Name Meaning
Overview
\n
Tōfu-kozō (豆腐小僧) means "Tofu Boy" or "Little Tofu Child," referencing the tray of tofu the yokai carries.
- Tōfu (豆腐) = Tofu
- Kozō (小僧) = Young boy or child servant
Origin
- Originates from Edo-period artwork and stories.
- Frequently appears in haunted house tales or alongside more powerful yokai.
- May have been used to scare children into obedience.
Appearance
- Depicted as a small, bald-headed child in traditional clothing.
- Always carries a tray with tofu, sometimes with mold growing on it.
- Usually harmless in demeanor.
Behavior & Myths
- Stands silently offering tofu to passersby.
- Often considered a minor yokai used for comedic or eerie effect.
- Some stories say accepting his tofu brings illness.
Symbolism
- Represents innocence with a subtle undertone of unease.
- Embodies how mundane objects can become eerie in the right context.
- Sometimes linked to other yokai like nurarihyon or umbrella spirits.
