Azukibabaa (あずきばばあ, the bean hag) is a monster from Miyagi Prefecture to the Kanto region. This is an old woman yōkai that makes the sound of azuki, just like Azukiarai. There is a theory that, instead of a different type of red bean-washing monster, the true nature of red bean washing is called "Azuma-gama" in some areas.[1]
It is said that at the abandoned temple in Shimo-Kosaka-mura, it made a sound of red beans when it was raining in the evening. In this region, parents said to their children who did not keep up with their parents, saying: "I will be attacked by the old woman bean smasher".[2]
Appears in a stream near Takasaki Castle. At night, they make the sound of red beans while singing, "Would you like to wash or eat the red beans?" And swallow those who pass nearby into the bright light. In order to avoid this strangeness, it is better to calm yourself by holding your thumb.[1]
In Showa-mura, Tone-gun, they make the sound of stirring azuki beans in a pot in a swamp, and sing like "Azuki Togo or Catch and Eat" as well as Azuki Togi. It is said to be Mujina or Itachi.[3]
It is said that a red bean woman appeared man well woman well in Ome City, TokyoTokyo
On the moonlight of autumn, a small voice can be heard from the brook saying, "One red bean, two red bean sasa namu...", and at dawn, the old woman in a white outfit and holding a basket disappears into the mist.[clarification needed][4]
Azuki-baba is also said to have appeared at Otoido and Onnaido in Ome city, where the legend of Kobo Daishi remains.
She is also known as Azuki-sogi-baba. She lives on a large Amando tree near Suwa Shrine, and calls out to people who pass by at night, saying, "Azuki-o-annasutte (meaning, eat some azuki beans)," and if the person is surprised and confused, she will scoop them up into the tree with a large basket.[1][2] Yōkai researcher Kenji Murakami believes she is related to the Tsurube-otoshi yōkai, that is also said to scoop people up from the top of trees.
A yōkai similar to the Azuki-arai yokai. It is called the Azuki-arai Old Woman and appears in the form of an old woman in a stream at dusk. It is said that its true form is a kitsune.[2]
