Image of Boroboroton

Boroboroton

The Boroboroton is a tsukumogami yōkai, and is believed to be evil and dangerous to humans. The Boroboroton is described as a tattered futon (a Japanese sleeping mat) who comes to life at night. It rises up into the air and throws its (former) owner out of bed, then begins to twine around the head and neck of the sleeper with the intent of strangling him. The Boroboroton belongs to a specific group of yōkai: the Tsukumogami. Tsukumogami are various yōkai derived from manmade objects, such as kitchenware, tools and everyday accessories, that have become alive, either through possession by spirits or ghosts, or through constant use for at least 90 to 100 years. Tsukumogami of this last origin often appear as new, or otherwise pristine condition despite their age. Boroboroton will come to life when feeling ignored or unneeded. As some kind of revenge (and out of frustration), they float through the rooms of inhabited houses at night and try to strangle any sleeping person they can find. Alternatively, they meet with other Tsukumogami and throw noisy parties or they leave the house and stroll around in search of other companion beings.
Alias Boroboroton (暮露々々団)
Real Names/Alt Names “Tattered futon”
Characteristics Yōkai, Enlightenment and Neoclassicism, Japanese
Creators/Key Contributors Toriyama Sekien, ○
First Appearance Japanese folklore
First Publisher
Appearance List Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro (百器徒然袋, “The Illustrated Bag of One Hundred Random Demons” or “A Horde of Haunted Housewares”, c. 1781) Vol. 2
Sample Read Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro Vol. 2 (c. 1781) [Smithsonian]
Description The Boroboroton is a tsukumogami yōkai, and is believed to be evil and dangerous to humans. The Boroboroton is described as a tattered futon (a Japanese sleeping mat) who comes to life at night. It rises up into the air and throws its (former) owner out of bed, then begins to twine around the head and neck of the sleeper with the intent of strangling him. The Boroboroton belongs to a specific group of yōkai: the Tsukumogami. Tsukumogami are various yōkai derived from manmade objects, such as kitchenware, tools and everyday accessories, that have become alive, either through possession by spirits or ghosts, or through constant use for at least 90 to 100 years. Tsukumogami of this last origin often appear as new, or otherwise pristine condition despite their age. Boroboroton will come to life when feeling ignored or unneeded. As some kind of revenge (and out of frustration), they float through the rooms of inhabited houses at night and try to strangle any sleeping person they can find. Alternatively, they meet with other Tsukumogami and throw noisy parties or they leave the house and stroll around in search of other companion beings.
Source Boroboroton – Wikipedia
Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro Vol. 2 (c. 1781) | Toriyama Sekien
Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro Vol. 2 (c. 1781) | Toriyama Sekien