Tenjo-name: The Long Tongue of Japan’s Ceiling Licker
Imagine lying in bed at a traditional Japanese inn, staring up at the wooden ceiling in the dead of night. In the faint moonlight, you notice a dark stain in the grain of the wood. As you blink, a long, rough tongue descends from the darkness, lapping at the timber. You have just encountered the Tenjo-name (天井嘗), literally translated as the “Ceiling Licker.”
While Japan is famous for its majestic shrines and bustling cities, its folklore is populated by yokai—strange supernatural creatures that inhabit the fringes of daily life. Among these, the Tenjo-name stands out not for its ferocity, but for its bizarre and oddly specific behavior. For travelers and culture enthusiasts, understanding this creature offers a fascinating glimpse into the domestic fears and superstitions of Edo-period Japan.
Origins of the Ceiling Licker
The Tenjo-name is not a creature born of ancient mythology in the same vein as the gods of the creation myths. Instead, it is a product of the Edo period (1603–1867), a time when ghost stories and folklore catalogues were flourishing in popular culture.
The creature was most famously cataloged by Toriyama Sekien, the renowned scholar and artist of the 18th century. It appears in his seminal work, Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro (The Illustrated Bag of One Hundred Random Demons). Sekien often took vague superstitions or puns and gave them visual form. In the case of the Tenjo-name, it is believed he was personifying the mysterious water stains, mold, and darkening wood patterns that naturally appear on the ceilings of old, damp Japanese houses.
Culturally, the yokai embodies the concept of neglect. In Japanese belief, objects or homes that are not cared for can develop spirits or attract supernatural entities. A dirty ceiling was a sign of a household in decline, and the Tenjo-name was the grotesque manifestation of that decay.
The Legend: A Tongue That Never Ends
According to folklore, the Tenjo-name is a tall, gaunt, and somewhat humanoid figure, often depicted with unkempt hair and clad in loose robes. However, its defining feature is an incredibly long, muscular tongue capable of reaching from the floor to the high rafters of traditional architecture.
The legend suggests that the Tenjo-name only appears in houses that are dark, uninhabited, or poorly maintained. When the lights go out, this yokai emerges to lick the accumulated dust, soot, and spiderwebs off the ceiling. While this might sound like a helpful cleaning service, the result is quite the opposite. Wherever the Tenjo-name licks, it leaves behind fresh, unsightly stains that are impossible to scrub away.
Some interpretations of the legend take a psychological turn. It is said that the Tenjo-name creates new stains that resemble frightening faces to terrify the inhabitants. If a person catches the yokai in the act, it is known to be mischievous, sometimes licking the sleeper’s face with its cold, slimy tongue, though it is rarely lethal. It serves as a spooky reminder to homeowners: keep your house clean, or the darkness will claim it.
Modern Culture and Media
Despite its grotesque appearance, the Tenjo-name has found a permanent home in modern Japanese pop culture. The creature’s unique design makes it a favorite in manga, anime, and video games.
It was popularized in the 20th century by Shigeru Mizuki, the manga artist responsible for GeGeGe no Kitaro. Mizuki’s adorable yet creepy rendition of the Ceiling Licker introduced the yokai to a new generation of children. In the popular franchise Yo-kai Watch, the character “Lickist” acts as a modern homage to this classic spirit.
You can also find references to the Tenjo-name in Japanese horror games, where the fear of staring at a ceiling in the dark is a common trope utilized to build tension. The creature has evolved from a symbol of household neglect to a quirky icon of the weird and wonderful world of Japanese monsters.
Traveler’s Tips: Where to Find the Spirits
If you are a traveler fascinated by the occult and wish to walk in the footsteps of the Tenjo-name, there are specific destinations in Japan that celebrate this folklore.
1. Mizuki Shigeru Road (Sakaiminato)
Located in Tottori Prefecture, this street is dedicated to the works of Shigeru Mizuki. It is lined with over 170 bronze statues of yokai, including the Tenjo-name. It is a must-visit for any folklore lover.
2. Yokai Street (Kyoto)
Officialy known as Ichijo-dori, this shopping street in Kyoto celebrates the Hyakki Yagyo (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons). The local shopkeepers decorate their storefronts with handmade yokai monsters. While exploring, keep an eye out for ceiling-dwelling creatures in the displays.
3. Traditional Ryokans
While you likely won’t see a real Tenjo-name, staying in an old wooden ryokan (traditional inn) offers the perfect atmosphere. Look for inns in historic post towns like Tsumago or Magome. As you lie on your futon and look up at the cedar beams, you can easily imagine how the flickering candlelight of the Edo period could turn a simple wood grain knot into a watching eye.
Sources & Further Reading
To deepen your understanding of the spiritual world that gave rise to creatures like the Tenjo-name, consider exploring the following texts:
- Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro by Toriyama Sekien: The primary visual source for the Tenjo-name and many other Edo-period yokai.
- The Kojiki and The Nihon Shoki: While these ancient 8th-century chronicles focus on the creation myths and Shinto gods (Kami) rather than later yokai like the Tenjo-name, they are essential for understanding the animistic worldview that allows spirits to inhabit nature and objects.
- Yokai Attack! The Japanese Monster Survival Guide by Hiroko Yoda and Matt Alt: A fantastic English-language resource for modern travelers wanting a deep dive into specific monsters.