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Updated: May 10, 2025
The little insect which makes that weird ticking noise at night called in England the Death-watch has a Japanese relative named by the people Bimbomushi, or the 'Poverty-Insect. It is said to be the servant of Bimbogami, the God of Poverty; and its ticking in a house is believed to signal the presence of that most unwelcome deity.
A new 'fire-blow-tube' is then made; and the old one is used as a charm against Bimbogami. This I know not why is deemed equivalent to pitching Bimbogami out of doors, and rendering it impossible for him to return during a considerable period. It may be asked how is the invisible presence of Bimbogami to be detected.
'Because the last, I venture to interrupt, 'is only the shadow of the first. Fuku-no-Kami is the Shadow-caster, and Bimbogami the Shadow; and I have observed, in wandering about this world, that wherever the one goeth, eternally followeth after him the other.
Akira refuses his assent to this interpretation, and resumes: 'When Bimbogami once begins to follow anyone it is extremely difficult to be free from him again. In the village of Umitsu, which is in the province of Omi, and not far from Kyoto, there once lived a Buddhist priest who during many years was grievously tormented by Bimbogami.
'It is written, replies Akira, 'in the book called Jizo-Kyo-Kosui that the aged Enjobo, a priest dwelling in the province of Owari, was able to get rid of Bimbogami by means of a charm.
But in Izumo people know a certain household charm whereby Bimbogami may sometimes be cast out. Before any cooking is done in a Japanese kitchen, the little charcoal fire is first blown to a bright red heat with that most useful and simple household utensil called a hifukidake.
When the weather was clear it would sleep contentedly in its, cage. But when there was thunder in the air, it would become excited, and seem to obtain great strength, and its eyes would flash dazzlingly. There is one very evil spirit, however, who is not in the least afraid of dried peas, and who cannot be so easily got rid of as the common devils; and that is Bimbogami.
'With the God of Hindrances and Obstacles, O Akira I have had more than a passing acquaintance. Tell me of the others. 'I know little about any of them, answers Akira, 'excepting Bimbogami. It is said there are two gods who always go together, Fuku-no-Kami, who is the God of Luck, and Bimbogami, who is the God of Poverty. The first is white, and the second is black.
The boy said to him, "I have been waiting for you" and the boy was Bimbogami. 'There was another priest who for sixty years had tried in vain to get rid of Bimbogami, and who resolved at last to go to a distant province. And the boy answered, "I am going to travel with you. I am Bimbogami." 'Then is there no way, Akira, by which Bimbogami may be driven away?
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