Japanese · No. 052

Zashiki-warashi of the Old House

Real myth

Zashiki-warashi of the Old House
As long as she plays in the house, the family prospers.
Rarity
Common
Category
Monster
ATK
800
DEF
1200
Level
3
Type
Spirit
Element
Light
Constellations
Sun · Fox

The myth

The zashiki-warashi, "parlor child", is a household spirit of northeastern Japanese tradition, above all Iwate. It appears as a small child, red-cheeked, with short or straight-cut hair, playing through the rooms of old houses and making small mischief, such as footprints in the dust or noises at night. While it lives in the house the family prospers; when it leaves, fortune leaves too. Accounts of this spirit were recorded in 1910 by Yanagita Kunio in the Tōno Monogatari, the founding work of Japanese folklore studies.

Why it has this power

A Common level-3 Light Spirit with 800 ATK and 1200 DEF: a blessing, not a weapon, so defense exceeds attack. Light and Sun are the prosperity it brings the house; Fox, its playful way. With the Obon Lantern Festival or the Red Torii Shrine by Moonlight, it grows stronger alongside the other spirits.

Did you know

Some traditional inns in Iwate became famous for supposedly hosting a zashiki-warashi, and guests leave toys in the room as gifts.

Connections

  • In Aiko, Dojo Apprentice's deck
  • In Hanae, Wandering Miko's deck
  • In Renji, Ronin of the Snowy Roads's deck
  • In Kaguya, Guardian of the Torii's deck

Where to get it

  • Campaign drop: Hanae, Wandering Miko (Archipelago of the Kami) — grade D: 13%
  • Daily Offering: 0% per pack (Common 64% per card)
  • Welcome Pack: 0.97% per pack (Common 70% per card)
  • Traveler's Pack: 0.88% per pack · 5.2% in the themed pack (Common 64% per card)
  • Bronze Reliquary: 0.86% per pack · 5.1% in the themed pack (Common 62% per card)
  • Silver Reliquary: 0.67% per pack · 4% in the themed pack (Common 49% per card)
  • Golden Reliquary: 0.46% per pack · 2.7% in the themed pack (Common 33% per card)
  • Daily Showcase: Shows up on about 0.69% of days · 150 gold
  • Craft with card dust: 40 dust
  • Crossing of Myths: Can be offered as a reward during a crossing (the card stays in the crossing deck).

Sources

  1. Kaii・Yōkai Denshō Database (folklore of strange phenomena and yōkai) — International Research Center for Japanese Studies (Nichibunken)
  2. Yashikigami — Encyclopedia of Shinto — Kokugakuin University