Korōka

Overview

Korōka is illustrated as a monstrous figure leaning from the top of a tall stone lantern. The body has long curved claws, large eyes and a trailing beard. Curved lines around its head suggest flame or animated movement. Branches partially frame the face, while the lantern’s carved base and shaft anchor the apparition to a substantial outdoor object.

The exact label 古籠火 ties this figure to an old lantern. Unlike an unattached ball of supernatural fire, this plate presents an articulated body with a face and limbs, making the entry relevant to creature imagery as well as animated objects. The visible stone structure and emerging being are directly documented. Claims about a local encounter, a historical victim or a specific magical attack require other witnesses and are not inferred here.

Origins & earliest records

Toriyama Sekien, Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro, first published 1784; volume 1 named plate directly inspected in the Smithsonian digitization. The final colophon states Tenmei 4 (1784) and a Bunka 2 (1805) reprint.

Records & interpretation

Printed label 古籠火 and composition directly checked against the enlarged plate. This is an illustrated object apparition; an independent local oral tradition is not assumed.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro

   Toriyama Sekien · 1784

   Volume 1; IIIF canvas index 21 (zero-based); HyakkitsurezureV1Tori_0022.jp2. This selected digitized copy includes later reprint information.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Primary records and illustrations

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Institutional primary-book recordHyakki Tsurezure Bukuro — Smithsonian Libraries volume 1Research access: 2026-10-05
2. Primary illustrated plate / institutional digitizationKorōka (古籠火) — exact inspected illustrationResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

Korōka, named plate by Toriyama Sekien

Printed label 古籠火 directly inspected with the enlarged composition. A clawed, bearded apparition leans from the top of a stone lantern in Sekien’s Korōka plate. Exact URL copied from the returned manifest.