Oni-no-pantsu

I promised a separate entry on Oni and their underpants...so here it is.

Now, my "about" page has a great illustration from a Japanese "Hell Scroll" but not only do I have more, I have context!

Let's start with Asura. These are precursors to Oni in a Great great grandfather sort of way. They come from historical Hinduism and were/are the sort of anti-heros to many Hindu stories. Yes, they made big trouble for moose and squirrel, but were often seen in collaboration with the gods when things needed doing.

This a pretty big statue of an Asura. Note the curving outward fangs, sword held high and the unibrow. Note also the waist wrappings as this will become an important idea in the "not your granddads underwear" context.

Depending on where you go in India (especially the type of temple) your more likely to find an Asura somewhere on the walls that is dressed like this. It's a sort of boxer-brief...at least in the illustration.

Now, the guy on the far right in the tiger skin loincloth is Shiva, just behind him in the red circle is a Gana or a Bhuta. Note the leopard skin loincloth but also the obviously Greek influence of the 'Pan' face and flute. Ghanas and Bhutas are types of Asura but unfortunately, I don't know the difference.

ENTER BUDDHISM! The ganas/bhutas and asuras are transformed into "wrathful deities."

This iconography remains a constant as Buddhism moves through India, China and finally Japan. Note: our dressed up or down Asuras have become sort of composite sketches of their former selves. Neither dressing in too much wealth or too much poverty but a mix of wild animal loincloths and jeweled ornaments. NOTE: if you're interested there are plenty of sites you can go to to further explore Buddhist iconography. The interesting thing for me is that each thangka is not just a pretty picture but every element of the illustration has a specific meaning. From the colors, to the placement of figures, down to each specific piece of jewelry; each thing means something...ironic, considering that many Buddhist teachings believe that nothingness is the essence of the Dharma...hahaha...

Anyway...now that we've got the history sorted out let's get to Japan!

Here's a statue of your standard Oni. They come in many different colors. Normally Blue or Red. They are the jailers of the Japanese version of the Buddhist version of the Hindu underworld. Note: Unibrow, fangs, and weapon (the standard variety come with large wooden clubs that have spikes on the end) but the most outstanding element is of course, the tigerskin loincloth!

As shown on my "about" page, this is not always the case. In one hell, it seems as if each Oni has a different type of underwear.

There's...a grass skirt (that's probably a hat tip to the Ainu) fundoshi and tiger skin combo, the classic red fundoshi (normally for funerals) , the basic white fundoshi and one at the top even has a haori (a short jacket...which, I have to admit, go really well with a fundoshi)

In China, there are these 2 special Oni called...if I recall correctly; Horse head and Ox face. Their images transferred to Japan as well. If you ask the Chinese, they'll say they were 2 courtiers who killed themselves, but Horse head and Ox face have a presence in Tibetan Buddhism and continental Hinduism as well so...you know...whatever, I think they look great in fundoshi.

Lastly, I'll present this gorgeous painting of a blue Oni, in fundoshi/tiger skin combo underwear.

On a scale of fairy to dragon; dragon being the most super awesome...

I give Oni a RATING of 7.5. They are very cool.

Apparently, "Yokai House" thinks so too as they've made an entire "Oni Line" of underwear.