Buruburu: The Chilling Spirit of Cowardice

What Exactly is Buruburu (震々)?

Ever felt an inexplicable chill run down your spine? Perhaps a sudden shiver, even when the heating is on full blast? Well, darling, you might just have encountered Buruburu (震々). This rather unpleasant Japanese yokai is essentially the embodiment of fear itself. Its very name is an onomatopoeia, mimicking the sound of shivering or trembling, which is quite fitting, don’t you think? Often dubbed the ‘spirit of cowardice’ or the ‘ghost of fear,’ Buruburu is far from a friendly presence.

The Not-So-Charming Appearance and Terrifying Tactics of Buruburu

While not always depicted, if you’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on your perspective), Buruburu might appear as a shaking old man or woman, sometimes even sporting a single eye. But its physical form is less important than its preferred method of terror. This sneaky spirit loves to follow people, causing them to shudder with fear. Its favourite trick is to cling to your shirt collar, or perhaps just gently caress the back of your neck. The result? Your hair stands on end and uncontrollable shivers wrack your body. Talk about a ghastly handshake! It’s all about inducing that overwhelming sense of dread, often leading its victims to an unfortunate end by fright.

The Curious Case of Buruburu’s Origins

So, where do these shivering spectres come from? According to Japanese folklore, Buruburu can be born from acts of pure cowardice, such as a soldier legging it from battle. It’s almost as if the universe is saying, ‘Shame on you, here’s a spooky reminder!’ Other tales suggest they emerge when a person meets a terrifying demise, their soul carrying that intense terror into the afterlife. The famous Edo period illustrator, Toriyama Sekien, even depicted Buruburu rather dramatically, rising from a hole created by an uprooted tree. They’re also known by a couple of aliases, such as Zozogami (ぞぞ神) or Okubyohgami (臆病神), both of which delightfully translate to similar shiver-inducing concepts.

How to Give Buruburu the Boot: Fighting Back Against Fear

Right, so you’ve got Buruburu problem. What’s a brave (or at least, not entirely cowardly) soul to do? Thankfully, there are a few traditional deterrents for these fearful phantoms. Just like many other malevolent spirits, iron and salt are considered rather effective. Historically, iron has been seen as a weapon against supernatural nasties, while salt is a symbol of purity, often used in Shinto rituals to repel spirits. So, perhaps a bit of seasoning and a sturdy iron gate might keep Buruburu at bay. Intriguingly, it’s also said that you can scare Buruburu to death itself. Imagine that! If you can figure out what truly terrifies this ghost of fear, you might just send it packing for good. Now that’s what I call poetic justice.

Don’t Let Buruburu Get You!

Whether you believe in them or not, Buruburu serves as a fascinating piece of Japanese folklore, reminding us that fear can be a powerful, almost tangible, entity. So, next time you feel an unexpected shudder, a prickle on your neck, or a sudden, unexplained wave of anxiety, perhaps check over your shoulder. It might just be Buruburu, looking for its next victim to give a good old fright!