Umi zatō (海座頭) is a Japaneseyōkai, or supernatural being, in theGazu Hyakki Yagyō byToriyama Sekien and in variousemakimono such as the Matsui Library'sHyakki Yagyō Emaki.
Inyōkai depictions, they are depicted looking like a giantbiwa hōshi standing above the sea holding a rod in the right hand and carrying apipa on their back.[1] There is no accompanying explanatory text in theGazu Hyakki Yagyō orHyakki Yagyō Emaki, so it is unknown what kind ofyōkai this was intended to be. Theyōkai researcherMurakami Kenji [ja] considers it ayōkai that has existed only in these paintings.[2]
In books published in the postwar era, there has been the interpretation that this is a kind ofumibōzu, which frequently appear off the coast ofSanriku,Rikuchū Province (nowIwate prefecture).[1][3] Although they are counted among theumibōzu, their times of appearance are different, appearing at the times whenumibōzu no longer appear, often at the end of the month.[1] They walk around on top of the water, threaten fishermen and beckon ships to make them capsize,[1] and sometimes even swallow ships whole.[4] There is also the theory that they appear above the sea taking on the appearance of azatō (a kind of member of the blind persons' guild such as thetōdōza or a ranking of members of related groups such theAnma,moxibustion practitioners, and members of thebiwa hōshi, among other organizations) to frighten people.[5] However, it is said that if theumi zatō's words are answered properly, then it will go away.[1]