Koshin-night demon peering from the roof
Shokera
Once every sixty days, a shadow waits at the roof for you to sleep. If you doze, Shokera runs to heaven with every sin.
Overview
Shokera is a demon associated with Koshin night and the Daoist belief in the three worms. When a person sleeps, the worms leave the body, report sins to the heavenly deity, and shorten life.
Encounter
Every sixtieth night, on Koshin, a shadow appears at the roof opening to see whether the household has fallen asleep. People stayed awake with lamps and conversation to prevent the worms from leaving.
Lore
Shokera appears in Hyakkai Zukan and Sekien's Gazu Hyakki Yagyo without explanation. It is linked to Koshin-machi belief and the figure held by Shomen Kongo.
Traits
It watches sleepers and carries reports of sin to heaven. Since those reports shorten life, people resist it by staying awake through Koshin night.
Are you sleeping, are you not sleeping? Do not sleep tonight.
Koshin-machi charm