Gashadokuro

File:Mitsukuni defying the skeleton spectre invoked by princess Takiyasha.jpg

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, "Souma no furudairi (相馬の古内裏)" also known as "Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre".

Gashadokuro (がしゃどくろ, literally "starving skeleton," also known as Odokuro) are mythical creatures in Japanese mythology.

Mythology

The Gashadokuro are giant skeletons that are fifteen times taller than an average person, said to be created from the amassed bones of people who died of starvation. These Yōkai roam after midnight, grabbing lone travelers and biting off their heads to drink their spraying blood. There is a tell sign as the victim would hear the sound of loud ringing in the ear. The Gashadokuro are said to possess the powers of invisibility and indestructibility; though Shinto charms are said to ward them off.

In popular culture

• In the Super Sentai series Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, Gasha Dokuro is one of the main villains who is described as cold, calm, ruthless and calculating. He appears in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers, and Power Rangers Zeo as "Rito Revolto". A Gashadokuro appears as a giant monster of the day in the 3rd episode of the new series Shuriken Sentai Ninninger.

• In Youkai Watch there is a youkai called Gashadokuro but it is a reference to gashapons, which are toys from Japan you try to get from coin machines like gumballs.

• In one of the DLC episodes of the PlayStation Vita re-release Muramasa: The Demon Blade, one of the final bosses is a Gashadokuro.

• The Gashadokuro (usually referred to as "Giant Skeleton") is portrayed in varying roles of significance throughout the Castlevania series.

• In Hellboy: Sword of Storms, a Gashadokuro rises from the ground of a cemetery and rakes the ground to unleash many undead monsters on Hellboy.

• In Goemon's Great Adventure, a Gashadokuro is encountered in an early level while on a bridge.

• In the Studio Ghibli movie Pom Poko, the monster parade scene features a Gashadokuro.

• In AdventureQuest Worlds, the Gashadokuro is featured as the forbidden Beast of Chaos called the O-Dokuro. Kitsune uses the Hanzamune Blade to free it from a time rift.

• In Okamiden, there is a demon known as a Gashadokuro which resembles a humongous human skeleton with a fiery core and twin blades embedded in its stomach. There is also an armoured version which is much more powerful.

• In the manga/anime series, Inu x Boku SS, Roromiya Karuta is a Gashadokuro.

See also

• Noppera-bō
• Rokurokubi
• Kuchisake-onna