peaches, which cause the pursuers to retreat. He finally seals the entrance to the underworld with a large boulder to prevent further entry.

Tools and materials

The narrative features several items used as obstacles. A black headdress becomes grapes. A comb known as Yutsu-tsuma-gushi turns into bamboo shoots. Three peaches are thrown to repel the entities. Izanagi also wields a sword called Totsuka-no-Tsurugi. In some versions of the Nihon Shoki, urine is cast upon a tree to create a river barrier. These items serve as temporary delays rather than weapons of destruction.

What it is for

The Shikome functions as a guardian or enforcer of the boundary between life and death. Her pursuit is triggered by Izanagi's breach of ritual protocol regarding the dead. She represents the inevitability of decay and the consequences of disturbing the natural order of the underworld. Her actions ensure that those who enter the realm of the dead do not easily return to the world of the living without consequence.

Who does it

Scholars analyze the Shikome through the lens of comparative mythology and religious studies. Commentators note connections between the peach motif in this story and broader beliefs in the supernatural warding powers of peaches in Japanese tradition. The figure is often compared to other mythological characters like Momotarō, who also defeats oni using similar symbolic elements. Researchers study the variations between the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki to understand the development of Japanese mythological narratives.

Peoples and places

The Shikome is specific to Japanese mythology and culture. She appears in the foundational texts of Japan, the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki. The narrative reflects indigenous Japanese beliefs about the underworld, death, and the separation of realms. The figure is distinct from other global underworld entities but shares thematic similarities with spirits that guard transitions between life and death.

What people believe

The story illustrates beliefs about the purity required when dealing with death. Izanagi’s shame and subsequent flight highlight the taboo against witnessing decay. The transformation of personal items into food reflects a magical worldview where objects hold transformative power. The use of peaches as repellents ties into enduring folk beliefs about their protective qualities against evil spirits and demons in Japanese culture.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Academic analysis focuses on the structural similarities between the Shikome narrative and other pursuit myths. Researchers point to the Aarne-Thompson Tale Type 313, which involves an obstacle flight. The connection to the Momotarō legend is frequently cited to demonstrate recurring motifs in Japanese folklore. Scholars also examine the role of thunder deities mentioned in some versions of the pursuit, linking them to broader cosmological themes in early Japanese religion.

Compare and confuse

The Shikome is related to other underworld figures such as Eurynomos and Lampad from Greco-Roman mythology. She shares traits with Baba Yaga, another formidable female figure associated with the boundary between worlds. The motif of fleeing from a pursuing hag is common in global folklore. The term 'oni' links her to a broader class of demons in Japanese tradition, distinguishing her from human spirits or ancestral ghosts.

Questions people ask about Shikome

Good reading and sources

• Shikome on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data