Unveiling Bincho: The Spirit of the Water Jar
In the shadowed corners of ancient Japanese storehouses, where dust motes dance in the twilight, silence is not always empty. For travelers and culture enthusiasts exploring Japan, the concept of animism—the belief that all things possess a spirit—is central to understanding the local folklore. Among the myriad of creatures that populate Japanese mythology, there exists a curious class of spirits known as Tsukumogami (tool spirits). One of the most fascinating, yet often overlooked, leaders of this group is Bincho (瓶長), the spirit of the water jar.
While dragons and foxes often steal the spotlight in Japanese folklore, Bincho offers a unique glimpse into the domestic life of the Edo period and the reverence the Japanese people hold for everyday objects. Let’s pour over the history and mystery of this earthenware entity.
Origins: When Tools Come to Life
To understand Bincho, one must first understand the phenomenon of the Tsukumogami. According to Japanese folklore, when a household tool or utensil reaches 100 years of age, it acquires a soul and becomes sentient. This transformation is rooted in the Shinto belief that objects, when used with care (or sometimes neglect), accumulate spiritual energy over time.
The specific character of Bincho first gained prominence in the 18th century through the work of Toriyama Sekien, a scholar and ukiyo-e artist. In his seminal work, Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro (The Illustrated Bag of One Hundred Random Demons), Sekien cataloged these spirits.
The name “Bincho” is derived from two kanji characters: Bin (瓶), meaning a bottle, jar, or vase, and Cho (長), meaning leader, chief, or long. Thus, Bincho is often interpreted as the “Master of the Jar” or the leader of the vessel spirits. He is depicted as a traditional ceramic water jar that has sprouted limbs and a face, often carrying a ladle, symbolizing his function of dispensing water—a vital resource in feudal Japan.
The Legend: Leading the Night Parade
The most famous legend involving Bincho is his role in the Hyakki Yagyo, or the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons. In these legends, on warm summer nights, yokai of all shapes and sizes parade through the streets. Humans foolish enough to witness this procession would often perish or be spirited away, unless protected by spiritual sutras.
Bincho is rarely depicted as malevolent or violent. Instead, he is often shown as a somewhat comical, albeit eerie, figure. In many artistic depictions of the Night Parade, Bincho appears to be celebrating his newfound sentience. He is frequently shown in the company of other household spirits, such as Kasa-obake (the umbrella spirit) and Chochin-obake (the lantern spirit).
There is a subtle cultural commentary in the legend of Bincho. In an era before running water, the water jar was the heart of the kitchen. By personifying the jar as a “chief” or “leader,” folklore elevated the status of this humble object, reminding the household to treat their water vessels with respect. If a jar was discarded thoughtlessly before its 100th year, it might return as a vengeful spirit; but if treated well, Bincho would simply join the parade, enjoying his afterlife.
Modern Culture: From Scrolls to Screens
While Bincho may not be as globally famous as Godzilla or Pikachu, his influence permeates modern Japanese pop culture. The concept of sentient objects is a staple in anime and manga.
- Manga and Anime: In series like GeGeGe no Kitaro by Shigeru Mizuki, which revived interest in yokai in the 20th century, Bincho and his fellow Tsukumogami make appearances as part of the diverse ecosystem of spirits.
- Video Games: In franchises like Yo-kai Watch and Shin Megami Tensei, variations of jar and pot spirits appear, paying homage to the classic design of Bincho—ceramic bodies with goofy or spooky faces.
- Mascots: The idea of eyes and mouths on inanimate objects is the foundation of Japan’s yuru-chara (mascot) culture. Bincho is the spiritual ancestor of every walking, talking regional mascot representing local produce or crafts.
Traveler’s Tips: Where to Find the Spirit of Bincho
If you are traveling to Japan and wish to seek out the legacy of Bincho and his yokai kin, here are the best places to visit:
- Yokai Street (Ichijo-dori), Kyoto: This shopping street is dedicated to the legends of the Night Parade. Local shopkeepers display homemade yokai statues outside their stores. You can often find depictions of Tsukumogami here, including jar spirits.
- The International Manga Museum, Kyoto: Located near the Imperial Palace, this museum houses archives of Shigeru Mizuki’s work and historical scrolls where you can see the evolution of yokai art.
- Taishogun Shopping Street Festivals: Keep an eye out for the Hyakki Yagyo costume parades held periodically in Kyoto, where locals dress up as Tsukumogami. It is a fantastic photo opportunity.
- Miyoshi Mononoke Museum, Hiroshima: A museum entirely dedicated to the collection of Yumoto Koichi, featuring thousands of yokai-related artifacts, scrolls, and pottery.
Sources & Further Reading
For those wishing to delve deeper into the animistic roots of Japanese culture and the specific history of tool spirits, the following texts are essential:
- Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro (1781) by Toriyama Sekien – The primary visual source for Bincho.
- Tsukumogami Emaki (Muromachi Period Picture Scrolls) – Tales describing the origins of tool spirits.
- Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) and Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan) – While these ancient texts focus on major deities (Kami), they establish the fundamental Shinto worldview that allows for spirits like Bincho to exist.
- The Book of Yokai: Mysterious Creatures of Japanese Folklore by Michael Dylan Foster.