The Emaciated and Malformed Japanese Ghost with a Hunger For Shame
We’re heading back to Asia, and into the world of Buddhism’s Hungry Ghosts! Now I believe the way this works is that a multitude of eastern religions have some form of Preta, aka the Hungry Ghost. These souls, unsatisfied in life or cursed by their own karma are forced to wander the world suffering unquenchable thirst or hunger and equipped with a body that’s just not set up for consumption nor satisfaction.
Picture if you will a really starved alien, or maybe a potbellied Giocametti sculpture… limbs and digits too long, a misshapen oversized head with a teeny tiny mouth atop a neck so thin that a pea would get stuck mid swallow. Now give it a belly full of bloat and bacteria and you’re starting to get the picture.
Now the Japanese, as they are want to do, take an already creepy legend and make it downright freaky. Their version of the Preta, the Gaki, looks similar, maybe add on some Oni-esque tufts of hair and some dragony claws… but it’s hunger… oh it’s hunger’s for bad stuff… soiled puddles, dirt, animals, feces, human flesh… basically anything that would bring shame to, well, we’ll just say to most folks.
That’s what you got! All I ask is you don’t try too hard and have fun with it! We’ll close off submissions for judgement midnight of Friday the 10th… As always, We’ll gather the judges council and pick one to win a shirt, so get your asses doodling!
And for those unwanting to read the bulleted list of descriptors:
- Hails from Japan
- Unbearably skinny, except for it’s bloated, distended belly
- Has a giant malformed head with a teeny, tiny, mouth
- Long stick like limbs ending in horrifically gnarled and clawed hands and feet
- Hungers incessantly for horrific things that shame the living
The Judges have convened and decision rendered! Here’s what everyone picked and their reasonings:
Mona
#8… can’t help but love #8, it speaks to me…I think I’ve been this Gaki before…I hope it ate something especially offensive right before this!
Ken
# 7 – i pick #7. Just cuz it’s badass.
Sarah
#3 – Gaki #3 is borderline too freaky, but I think thats what makes it great. +7 points for the bag of horrific midnight snacks.
Cody
#11 – I’m going to go with 11. For all it’s viciousness, the Gaki is sophisticated enough to bring a fork and knife to it’s meal. Great nipple ratio!
Chip
So I get to be the old timey tie breaker this round! Now # 7… with its especially drooly poop is a damn fine beast for a newcomer and you aaaaallllmost got me… but dammit… I’m going with # 3 too… I don’t care what sneurat says, that’s no where near too freaky, and nevermind the gaki, that bagful of beast could warm my heart for a year… and I’m still pretty convinced that snake is wearing a beret! (if he’s not, just let me believe!)
So that’s a win for #3! Congrats to jeanine I’ll be in touch!
Disagree if you must but know that judgement is law and to the winner a shirt will go…. Thanks to drawers and judges alike. And even though the contest is done we’ll always welcome new Gaki drawings for the archives! So draw on and remember, 25 beasts drawn earns you a shirt!
