Name Meaning
Yama-oroshi (山颪) is a playful pun in Japanese, meaning both “mountain storm” and “radish grater.”
- Yama (山) = mountain
- Oroshi (颪 / おろし) = wind coming down a mountain or a grater
Origin
- Comes from Japanese pun culture and illustrated yokai scrolls.
- Appears in Edo-period humorous art and yokai encyclopedias.
- Blends wordplay with supernatural folklore.
Appearance
- Typically shown as an animated daikon grater or an old woman with a grater.
- Sometimes paired with wind or daikon imagery.
- Comical rather than frightening in appearance.
Behavior & Myths
- May appear during cold mountain storms—hence the pun.
- Associated with winter and kitchen folklore.
- Known to appear in humorous or satirical yokai scrolls.
Symbolism
- Represents the blending of daily life and supernatural themes.
- Embodies humor and creativity in Japanese folk traditions.
- Symbolic of the cold season and domestic fears.
