The Yosei & The Kijimuna
In Japanese beliefs, there are sprites that are referred to as the “yōsei”. They are depicted as small, beautiful young women with red or ginger hair, very similar to that of Irish mythology. Yosei can take on various forms and have different attributes varying depending on the region in Japan.
One story of the Yosei is “The Crane Wife.” A poor man rescues a wounded crane in the forest and nurses it back to health. To repay this kindness, the crane transforms into a beautiful woman and becomes his wife.
The woman possesses magical weaving abilities and creates exquisite silk fabric that they sell for a good price, bringing prosperity to their household. However, she asks her husband never to watch her weave, as it is a secret (for much is secretive in the fairy world.) Over time, the man becomes curious and peeks into the room where his wife weaves, only to discover that she is actually the crane he saved. Heartbroken by his betrayal, the crane wife flies away, leaving behind a feathered cloak as a farewell gift. This story highlights themes of kindness, gratitude, and the consequences of breaking trust. It also shows the mystical and transformative nature of yosei in Japanese folklore, where beings from the natural world can take on human form and bring both blessings and challenges to those they encounter.
In Okinawan lore, they are known as the Kijimuna, or Bunagaya, and lore portrays them as small framed, red haired, skilled fishermen who would trade things with humans. The Kijimuna are said to love music, dancing, and pranking humans who disrespect their forest homes. They are said, though, to be friendly to those who show kindness and respect.
“The Kijimuna and the Fisherman” tells of a fisherman named Taro encounters a mischievous Kijimuna while fishing near a banyan tree on the beach. The Kijimuna, with its playful demeanor, approaches Taro and offers to help him catch more fish. Intrigued, Taro accepts the Kijimuna’s offer, and together they have a successful day of fishing. As a token of gratitude, Taro shares his catch with the Kijimuna. As the sun falls and the moon rises, the Kijimuna becomes mischievous and starts playing pranks on Taro by hiding his fishing tools and making odd noises. Despite the Kijimuna’s antics, Taro finds humor in the situation and enjoys the company of his new friend. As dawn breaks, the Kijimuna bids farewell to Taro, leaving behind a small gift as a token of their friendship. Taro realizes that the Kijimuna’s playful nature brought joy and laughter to his life, and he looks forward to their next encounter by the banyan tree. This story of “The Kijimuna and the Fisherman” showcases the playful and sometimes troublesome nature of the Kijimuna, as well as the bond that can form between humans and these mythical creatures in Okinawan folklore.
There are many stories of both the Kijimuna and the Yosei, most of which involve a human friend/ally betraying them, causing them to go into hiding, which allows you to explore your imagination as to our relationships with such mystical creatures.
