Name Meaning
Senpoku-Kanpoku (せんぽくかんぽく) refers to a spiritual creature said to appear at the time of death, taking the form of a frog with a human face.
- Senpoku / Kanpoku = Alleged ritual phrases related to funeral rites or death transitions
Origin
- Rooted in regional Japanese ghost and funeral lore.
- Appears when a person has recently passed, usually in secluded villages or rural graveyards.
Appearance
- A small frog-like creature with a distinctly human face.
- Often depicted as pale or ghostly in tone.
- Sometimes said to wear a ceremonial expression, like that of a priest or mourner.
Behavior & Myths
- Appears silently near the home or grave of the recently deceased.
- Believed to escort or oversee the spirit’s journey to the afterlife.
- May chant strange words or fade before being noticed directly.
Symbolism
- Symbolizes the liminal space between life and death.
- A gentle or neutral guide rather than a malevolent spirit.
- Invokes themes of spiritual transition and peaceful passing.
