The Red Basin

The "Shu no Bon" (red tray) is a legendary creature from Japanese folklore that is said to have a red face that can cause high fever and death in those who see it. It is also known as "Shufan" and appears in the Edo period's "Old Woman's Tea Tales."

According to one story, two travelers who were lost on their way from Echigo to Edo stumbled upon a house where an old woman welcomed them warmly. During the night, one of the men saw the old woman's tongue extend five feet long and lick the sleeping travelers. He heard a voice outside saying, "Tongue-Long Granny, why don't you attack them?" The old woman asked who was there, and a six-foot-tall monk named Shu no Bon appeared, offering to help. The man drew his short sword and attacked, causing Shu no Bon to disappear. The old woman carried the sleeping travelers out of the house, which vanished, leaving only the traveler alone in the wilderness. When he woke up, he found that his companion's flesh had been eaten, leaving only bones.

Another tale tells of Shu no Bon appearing in Tsuruga Castle. A young samurai named Yamada Tsunenobu encountered the creature and asked another samurai if he knew about it. The other samurai replied, "Is it like this?" and transformed into a monster with a red face, needle-like hair, a horn on its forehead, shining eyes, and a mouth that opened to its ears, emitting a terrifying grinding sound. Tsunenobu was frightened and passed out. When he woke up, he found himself in a house with only a female host. He told her about the monster, and she asked, "Is it like this?" before transforming into the same monster's face, causing Tsunenobu to flee back to his home. He died 100 days later.