"Hokkaido's Yokai Legends"：A story of mystery and nature nurtured by Ainu culture.”

Hello! This is Iwapiko。actually、I love monsters too much、I live a life chasing that charm every day.。From the monsters that appear in legends and folk tales、New monsters born from fiction and urban legends、Everything is a treasure! Particularly, “Eh?、Is there such an episode? ” or “This monster、It was also drawn like this! ? I love discoveries like “。

The mystery and romance of monsters、Sometimes a little scary, but with a lovely side、I want to have fun with everyone。The world of monsters you don't know about、Would you like to take a look together?

Today we will introduce the “Hokkaido edition”!

Living in the land of Hokkaido、invisible story

Hokkaido is surrounded by vast nature。the mountains、river、In the forest、It has a magnificent beauty that captivates visitors.。but、How many people are aware of the "invisible presence" hidden deep within that beauty?

An indigenous people of HokkaidoAinuthe people of、I believe that everything in nature has life.、I've been called "Kamuy" (God)。The Ainu、Has a unique culture that coexists with nature、hunting and fishing、Collecting plants has been the basis of life.。Ainu is its own language、It is characterized by beliefs and rituals in ``Kamuy'' (gods) who symbolize the power of nature.。Also、Traditional crafts such as beautiful embroidery and wood carving are also famous.。In recent years、Re-evaluating Ainu culture、Efforts are underway to convey its appeal.。Learning about Japan's diverse culture、Ainu history and tradition are essential。Wind, fire, and trees、and animals too、Each person has been respected as a being with a unique will.。This deep faith and reverence、Created stories about monsters and spirits。

These monsters are、More than just a "terrible existence"。symbolizing the power of nature itself、It is an existence that teaches us respect and lessons for nature.。In this article、Introducing 5 Yokai that have been passed down in Hokkaido.。by knowing their stories、You will feel that Hokkaido's nature is more than just a scenery.。

5 Yokai of Hokkaido：Beings created by nature and culture

1. Koropokkuru – a little fairy hiding under the butterfly leaves

Koropokkuru is、It is a type of fairy that is passed down from generation to generation in Ainu culture.。They live under the leaves of butterbur、In the past, they shared fish and food with the Ainu people.、We built a mutually supportive relationship.。but、destroy their homes、Interfering recklessly、It is said that he will disappear。

In the vast buttercup fields of Ashoro town and eastern Hokkaido,、The legend of Koropokkuru remains strong.。In that quiet landscape、When you see the leaves of a large butterfly swaying,、I can't help but think of the tiny inhabitants hiding under the leaves.。The story of Koropokkuru、respect nature、It teaches us the importance of treating people with modesty.。

2. Mintu Chikamui – A mischievous person who protects the waterfront

Mintuchikamuy is half-human and half-beast.、While known as a protector of water sources,、I also like pranks that surprise people.。In Ainu culture、water is the source of life、has been considered especially sacred。their pranks、It is also said to have the meaning of warning people not to take water lightly.。

In Tomakomai and southern Hokkaido、Strange phenomena that occur near lakes and rivers are believed to be the work of Mintuchikamui.。for example、Ripples that suddenly spread on the calm surface of the lake、Laughter like the wind can be heard from the water's edge。If you had such an experience、This may be proof that they protect the water.。

3. Repun Kamuy – Spirit of lakes and rivers

Repun Kamuy is、In Ainu culture, it is said to be a god who protects lakes and rivers.。They are the blessings of water、At the same time, it is also an important entity that controls that power.。It was believed that angering him would cause flooding.、Ainu people do not pollute the waterside、I always try to remember to be grateful.。

The sky and mountains reflected on the transparent water surface of Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya、It's as if Repun Kamuy is watching over the place.。Surrounded by the tranquility of the lake、Not just water、You will feel as if you are touching the very life of the earth.。

4. Iwaoroshi – the giant who moves mountains

Iwaoroshi is、A monster with the power to destroy mountains and rocks.。Its strength symbolizes the threat of nature itself.、It is said that landslides and rumblings in mountainous areas are caused by him.。In Ainu culture、Mountains themselves are thought to be living beings.、Iwa Oroshi is the kind of person who represents that will.。

Daisetsuzan Mountain Range, Hidaka Mountain Range, etc.、The legend of Iwaoroshi lives on in the rugged mountains of Hokkaido.。When you experience the silence of the mountains while climbing or trekking、You may be able to feel their powerful breathing.。

5. Funendori – a symbol of rebirth born from fire

The flameless bird is、A monster said to have been born from the belly of a cremated man.。As the name suggests、It has the property of not being flammable.、It is passed down from generation to generation as a symbol of death and rebirth.。This story is、It teaches us about the end of life and the reincarnation of new beginnings.。

Around Hakodate、The legend of the unburnable bird remains。Flattering from the bonfire、The figure that disappeared into the sky without disappearing even though it was engulfed in flames.、Not just a fantasy、It is passed down from generation to generation as a symbol of the mystery of life.。

The charms of Hokkaido taught by monsters

The monsters of Hokkaido、Not just a character in a ghost story。they symbolize nature itself、They are the ones who convey to us the spirit of respect for nature and the attitude of facing it humbly.。And in the background、There is a deep spirituality of Ainu culture.。

If you are interested in Hokkaido after reading this article、Please feel free to visit this place with their stories in mind.。By feeling the presence of monsters in the majestic nature、It's sure to make your trip even more special.。

If you like this article、Please share and bookmark。and、I would be happy if you could tell me what you thought after reading this article and your experiences in Hokkaido in the comments section!

Next time, the theme will be “Yokai of Aomori”、We bring you a deeper and more mysterious story.。Please look forward to it!