The ''Boroboroton'' ( o̞ɺo̞bo̞ɺo̞to̞ɴ meaning "''

boroboro are a class of Japanese textiles that have been mended or patched together. Etymology The term is derived from the Japanese term , meaning something tattered or repaired. The term typically refers to cotton, linen and hemp materials, mostly ...

'' (tattered) ''

futon A is a traditional Japanese style of bedding. A complete futon set consists of a and a . Both elements of a futon bedding set are pliable enough to be folded and stored away in a large during the day. This allows a room to serve as a bedro ...

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tsukumogami In Japanese folklore, ''tsukumogami'' (付喪神 or つくも神, lit. "tool ''kami''") are tools that have acquired a kami or spirit. According to an annotated version of ''The Tales of Ise'' titled ''Ise Monogatari Shō'', there is a theory o ...

yōkai are a class of supernatural entities and Spirit (supernatural entity) , spirits in Japanese folklore. The kanji representation of the word comprises two characters that both mean "suspicious, doubtful", and while the Japanese name is simply ...

'', and is believed to be evil and dangerous to humans.

Description

The ''Boroboroton'' is described as a tattered futon (a Japanese sleeping mat) who comes to life at night. It rises up into the air and throws its (former) owner out of bed, then begins to twine around the head and neck of the sleeper with the intent of strangling him.Kenji Murakami: 妖怪事典. Mainichi Shinbunsha, Tokyo 2000, , p. 309.Sekien Toriyama, Mamoru Takada, Atsunobu Inada u.a.: 画図百鬼夜行, Kokusho Kankōkai, Tōkyō 1992, , p. 302.Tani Akira: 金森宗和茶書. Shibunkakushuppan, Tokyo 1997, , p. 312.

Background

The ''Boroboroton'' belongs to a specific group of ''yōkai'': the ''Tsukumogami'' (). ''Tsukumogami'' are various ''yōkai'' derived from manmade objects, such as kitchenware, tools and everyday accessories, that have become alive, either through possession by spirits or ghosts, or through constant use for at least 90 to 100 years. ''Tsukumogami'' of this last origin often appear as new, or otherwise pristine condition despite their age.Michaela Haustein: ''Mythologien der Welt: Japan, Ainu, Korea.'' ePubli, Berlin 2011, , p. 25. Boroboroton will come to life when feeling ignored or unneeded. As some kind of revenge (and out of frustration), they float through the rooms of inhabited houses at night and try to strangle any sleeping person they can find. Alternatively, they meet with other ''Tsukumogami'' and throw noisy parties or they leave the house and stroll around in search of other companion beings.

References

{{Japanese folklore long Japanese folklore Yōkai Tsukumogami