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Akaguchi
Akaguchi is a youkai from the north western region of Aomori prefecture. This youkai resides in an amorphous black cloud baring visibly its komainu (Japanese lion-dog) face and large claws. Its visible face and claws are covered in thick blue hair. It is distinguished by its large red mouth and tongue.

Akaguchi is portrayed above a floodgate. This is because Akaguchi has association with the use of water in farming country. Though some sources say Akaguchi is simply an omen of bad luck, others represent Akaguchi as a protective spirit. During droughts, water is carefully controlled and distributed equally to farmers in the area. As a form of warfare, some would siphon above the allotted amount of water for their personal fields. This was a great crime and could cost neighboring farmers their livelihood. It was believed that the perpetrators of this crime not punished by law would be punished by Akaguchi. If these criminals came near the floodgate Akaguchi would appear and swallow them scooping them up with its giant red tongue.

Akaguchi is in fact more commonly known by the name Akashita. This alternate name uses the characters meaning “red tongue” 赤舌 instead of “red mouth” 赤口and parallels the name of the God shyakuzetsujin 赤舌神 found within a traditional Japanese esoteric cosmology called Onmyōdō 陰陽道 (The way of Yin and Yang). Shyakuzetsujin is responsible for guarding the Western Gate of Jupiter. Whether there is a direct influence in the characterization of this youkai in relation to the God is unknown, but sources frequently speculate over the similar purposes the youkai and God serve. The name Akashita also shares the characters with shyakuzetsunichi 赤舌日 which marks a day of bad luck in Onmyoudou. Sources speculate that this may also have affiliation to the folklore of Akaguchi being an omen of bad luck.

Akaguchi appears in later portrayals with purple like hair and exclusively the name Akashita. This has led to modern portrayals of Akaguchi with red or purple hair and familiarized the name Akashita more so then the older name Akaguchi.