Image of Nyoijizai

Nyoijizai

Nyoijizai is a nyoi, a kind of priest’s staff, which has turned into a yokai after existing for many many years. It also bears a very strong resemblance to a mago-no-te, (literally “granchild’s hand”) a backscratcher. Its only power is its ability to scratch that itchy spot on your back which you just can’t seem to reach, no matter how hard you try. Nyoijizai’s name is a play on words. While nyoi is a term for a priest’s staff, it can also mean “as you wish;” and jizai means “freely” or “at will.” While this name evokes an animated staff, its also literally means, “exactly as you please.” Thus, nyoijizai is an animated back-scratching staff that allows you to freely scratch any place you wish, exactly as you please.
Alias Nyoijizai (如意自在)
Real Names/Alt Names “Free staff”, “Exactly as you please”
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 Nyoijizai is a nyoi, a kind of priest’s staff, which has turned into a yokai after existing for many many years. It also bears a very strong resemblance to a mago-no-te, (literally “granchild’s hand”) a backscratcher. Its only power is its ability to scratch that itchy spot on your back which you just can’t seem to reach, no matter how hard you try. Nyoijizai’s name is a play on words. While nyoi is a term for a priest’s staff, it can also mean “as you wish;” and jizai means “freely” or “at will.” While this name evokes an animated staff, its also literally means, “exactly as you please.” Thus, nyoijizai is an animated back-scratching staff that allows you to freely scratch any place you wish, exactly as you please.
Source Nyoijizai – Yokai.com
Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro Vol. 2 (c. 1781) | Toriyama Sekien
Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro Vol. 2 (c. 1781) | Toriyama Sekien