Aoandon
Encyclopedia
Aoandon, or Aoandō is a creature illustrated by Toriyama Sekien
in his Konjaku Hyakki Shūi
. It was meant to represent the spirit that appeared during Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai
meetings, after the last story was told. The candles in the room during these meetings were often placed in blue-paper andon
lamps in order to create an eerie atmosphere, hence this creature's name.
It appears as a human with a blue complexion and twin horns from its brow, and sharp teeth.[4]
Toriyama Sekien
thumb|200px| was an 18th century scholar and ukiyo-e artist of Japanese folklore. He was the teacher of Utamaro and, before taking up printmaking, a painter of the Kanō school. Toriyama is most famous for his attempt to catalogue all species of yōkai in the Hyakki Yakō series.-References:...
in his Konjaku Hyakki Shūi
Konjaku Hyakki Shui
is the third book of Japanese artist Toriyama Sekien's Gazu Hyakki Yakō series, published ca. 1781. These books are supernatural bestiaries, collections of ghosts, spirits, spooks and monsters, many of which Toriyama based on literature, folklore, and other artwork...
. It was meant to represent the spirit that appeared during Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai
Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai
was a popular parlour game during the Edo period in Japan.The game was a simple one. In a room, as night fell, one hundred candles were lit. Guests and players gathered around the candles, taking turns telling kaidan. After each kaidan, a single candle was extinguished, and the room slowly grew...
meetings, after the last story was told. The candles in the room during these meetings were often placed in blue-paper andon
Traditional lighting equipment of Japan
The traditional lighting equipment of Japan includes the andon , the bonbori , the chōchin , and the tōrō .-Andon:...
lamps in order to create an eerie atmosphere, hence this creature's name.
It appears as a human with a blue complexion and twin horns from its brow, and sharp teeth.[4]