Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: 震々, ぶるぶる, Zozogami
Category: Ghost
The Myth
Buruburu is a mysterious yokai known as the spirit of cowardice. It follows people through inhabited areas, causing them to shudder with fear. Although it may not appear as a clearly visible creature, its presence is felt through sudden chills, trembling bodies, and the sensation of fear running down the spine.
Buruburu is born when a person commits an act of cowardice, such as fleeing from battle. The spirit then attaches itself to other people, possessing them by clinging to the collars of their shirts and touching the backs of their necks. Its supernatural touch makes their hair stand on end and sends shivers throughout their bodies.
The name Buruburu imitates the sound of trembling, while its alternate name, Zozogami, is also associated with the sensation of shivering with fear. The spirit embodies the physical feeling of terror itself, haunting people through the sudden, uncontrollable shudders that reveal its presence.
Sources
“Buruburu.” Yokai.com: The Database of Japanese Folklore. https://yokai.com/buruburu/