Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: 古空穂, ふるうつぼ, Old Quiver
Category: Object
The Myth
Furuutsubo, meaning “old quiver,” is a Japanese object yokai formed from the beloved quivers of archers who suffered particularly tragic deaths. Like other weapons and pieces of armour belonging to fallen warriors, these quivers can develop a life force from the lingering energy of their former owners. They eventually begin moving by themselves, transforming objects associated with warfare into supernatural beings.
The most famous Furuutsubo belonged to Miura Yoshiaki, a military commander who lived at the end of the Heian period. A brave warrior skilled with both sword and bow, Yoshiaki fought for the Minamoto clan during the Genpei War. When an enemy army besieged his castle, he arranged for his household to escape safely. After the last survivors had fled, he remained behind alone to defend the stronghold against the invading forces, sacrificing his life in the process.
Following Yoshiaki’s heroic death, his favourite quiver was overcome with grief at the loss of its master. The lingering attachment between warrior and weapon gave the quiver a life of its own, transforming it into a Furuutsubo. The yokai embodies the emotional bond between a warrior and his treasured equipment, suggesting that even an inanimate object may retain something of its owner’s spirit and memories after death.
Sources
“Furuutsubo.” Yokai.com. https://yokai.com/furuutsubo/