Hiruma Shikibu was a renowned samurai happily married until the death of his wife left him devastated. He asked a Kuni cousin of his to summon an oni with his name. Hiruma Shikibu then demanded that Shikibu no Oni bring back Hiruma Hiruko to life. Shikibu no Oni cunningly answered the demand by changing itself into Hiruko, living for several weeks in the company of Shikibu, long enough in fact to devour the soul of Shikibu.