Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: –
Category: Flame
The Myth
Osabi is a mysterious supernatural fire said to appear on rainy nights at Sankakuike Pond in the Nobeoka region of Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. The phenomenon is described as two separate flames that emerge near the water and appear to struggle or fight with one another. Sightings were reportedly known in the area until around the middle of the Meiji era.
According to local legend, the strange lights originated from a quarrel between two women over the lending and borrowing of an osa, a comb-like tool used to straighten the folds of woven cloth. During their argument, one of the women fell into the pond and drowned. The two fires are believed to represent the women, continuing their conflict even after death.
The name Osabi was recorded by folklorist Kunio Yanagita in Yokai Meii, included in Yokai Dangi, drawing on the account Nobeoka Zatsudan. Yanagita also mentioned a similar mysterious fire from Nagoya known as Kantarōbi.
Sources
“Osabi.” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1077434909.html