Tōfu-kozō

right|thumb|Tōfu-kozō from the Kyōka Hyaku Monogatari by Masasumi Ryuukansaijin In Japanese folklore, tōfu-kozō (, literally "tofu boy") is a yōkai that looks like a child holding a tray of tōfu. It frequently appears in the kusazōshi, kibyōshi and kaidan books from the Edo period, and from the Bakumatsu to the Meiji period, people have become familiar with them as a character illustrated on toys such as kites, sugoroku, and karuta. They can also be seen in senryū, kyōka, e-hon banzuke (pamphlets that introduce the contents of a shibai), and nishiki-e, etc.

==Summary== They are generally depicted wearing bamboo and kasa on their heads, and possessing a round tray with a momiji-dōfu on it (a tōfu with a momiji (autumn leaf) shape pressed into it). The patterns on the clothing they wear, for the sake of warding off smallpox, include lucky charms such as harukoma (春駒), daruma dolls, horned owls, swinging drums, and red fish, and sometimes lattice patterns of the child that shows its status as a child can also be seen.