YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore – ZASHIKI WARASHI - Time and Tide | NHK WORLD-JAPAN On Demand

In Japan, strange phenomena are said to be the work of creatures known as yokai. Their legends continue to be told in regions all over the country, and relate diverse local histories. One is the Zashiki Warashi, who brings good fortune to households, but signals decline when it leaves. Its tale conveys the harsh environment endured by the people of Tohoku, and the bonds of family that endured them. In this episode, yokai researcher Michael Dylan Foster explores the legend of the Zashiki Warashi.