Folklore being
Amefuri-Kozo
A boy-figured yokai depicted by Toriyama Sekien in Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki (1779), said to attend the rain deity.
Overview
Amefuri-Kozo is a yokai depicted by Toriyama Sekien in Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki (Middle Volume, 1779). The figure is drawn as a boy carrying a hat-like object resembling a paper lantern as a stand-in for an umbrella.
Context of Appearance
The figure is said to appear together with rain. Sekien's caption reads, "The rain deity is called Ushi (rain-master); the so-called ame-furi-kozo is perhaps a page-boy who serves him." The figure also appears in contemporary kibyoshi popular books, where he is paired with rain and childlike playfulness.
Referenced Traditions
The canonical image is Toriyama Sekien's Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki (Middle Volume), Anei 8 (1779), accessible through the Kagawa University Digital Archive. The figure recurs in Edo-period kibyoshi from the late 18th century.
Sources
今昔画図続百鬼 巻之中 雨
Primary source鳥山石燕
雨のかみを雨師（うし）といふ 雨ふり小僧といへるものは めしつかはるる侍童（じどう）にや
https://digarc.kagawa-u.ac.jp/item/2111123662Wikipedia 日本語版 — 雨降小僧
Secondary sourceWikipedia contributors
江戸時代の鳥山石燕の妖怪画集今昔画図続百鬼に妖怪画があり、同時代の黄表紙などにも見られる
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9B%A8%E9%99%8D%E5%B0%8F%E5%83%A7
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