Hofgoblin (ホフゴブリン, Hofugoburin), often corrected to Hobgoblin,¹⁾ is a creature from western forklore that Yukari Yakumo had invited into Gensokyo from the outside world in Touhou Ibarakasen to serve a specific purpose temporarily before they became workers at Koumakan.

The hofgoblins are directly inspired by the hobgoblin, which are said to be mischievous, ugly creatures with demon-like or fairy-like abilities (goblin) and often serve as a household spirit (hob). They resemble small, hairy men, and they get easily annoyed, but they do help with chores and bring prosperity to households. However, they are rather weak and insignificant.

“Calling me a 'thing' is pretty rude, you know.”
– Hofgoblin

In Wild and Horned Hermit, it's mentioned that Yukari went overseas and decided to bring hofgoblins into Gensokyo in Chapter 14 since they performed the same jobs as the Human Village's Zashiki Warashi. Yukari later reveals that they were supposed to distract from Zashiki Warashi being spies for the youkai.

The rest of the chapter explains that the hobgoblins weren't well received by the residents of the Human Village since they weren't as cute, so Reimu and Kasen decide to chase them out of the Human Village. However, it's shown at the end of the chapter that they all found work at Koumakan now.

In Forbidden Scrollery, it's believed that a Hofgoblin is serving tea at Koumakan in Chapter 3. However, their appearance wildly differs from their Wild and Horned Hermit appearance since the two chapters were released within the same month,²⁾ which suggests that the artists didn't know how the other would depict them.

• At the moment, they don't speak in speech balloons and their lines float around them.

• Hofgoblin on Pixiv Encyclopedia [JA]
• Hofgoblin on Niconico Encyclopedia [JA]
• Other Characters on Touhou Wiki [JA]
• Touhou Ibarakasen § Chapter 14 on Touhou Mononeta Wiki [JA]
• Goblin on THBWiki [ZH]
• Goblin (Touhou Project) on Moegirl Encyclopedia [ZH]
• Hobgoblin on Touhou Wiki [EN]

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