In Japanese folklore, the zashiki-warashi is a household spirit said to bring prosperity while appearing as a child.
Zashiki-warashi are especially associated with Iwate Prefecture and the Tōhoku region. The name combines zashiki, a traditional sitting room, with warashi, a regional word for child. Stories describe an invisible or childlike presence living in a well-maintained home.
A household visited by one may prosper, while a family can suffer misfortune if the spirit leaves. Folklore accounts attribute small disturbances to the being, including footsteps, laughter, moved objects, or children’s games. These stories are not simply about a monster: the spirit’s presence is often treated as a sign of household fortune.
Descriptions vary by tale. Some accounts portray a red-faced girl, while others describe a boy or an unseen child. That regional variation is why the term refers to a folklore category rather than one fixed-looking individual. Zashiki-warashi are also distinct from kami and from the fox spirits called kitsune.