Is the Harbinger of Spring based on a real Japanese legend?


In Episode 2 of Flying Witch, this rather strange looking fellow appears and
terrorizes poor Chinatsu at the door.

[![harbinger of
spring](https://i.stack.imgur.com/z0T3Lm.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/z0T3Lm.jpg)

Makoto explains that he's the Harbinger of Spring, some kind of nature spirit
who ushers out the winter and ushers in the spring, like a fairy.

[![he's the harbinger of
spring](https://i.stack.imgur.com/SYTg3m.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/SYTg3m.jpg)
[![he bids farewell to
winter](https://i.stack.imgur.com/xsw0Wm.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/xsw0Wm.jpg)
[![and brings about
spring](https://i.stack.imgur.com/kdgS3m.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/kdgS3m.jpg)]
[![he's like a
fairy](https://i.stack.imgur.com/wcO16m.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/wcO16m.jpg)

> He's the Harbinger of Spring. He's a splendid person who bids farewell to
> winter and brings about spring. He's like the fairy of spring.

The series takes place in the modern day and the witches and magic are very
Western in style. However, the Harbinger's clothing looks like traditional
Japanese clothing (almost ninja-like).

[![the harbinger at the
door](https://i.stack.imgur.com/3uE64m.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/3uE64m.jpg)
[![the harbinger's
sandals](https://i.stack.imgur.com/FkaYFm.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/FkaYFm.jpg)

His mask sort of reminds me of a cross between the kodama from Princess
Mononoke and the style of Jomon pottery:

[![kodama](https://i.stack.imgur.com/245F6m.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/245F6m.jpg)
[![jomon
pottery](https://i.stack.imgur.com/0YQrDm.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/0YQrDm.jpg)

So, at least within the series, it seems like the Harbinger is supposed to be
a traditional Japanese spirit. Is it based on any similar real-life legend or
is it completely a creation of the series?




In the anime, the Harbinger of Spring is called 春の運び屋 _haru no hakobiya_
(spoken around `07:50`~`07:55` on
[Crunchyroll](http://www.crunchyroll.com/flying-witch/episode-2-a-visitor-for-
the-witch-712217)).

While I don’t remember having heard this name or seen this appearance before,
similar “spirits” exist in Japanese folklore. And animes like this usually
portray one or two, e.g. _Mushishi_ or _Natsume’s Book of Friends_.

I would consider the Harbinger of Spring a force or spirit of nature, and not
necessarily a specific legendary being, even if it may appear as one, like in
this anime.

