Backscratcher - Magonote

A tool used to scratch hard-to-reach places such as the back. It is a walking stick made by shaving bamboo or other materials into a thin strip, and the end is shaped like a hand with the fingertips slightly bent. The word is said to be derived from the hand of the legendary Chinese fairy, Mago. Mago mastered the art of immortality on Mount Koyo during the Later Han Dynasty. Her claws were as long as a bird's, and it is said that being scratched with them felt very good. There is a proverb that says, "Use Mago to scratch your itch," which is an analogy for things going smoothly as you wish.

[Yoshihiro Yoshii]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

背中などの手の届かないところを掻(か)くのに用いられる道具。竹材などを細く削ってできた杖(つえ)状のもので、先が指先を軽く折り曲げた片手の形になっている。この語は、中国の伝説上の仙女、麻姑(まこ)の手から転じたものといわれている。麻姑は、後漢(ごかん)の時代に、姑余(こよ)山で仙道を修得した。その爪(つめ)は鳥のように長く、それで掻かれると非常に気持ちがよかったという。物事がうまく思いどおりに運ぶことのたとえに「麻姑を倩(やと)うて痒(かゆ)きを掻く」という諺(ことわざ)がある。

［芳井敬郎］

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