Gashadokuro

Gashadokuro (がしゃどくろ, literally "rattling skeleton", also known as Odokuro) are mythical creatures in modern Japanese mythology.

The Gashadokuro are said to possess the powers of invisibility and indestructibility since it is composed of the bones of people who are already deceased, though Shinto charms are said to ward them off.

During that century in Japan, Taira no Masakado, a prominent samurai from the Kantō region, was ambushed one day by three of his cousins due to quarrelling over marriages.

Upon losing the duel, Yoshimasa, embarrassed by his defeat, called upon Taira no Yoshikane, another one of Masakado's relatives who fought over the same woman.

On the day of their battle, Masakado, despite only having around 100 poorly-equipped soldiers, was able to inflict heavy casualties on Yoshikane and Yoshimasa’s forces, which was estimated to be thousands strong.

Taira no Sadamori, his cousin, and Fujiwara no Hidesato killed him in 940, decapitating him and brought his head to the capital in Kyoto for a reward.

In 1966, it first appeared in an article by Morihiro Saito (unnamed) published in the magazine "Bessatsu Shoujyo Friend" , titled "A Special Feature on Japanese Yokai Beside You".

Kuniyoshi's print was commissioned in the Edo period by Santō Kyōden for a yomihon, depicting a scene in which Taira no Masakado's daughter, Takiyasha-hime, summons a skeleton yōkai to attack the samurai Ooya Tarou Mitsukuni.

[citation needed] In the entry for Gashadokuro in Mizuki's book, a related tale from the Nihon Ryōiki is introduced.