Hitotsume-kozōs are one of the popular yōkais of Japanese folklore. These cyclops, like creatures, are famous for being mischievous and then harmful. Unlike their Greek counterparts, the Hitotsume-kozōs are usually short-heighted beings, often considered dwarfs; they are usually depicted as a bald child or a man with one eye in the middle. The word Hitotsume-kozō itself translates to “one-eyed little monk,” making their name their physical description.
The Japanese illustrations and literature commonly depict Hitotsume-kozō as cute, funny beings that cause minor disruptions to the people whom they encounter. According to different depictions, Hitotsume-kozō loves to play pranks on humans. These yōkai, like the karakasa-obake, are known for their mischievous and childish nature.
Many Asian cultures are very much associated with their foods and different exotic cuisines. Japan is also famous for its delicacy, reflecting its impact on its different folklore. According to the ancient depiction, the Hitotsume-kozōs are very much obsessed with beans. However, over the course time, these creatures have become more associated with tofu than beans. This can be a result of various cultural changes and regional interpretations, or it can be an association with another yōkai, Tofu-kozō, which is exclusively associated with tofu and can do anything for one bite.
Another famous depiction is found in the book “Kaidanoi no Tsue” by Tōsaku Ikō, in which the Hitotsume-kozō is depicted as a ten-year-old little boy who wears traditional Japanese clothes and disturbs Ojima Yakiemon during his visit to an estate of the Asanuno samurai family, situated in present-day Tokyo. The story follows as the creature torments the house, throwing ancient scrolls all around and running like a mischievous child whenever it gets caught. But when it was eventually caught showing its one eye, it made Ojima Yakiemon unconscious. But they were able to coexist afterwards and play light-hearted practical jokes on one another. The way Hitotsume-kozō is portrayed here emphasises the fun and mischievous side rather than it being a demonic entity.
In some areas of Japan, specifically in the Kantō region, bamboo baskets are placed on certain days, such as the twelfth month of the lunisolar calendar, with the idea that this will help ward off the spirit of Hitotsume-kozō. Even though these spirits are generally good-natured, occasionally they cause mischief in a home by throwing clothes and other objects, leaving the place messy for special occasions like New Year’s. Therefore, on these particular days, this ritual is carried out to drive away the spirit of Hitotsume-kozō.
Hitotsume-kozō symbolises the spirit of a child who is playful yet naughty. Though their intentions are not to harm anyone, sometimes their wrongdoings lead a person to get irritated. Thanks to the different Japanese interpretation, the Hitotsume-kozōs are not yet misunderstood, unlike their other counterparts.