Backfire
The Tanuki with Fire on His Back
It was just a little prank. ...you're not still holding a grudge, are you?
By Katsuki Mitsumori
Profile
The ghost of the tanuki who, as punishment for tricking an old woman, had his back set alight by a rabbit and was sunk in a mud boat. The 'crackle-crackle' of the flint striking still sends a chill down the spine. He embodies the karma of a small prank coming back as a revenge beyond all imagining, and he slowly scorches the backs of those who mock others lightly. He himself insists 'I never thought they'd get me back like that,' but the rabbit showed no mercy at all.
Relationships with other curses
With The Persimmon Seed of the monkey-crab feud, he's a comrade in the karma of revenge taken too far. The match girl Ember occasionally comes to borrow a little of the fire on his back.
How to deal with this curse
Backfire embodies the everyday frustration of "folk tales." Bottled-up feelings only grow heavier. The moment you feel it, give it a name and write it out — that is the quickest way to make it lighter. Noroi Nikki is a place to write journal entries that are not public to other users.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Q.What is Backfire?
Backfire is a R-rarity yokai in the "Noroppi Zukan" of the emotional journaling app Noroi Nikki, in the "Folk tales" category, also known as "The Tanuki with Fire on His Back." The ghost of the tanuki who, as punishment for tricking an old woman, had his back set alight by a rabbit and was sunk in a mud boat. The 'crackle-crackle' of the flint striking still sends a chill down the spine. He embodies the karma of a small prank coming back as a revenge beyond all imagining, and he slowly scorches the backs of those who mock others lightly. He himself insists 'I never thought they'd get me back like that,' but the rabbit showed no mercy at all.
Q.How do you deal with Backfire?
When you feel the kind of frustration Backfire represents, it helps to name that feeling and write it out. With Noroi Nikki you can vent it privately and quietly let it go.
About the author
Katsuki Mitsumori三森 捷暉
CEO, SURISUTA K.K. / Operator of Doya Marke AI
Runs Doya Marke AI, a suite of practical AI services spanning content, ads, sales and HR, and hosts the YouTube channel 'SaaS wa Shinimasshen.' Creator and developer of Noroi Nikki, an app for writing out and letting go of emotions.
This article explains folklore, language and culture. It is not medical, legal or religious advice. Traditions are introduced as culture, not as instructions to harm anyone. Claims without a source are marked as popular belief.
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Folk tales
