Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: Igebo, Oni-bi
Category: Flame
The Myth
Igebo is a mysterious supernatural fire from Japanese folklore, known as a regional name for the oni-bi, or will-o’-the-wisp. It is associated with Watarai District in Mie Prefecture, where the name refers to the strange, ghostly lights that appear in the darkness. Like other will-o’-the-wisps in Japanese tradition, Igebo belongs to the folklore of unexplained flames that seem to emerge from the night.
The name Igebo was recorded by folklorist Kunio Yanagita in his work Yōkai Dangi (Discussions on Yōkai), among a collection of yōkai names. Yanagita noted that he had not heard the name used anywhere else, making its origin difficult to determine. The precise meaning of the name and the particular stories once associated with Igebo therefore remain uncertain.
Sources
“イゲボ (Igebo).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). August 11, 2019. https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1074589206.html