“Shirime” showing the curse of the butt eye 9×12 gouache painting
I honestly can’t believe it took me so long to draw or paint him. I did do a rough sketch when I made the Shirime 3d model. But that model is easily my best selling, especially when painted. But instead I did other things that popped into my head. I guess that is just part of the curse of being such an endearingly eclectic (also pronounce eccentric…hehe) person. At any rate, I finally did it. Below you will find Brobots description of the legend of Shirime and then a brobot description of the painting.
Shirime: A Yokai of Humorous Absurdity
Introduction
Shirime (尻目), literally translating to “buttocks-eye,” is among the most bizarre, humorous, and unmistakably provocative entities found within the vast tapestry of Japanese folklore. Unlike many yokai—supernatural beings or spirits in Japanese legend—Shirime does not represent tragedy, horror, or moral teaching. Instead, he embodies absurdity, comedy, and the playful nature of human imagination. His form, typically depicted as a human figure with a large, glaring eye located where one would least expect—between his buttocks—makes Shirime instantly memorable, both shocking and amusing in equal measure.
Origins and Folklore Background
Shirime’s earliest notable mention traces back to the Edo period (1603–1868), a time when urban culture flourished in Japan. Though documented sources specifically naming Shirime are relatively sparse, he’s closely associated with stories popularized by renowned poet and artist Yosa Buson (1716–1784), who occasionally delighted in humorous, irreverent subjects.
Typical Legend of Shirime:
The classic tale involving Shirime unfolds typically at night on a deserted street or isolated path. A traveler, usually alone, would encounter a mysterious figure dressed as an ordinary human. This stranger would initially behave oddly, often calling attention to himself to attract the traveler’s gaze. When successfully gaining their attention, Shirime dramatically bends forward, revealing his unusual anatomical feature—a single, large, glowing eye situated between his buttocks. The startled victim usually flees in shock or confusion, while Shirime neither pursues nor harms; he exists purely for the sake of surprising and unsettling passersby. There’s no malice or violence in Shirime’s nature—he is purely mischievous, whimsical, and absurd.
Symbolic and Cultural Role
Humor and Absurdity:
Shirime represents a subversive strain within yokai culture, reminding us that not all supernatural beings embody dread or moralistic warnings. Instead, Shirime’s purpose is comedic and satirical. He might be interpreted as embodying a mockery of social conventions, propriety, or the human tendency to expect predictability. By appearing where we least anticipate, Shirime forces the observer to confront their expectations and embrace the surreal, absurd, and humorous side of existence.
Social Commentary:
The figure of Shirime might subtly comment on Edo-period societal strictness and formalities. The appearance of Shirime, who confronts unsuspecting victims with scandalous bodily humor, can symbolize the human impulse to rebel against strict societal expectations or taboos through laughter and irreverence. This mirrors the Edo-period’s broader embrace of hedonism, humor, and irreverent social criticism, as seen in genres like Ukiyo-e and Kabuki theatre.
Shirime in Ukiyo-e Art
While Shirime doesn’t dominate traditional Ukiyo-e (woodblock print) artwork as prominently as other yokai—such as Kitsune, Kappa, or Tanuki—he nonetheless fits naturally into the broader Ukiyo-e aesthetic and thematic world, which often combined humor, eroticism, satire, and the absurd.
Visual Representation in Art:
Ukiyo-e, meaning “pictures of the floating world,” frequently featured scenes celebrating pleasure, humor, entertainment, and the grotesque. Shirime, with his humorously obscene form, would be an ideal subject for this tradition. His explicit absurdity aligns well with Ukiyo-e’s stylistic predilection for visual humor, satire, and shock value, capturing the viewer’s eye immediately—much like Shirime himself.
In modern art influenced by the Edo tradition, Shirime occasionally appears as a nostalgic callback or as part of contemporary reinterpretations. Such portrayals are often playful and irreverent, echoing the same humorous intent found in historical Edo-period depictions.
Shirime’s Legacy and Contemporary Revival
Influence on Modern Pop Culture:
Today, Shirime enjoys renewed interest as contemporary creators rediscover traditional yokai through various media, including manga, anime, contemporary paintings, illustrations, and digital media. Shirime’s comically disturbing appearance makes him perfectly suited for internet humor, social media sharing, and whimsical art projects that leverage shock and surprise for comedic or satirical effect.
Representative of Cultural Playfulness:
Shirime illustrates Japan’s longstanding comfort with humor that dances between the profane and the profound, embracing awkwardness, embarrassment, and absurdity as essential to the human experience. In this sense, Shirime occupies a unique place in yokai culture—without sinister intent or moral teaching, he exists simply as a playful reminder of life’s unexpected and humorous nature.
Conclusion
Shirime exemplifies the breadth of yokai culture, demonstrating that these folklore figures are not limited to cautionary tales or frightening hauntings. Instead, yokai such as Shirime broaden our understanding of traditional storytelling and artistic expression, celebrating absurdity and irreverence in a way uniquely Japanese. Whether shocking travelers on a lonely Edo street or delighting modern art viewers with his gleefully absurd form, Shirime continues to offer a cheeky wink—both figuratively and literally—from within Japan’s playful cultural imagination.
This painting depicts a humorous and whimsical scene inspired by traditional Japanese folklore, particularly featuring a yokai known as Shirime. The figure, wearing a loosely fitted robe with shades of blue, pink, and lavender, bends forward playfully while looking back toward the viewer with a mischievous, wide-eyed grin. His head is bald, and he wears wooden sandals (geta) on his feet. The most striking feature of this figure is the large, blue eyeball peering out from between his buttocks, an iconic feature of the Shirime yokai.
The setting is distinctly Japanese, featuring elements commonly associated with traditional gardens. Bamboo stalks stand tall in the foreground, creating a partial barrier between the viewer and the figure. Behind him is a structure with a curved red-tiled roof, adding a classic architectural element. On the right side of the composition stands a cherry blossom tree in full bloom, its vivid pink flowers providing vibrant contrast against the calm blue sky.
The painting uses a combination of watercolor and possibly gouache, resulting in a textured, painterly style. The whimsical, irreverent tone of the artwork aligns perfectly with the subject matter, highlighting folklore and humor with an irrepressible cheekiness. The overall mood is playful, amusingly provocative, and distinctly Japanese in both subject and visual storytelling.