My theme for this year’s April A-Z Blog Challenge is fantastical creatures, celebrating my upcoming book, On the Virtues of Beasts of the Realms of Imagination, which will be released by the end of the year. Please check out my Kickstarter Campaign for the project! There's all sorts of additional information about my book, pictures, and even a video!
Once again, rather than rehash information I’ve posted before, I’ll send you right away to read
… And now that you know what a kasa-obake is, I’ll tell you about my version. It’s just a small piece with not a lot of room for detail, and it’s pretty straightforward. I tried to remain true to the traditional description of the thing, so my twist on it is in its setting and pose. You might recognize it… Yes, that’s Gene Kelly in the 1952 classic Singin’ in the Rain. I figured that a sentient umbrella would surely out-Kelly Gene Kelly himself. I like to imagine this Japanese spiritor creature on dark, stormy nights happily singin’ and dancin’ in the rain.
Do you like the rain?
[Picture: Singin’ in the Rain, rubber block print by AEGN, 2016;
Photo of Gene Kelly from Singin' in the Rain, MGM, 1952.]
I do like rain, but not with a kasa-obake overhead.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I'd rather have an ordinary umbrella.
ReplyDeleteNow that's one amazing sort of creature. I've always wondered why I'm drawn to umbrellas - perhaps I unconsciously hope I might one day spot a kasa-obake. I really smiled at your decision to do a "Singin' in the Rain"-inspired pose - how fun is that?
ReplyDeleteDeborah, I have to confess I really like umbrellas, too - I like the mechanics of the way they fold and expand, I like the clever or beautiful patterns people devise for them, I like that they keep me a bit drier in the rain... *teaser* There is another umbrella creature in the alphabet!
ReplyDeleteGood I came know about Kasa-obake. I read the Wikipedia article on it. Coming here as part my A to Z visits. Interesting stuff around.
ReplyDeleteFor my A to Z 2019 blog, Industrial Engineering and Operations Management - Distinction and Combination turns out to be the most useful post. It has 266 page views so far. I expect 1000 page views by April end. I encourage bloggers to take care of page views also.
One eye, one arm, one leg - definitely an obake creature. Your post reminded me of the obake ghost stories Glen Grant told and wrote about.
ReplyDeletehttp://gail-baugniet.blogspot.com
Thanks for your comment on my blog. Mhm, rain. I don't like being in it because we rarely get gentle rain here. However, I have a garden so I know the flowers and plants need it.
ReplyDeleteNicely done!
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