Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: Ghost Rabbits, Spirit Rabbits of the Coloured Balls
Category: Rabbit
The Myth
Two mysterious balls, one purple and one red, each contain the spirit of a rabbit. A Japanese girl named Fumiko discovers the balls, but their conditions soon begin to change: the red ball grows larger while the purple one gradually fades away. One night, the rabbit spirit inside the purple ball speaks to Fumiko, revealing that it originally lived in the mountains of Okuyama. The red ball contains the spirit of its sister, and both rabbits were swept away by a flood.
The two rabbits had once been pets belonging to a famous rabbit, but the sister received many more favours and much more attention than her brother. As a result, her spirit grew stronger while his gradually weakened, causing the purple ball to disappear. The brother explains his predicament to Fumiko, who realizes that the two balls must be placed together so the sister can share her energy with him.
When the balls are brought together, the red ball shrinks while the purple ball grows larger. Eventually, Fumiko places both balls inside a well, allowing the two rabbit spirits to remain together for a very long time. Their story reflects the bond between siblings and the importance of sharing strength with those who have been neglected.
Sources
“Usagi-tamashii.” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1084281707.html