Kakuremino: The Magical Cloak of Japanese Folklore

Long before Harry Potter donned his Invisibility Cloak, Japanese folklore was already spinning tales of a magical garment that could render its wearer completely unseen. Known as the Kakuremino (隠れ蓑), or “Straw Raincoat of Hiding,” this legendary item is a staple of Japan’s mythological landscape. From mischievous pranks involving goblins to its presence in sacred treasure collections, the Kakuremino represents the universal human desire to move through the world unobserved.

The Origins: More Than Just Straw

To understand the Kakuremino, one must first understand the mino. Historically, a mino was a traditional Japanese raincoat made from layers of straw or hemp. Used by farmers and travelers to repel heavy rain and snow, it was a ubiquitous symbol of rural life and hardship.

In the realm of mythology, however, the object transcends its humble origins. The Kakuremino is often grouped with the Takara-mono (Treasures), a collection of magical items associated with the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin), particularly Daikokuten and Ebisu. While western invisibility devices are often depicted as silky, flowing capes, the Japanese version is distinctly rustic. This contrast highlights a common theme in Japanese folklore: magic is often hidden within the mundane objects of daily life.

The Legend of the Tengu and the Gambler

The most famous stories involving the Kakuremino do not feature gods, but rather Tengu—the long-nosed, red-faced mountain goblins known for their martial arts prowess and magical fans.

In a classic folktale, a clever (and often lazy) man—sometimes named Hikoichi or simply a nameless gambler—wanders into the mountains and encounters a Tengu. The Tengu boasts of his magical treasures: a Kakuremino (invisibility cloak) and a Kakuregasa (invisibility hat).

The protagonist, desiring these items for his own selfish gain, tricks the Tengu. He might pretend to have a magical object of his own, such as a hollow bamboo stalk that he claims allows him to see faraway cities. Intrigued, the gullible Tengu trades his invisibility gear for the worthless bamboo.

Once the man dons the straw raincoat, he vanishes. He returns to his village to cause mischief, stealing sake and food from shops without being caught. However, these stories often end with a moralistic or comedic twist. In many versions, the wife of the protagonist, unaware of the coat’s magic, burns the dirty old straw gear. The man, finding only the ashes, rubs the ash over his body to regain invisibility, only to be foiled when part of the ash is washed away or when he laughs, revealing his mouth.

Modern Culture and Language

The concept of the Kakuremino has permeated modern Japanese culture in ways that go beyond old fairy tales.

Botanical Connections

Travelers to Japan might hear the word “Kakuremino” used to describe a plant. Dendropanax trifidus is an evergreen tree native to Japan. It is named Kakuremino because the shape of its leaves, particularly on younger trees, deeply splits into three lobes, resembling the silhouette of the traditional straw raincoat. It is a popular garden tree, known for its glossy, deep green foliage.

Metaphorical Usage

In the Japanese language, the term has evolved into a metaphor. To use something as a “Kakuremino” means to use a facade to hide one’s true nature or bad intentions. For example, a criminal organization might use a legitimate business as a Kakuremino (front) for their illegal operations. It implies hiding in plain sight, much like the wearer of the mythical coat.

Pop Culture

The item appears frequently in manga and anime. Fans of Doraemon will recognize similar gadgets produced by the robotic cat to help Nobita. In video games like Nioh or Sekiro, items that grant stealth are often spiritually linked to this folklore.

Traveler’s Tips: Seeking the Invisible

While you cannot buy a working magic coat, you can still immerse yourself in the lore of the Kakuremino during your trip to Japan.

• Mt. Takao (Tokyo) & Mt. Kurama (Kyoto): These mountains are legendary homes of the Tengu. You will find statues, temples, and souvenir shops dedicated to these goblins. While hiking, keep an eye out for the mythological atmosphere where a trade for a cloak might have happened.
• Shirakawa-go: To see what a real mino looks like, visit the historic villages of Shirakawa-go or various folk museums (Minka-en) across Japan. They often display traditional straw raincoats, allowing you to visualize the “cloak” of the legend.
• Botanical Gardens: Look for the Dendropanax trifidus tree in traditional Japanese gardens, often identified by placards. It’s a fun linguistic connection to spot in the wild.

Sources & Further Reading

For those interested in diving deeper into the mythological context of magical objects in Japan, the following texts and collections are essential:

• Japanese Tales (translated by Royall Tyler) – A collection of medieval stories, many of which feature tricksters and magical items.
• The Yanagita Kunio Guide to the Japanese Folk Tale – Offers structural analysis of tales involving magical straw raincoats.
• Nihon Shoki and Kojiki – While these ancient texts focus on creation myths, they establish the pantheon of gods and the concept of divine treasures (Takara) that influence later folklore.

The Kakuremino reminds us that in Japan, magic isn’t just for sorcerers; it’s woven into the straw of a farmer’s coat, hiding just beneath the surface of the everyday world.