Folklore being
Tofu-Kozo
A small-boy yokai carrying a tray of tofu, frequently depicted in late 18th-century kibyoshi popular books.
Overview
Tofu-Kozo is a yokai depicted as a small boy carrying a tray bearing a block of tofu. He appears recurrently in kibyoshi popular books published from the Anei era (1772-1781) onward.
Context of Appearance
He is said to appear at night, on streets and at crossroads, offering the tofu to passersby. As a creation of Edo-period print culture rather than oral folklore, he is recorded almost exclusively in published illustrations, toy prints, and karuta cards.
Referenced Traditions
The earliest known source is Koikawa Harumachi's Yokai Shiuchi Hyobanki (rakushikomi by Uroko-kataya Magobei, Anei 8 / 1779), available through NDL Digital Collections (pid/10301827). Kitao Masayoshi's Yokai Chakuto-cho, 2 volumes (Tsuruya Kihei, Tenmei 8 / 1788, NDL pid/8929732) also includes the figure.
Sources
夭怪着到牒 2巻
Primary source北尾政美 画
北尾政美画、鶴屋喜兵衛仙鶴堂刊、天明8年1788年刊。黄表紙。豆腐小僧の図像を収録
https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/8929732妖怪仕内評判記
Primary source恋川春町 作・画
恋川春町作・画、鱗形屋孫兵衛刊、安永8年1779年刊。黄表紙。豆腐小僧の確認できる最古の出典資料
https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/10301827Wikipedia 日本語版 — 豆腐小僧
Secondary sourceWikipedia contributors
豆腐を持つ子供の姿の妖怪。安永年間（1772-1781）の草双紙から確認できる創作上の妖怪
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%B1%86%E8%85%90%E5%B0%8F%E5%83%A7
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