Tankororin (たんころりん)

Name Meaning

Overview

\n

Tankororin (たんころりん) is an onomatopoeic name referring to a rolling, thudding sound—mimicking the fall of an overripe persimmon.

Origin

  • Originates from regional folklore in Japan, particularly around agricultural villages.
  • Appears in stories involving neglected fruit or haunted orchards.
  • Likely a form of tsukumogami—objects or things that become yokai over time.

Appearance

  • Looks like a glowing, rotting persimmon with eerie light pouring from its core.
  • May float or roll along the ground by itself.
  • Can have a ghostly, face-like imprint in its skin.

Behavior & Myths

  • Rolls across roads or paths at night, startling passersby.
  • Glows faintly in the dark, similar to will-o'-the-wisps.
  • Seen as a minor, mischievous spirit with a spooky presence rather than real danger.

Symbolism

  • Represents decay and the forgotten, especially in agricultural settings.
  • A warning about wastefulness and neglecting nature’s gifts.
  • Part of broader beliefs about inanimate objects becoming animated after long disuse.
Tankororin persimmon yokai
Haunted persimmon monster