Tofu-kozo (豆腐小僧)

About this Yōkai

Tofu-kozo (豆腐小僧) is a whimsical yōkai depicted as a small boy carrying a tray of tofu. The character appeared mainly in illustrated books, prints, and popular literature of the late Edo period rather than in older folk legends. He typically wears a straw hat and holds a square piece of tofu, often decorated with a maple-leaf design that reflects fashionable tofu products of the time. Unlike many other yōkai, Tofu-kozo is not particularly threatening and rarely causes serious trouble.

Instead he often appears as a timid, slightly foolish figure who follows people on rainy nights. Scholars generally believe he originated as a playful invention of urban popular culture.

Artist’s Note

I find it so humorous that Tofu-kozo simply carries tofu and possesses no particular powers as a yōkai and is not very good at frightening people. I wanted to express his gentle, somewhat naïve personality, so I rendered him with an innocent and soft presence.