Suzuhiko-hime: The Chime of the Bell Princess Yokai
If you have ever visited a Shinto shrine in Japan, you have likely heard the distinct, cleansing sound of the suzu—a round, hollow bell containing pellets that rattle when shaken. It is a sound meant to call the gods and purify the soul. But in the rich tapestry of Japanese folklore, even these sacred instruments can take on a life of their own. Enter Suzuhiko-hime, the “Bell Princess,” a yokai who embodies the playful and spiritual resonance of the Shinto bell.
While not as terrifying as the oni or as mischievous as the tanuki, Suzuhiko-hime offers a fascinating glimpse into how Japanese culture personifies inanimate objects through the concept of Tsukumogami. For travelers and culture enthusiasts, understanding her story adds a layer of depth to every chime heard during a shrine visit.
The Origins of the Bell Princess
Suzuhiko-hime (鈴彦姫) was first cataloged in the Edo period by the master yokai artist Toriyama Sekien. She appears in his 1784 work, The Illustrated Bag of One Hundred Random Demons (Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro).
During the Edo period, ghost stories and supernatural encyclopedias were incredibly popular. Sekien created many of his creatures based on puns, satire, or existing folklore. Suzuhiko-hime belongs to a class of yokai known as Tsukumogami. In Japanese folklore, it is believed that tools and household objects that reach 100 years of age gain a soul and become sentient. While many Tsukumogami are depicted as ragged or vengeful (like broken umbrellas or old sandals), Suzuhiko-hime retains a divine elegance, reflecting the sacred nature of the object from which she was born.
The Legend and Appearance
Unlike the frightening monsters that lurk in shadows, Suzuhiko-hime is depicted relatively harmlessly. Sekien drew her as a woman dressed in the layered robes of a Heian-period courtier or a shrine maiden. However, instead of a human face, her head is a large suzu bell, often adorned with the colorful ribbons typically found on shrine rattles.
The Connection to Ame-no-Uzume
The lore surrounding Suzuhiko-hime is deeply intertwined with one of the most famous myths in Shinto history: the story of the sun goddess, Amaterasu.
According to the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters), Amaterasu once hid inside a cave, plunging the world into darkness. To lure her out, the goddess of mirth and dawn, Ame-no-Uzume, performed a boisterous and comical dance outside the cave. She used bells attached to a spear or wand to create a rhythmic noise that delighted the other gods.
Suzuhiko-hime is often interpreted as the manifestation of the bells used by Ame-no-Uzume during that legendary performance. As such, she is not a malicious spirit but rather a memory of divine joy and the power of sound to drive away darkness. She is said to wander at night, the jingling of her bell-head echoing the ancient rituals of the gods.
Modern Culture and Symbolism
While Suzuhiko-hime is not a household name like Godzilla or Pikachu, she occupies a special niche in modern Japanese pop culture, particularly in media involving yokai.
- Anime and Games: She appears in franchises like Yokai Watch and Shin Megami Tensei, usually depicted as a support character who uses sound to buff allies or purify status ailments. This aligns with the purifying nature of the suzu bell in real life.
- The Sound of Purification: Culturally, the sound she represents is still vital. The suzu is used in Kagura dances (Shinto theatrical dance) to cleanse the area of evil spirits. When you see Suzuhiko-hime in art, she represents the enduring idea that tools used for worship possess a spirit of their own.
Traveler’s Tips: Hearing the Sound of Suzuhiko-hime
You cannot book a tour to see a real yokai, but you can experience the atmosphere that created the legend of Suzuhiko-hime. Here is how to immerse yourself in the culture of the bell while traveling in Japan:
1. Watch a Kagura Performance
To understand the movement and sound of Suzuhiko-hime, visit a shrine that hosts Kagura performances. Notable locations include the Takachiho Shrine in Miyazaki Prefecture, where the legend of Amaterasu is said to have taken place. Here, dancers use the kagura-suzu (a handheld tree of bells) to reenact the myth.
2. Purchase an Omamori or Suzu
Most shrines sell small ceramic or metal bells as charms (omamori). Attached to phone straps or bags, they serve the same purpose as the ancient bells: to ward off bad luck with their clear, high-pitched chime. It is a perfect souvenir that carries the essence of the Bell Princess.
3. Visit the Yokai Street in Kyoto
Kyoto’s Ichijo-dori is known as the “Yokai Street.” It is said to be the path of the Hyakki Yagyo (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons). Local shops often display homemade yokai statues, and you may spot artistic renditions of Tsukumogami, including our bell-headed friend.
Sources & Further Reading
For those interested in diving deeper into the history of Japanese folklore and the texts mentioned in this article, the following sources are highly recommended:
- Toriyama Sekien’s Japandemonium Illustrated: The definitive translation of Sekien’s four yokai encyclopedias, including the Gazu Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro.
- The Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters): The oldest extant chronicle in Japan, detailing the myths of Amaterasu and Ame-no-Uzume.
- The Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): The second-oldest book of classical Japanese history, providing parallel accounts of the Shinto myths.