Ao Bozu

The Ao Bōzu are Yokai of Japan whose name means “blue monk.” They live in fields, on lonely roads, and in uninhabited houses. They often eat children. They resemble a priest with blue skin and one eye, though the description can vary in size, number of eyes, and where they live. They possess a strong connection to magic. The word “ao” can mean blue or green and often relates to immaturity or inexperience. There are some similarities between this creature and the Hitotsume Kozō. In mythology, one-eyed monsters or lower gods often served the bidding of higher deities. They could be kept at bay with items such as woven baskets as they saw the multiple holes as a lot of eyes and would run away.

-In Shizuoka, it appeared in the fields at sunset. It would take any children running through the fields during this time. This form likely served as a form of bogeyman figure.

-In Kagawa, it would ask young women at night if they wanted to hang by their neck. If she responded no, it would leave her alone, if she ignored him or didn’t respond then it would rush forward, knock her out, and then hang her.

-In Yamaguchi they were considered minor deities. They would appear on the roads and challenge humans to wrestle. They were the size of children but possessed supernatural strength and speed that could prove lethal.

-In Okayama they were two eyed giants and lived in uninhabited homes. 

Citations:

Meyer, Matthew. The Hour of Meeting Evil Spirits: An Encyclopedia of Mononoke and Magic. United States, Matthew Meyer, 2015.