Top Ten New Species 2010 - Part 1.5
BY ALPER ÖZKAN (MBG/IV)
d_ozkan@ug.bilkent.edu.tr
Without further ado, let's continue the last week's list. At least that's what I wanted to say, but truth be told I don't want to struggle with PubMed at the moment, given that there's a current bug that prevents you from narrowing down your searches. So I'll devote this week's column to mythology instead - I've been intent on writing about Japan for quite a while, so let's get this out of the way. If memory serves, I already talked about Heike crabs on a previous column - if I haven't, let's just say that they're crabs with face patterns on their backs, said to be the souls of Taira warriors fallen in the Battle of Dan-no-Ura (to be honest, Taira had it coming to them. Read the Tale of Heike if you're interested, an excellent English translation is available in the library.) Since the Taira have received their honorary mention previously, this week will not concern them, and I don't want to deal with the Sengoku period, Mongol invasions and the like either (honestly, I don't know much Japanese history). Instead, let's move beyond mortal affairs and into the realm of monsters.
The native spooks of Japan come in just about every shape and form, some humanoid and others decidedly Lovecraftian. One important archetype, so to speak, are the shapeshifting animals, which show great variety: foxes, raccoon dogs, badgers, turtles, spiders, river otters (now probably extinct, by the way), and cats are all known to take human shape, though cats in particular utilize a rather nasty method to integrate into society - they eat their chosen victim, stash away the remains and replace him. Their intent is usually to trick a gullible person or steal some human-made goods (river otters are said to be drunkards, for example), but anthropophagic monsters also enjoy easy hunting opportunities that come with being a wolf in sheep's clothing. Before they can do much mischief, such monstrous animals are often revealed and slain, which may involve the efforts of a hero since such monsters can grow larger than their mundane counterparts. But those animals can be beneficial as well - Bunbuku Chagama and the fox Genkuro are two examples.
The dead also take an important role in every culture, and Japan is no exception. The aforementioned colossal skeleton gashadokuro is just one creature the deceased may transform into, and the method of death usually determines what sort of monster the uncontent spirit may end up becoming (those who die at sea, for example, are said to turn into seabound ghosts seeking to drown more people). As befitting the traditional image of ghosts, those with a particular grudge in life usually end up coming back to carry it out; the most famous example is probably Taira no Masakado, the only ghost in the world with a bank account (he's quite rich, too!) However, Japan is surprisingly practical when it comes to dealing with the restless dead; apparently arrows and swords work pretty well against ghosts and monsters alike. My favorite in this aspect is the nue, and the relevant story is quite simple: An ominous cloud appeared above the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, immediately an archer was dispatched and the beast hiding within the cloud was shot down. Incidentally, some 170 years later, another ominous bird (this time called itsumaden, a haunt formed from starvation victims) appeared above the Imperial Place in Kyoto; another archer was dispatched, and the apparition was shot down. Moral of the story: If you're some kind of misfortune-bringing demon bird, don't hang around Kyoto.
Well, that's about it! Resources on Japanese mythology are plentiful (but unfortunately some are untranslated) so should you try to expand your knowledge, you'll find no dearth of information on the Internet. Which reminds me, the Chinese book Bai Ze Tu is unfortunately lost to us, but apparently it even has information on how monsters taste like. You know, for those times where you've just vanquished some terrible beast of lore and want to try something different for dinner.
Well, that's about it. Really, this time. Actually, I wanted to mention ...