23) Japan - 12. Zashiki-warashi

In Korea, they are called 'Jwashikdong', 'Jwashikdongja', 'Jwabudong', or 'Jwabudongja' by directly adopting the Sino-Korean pronunciation of the Chinese characters. Its origin is the Ninohe City area in Iwate Prefecture, Tohoku region, and it is also the mascot character of Ninohe City. At Maro Shrine in Kintaichi, Ninohe City, Zashiki-warashi are enshrined as deities. Despite being a yokai, Zashiki-warashi resides in the tatami rooms of a house and has characteristics of a household deity or guardian spirit that brings good fortune. Conversely, it is said that if a Zashiki-warashi leaves the house, the house will fall into ruin. In Japanese folklore, such as in Kunio Yanagita's 'Tono Monogatari,' Jwabudong is generally known as a young boy, but depending on the tradition, there are also tales of a little girl in red clothes, an old woman or man, or only slender, long hands being seen, or only sounds being heard. Nowadays, they often appear as a little girl in various media. In the Iwaizumi region, it was also believed that if a wooden statue resembling a child was buried under the tatami room floor when building a new house, a Zashiki-warashi would visit.