Ootakemaru (大嶽丸, also sometimes called 鬼神魔王、大だけ丸、or 大竹丸) is a figure in Japanese folklore. He resides on Suzuka Mountain, a connection of mountains and ravines bordering the Ise and Oumi countries,[1] as a Kijin [jp]. He lived during the reign of Emperor Kanmu (781-806) and was one of the chief enemies of shogun Sakanoue no Tamuramaro. Ootakemaru mostly connected to the story of Sakanoue no Tamuromaro's oni extermination. [2] He is considered one of the Great Three Evil Yokai of Japan [jp] alongside Shuten-dōji and Tamamo-no-Mae,[3] though some version of the list replace Ootakemaru with Sutoku-tenno.

By Utagawa Kuniyoshi. From left to right, Ootakemaru, Suzuka Gozen, Sakanoue no Tamuramaro

Ootakemaru was said to be able to manipulate the weather such as storms and thunder, capable of creating dark clouds to cover Suzuka Mountain that rained fire.[4]

In Popular Culture edit

  • Onmyōji - Ootakemaru appears as an NPC and boss.
  • Nioh 2 - Ootakemaru appears as the main antagonist of the game and its DLC.
  • Fate/Extra - in the Fox Tails manga, he was mentioned in Suzuka Goten's backstory.

References edit

  1. ^ 山田雄司『鈴鹿峠と坂上田村麻呂』三重大学人文学部考古学・日本史・東洋史研究室、三重大学人文学部考古学 〈三重大史学〉、第8号、2008年3月 https://mie-u.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=pages_view_main&active_action=repository_view_main_item_detail&item_id=1035&item_no=1&page_id=13&block_id=21
  2. ^ 内藤正敏 『鬼と修験のフォークロア』法政大学出版局〈民俗の発見〉、2007年3月1日。ISBN 978-4-588-27042-0
  3. ^ 小松和彦『妖怪変化の身上調書』 32, 第8号 2007年
  4. ^ 山口敏太郎 『大迫力!日本の妖怪大百科』西東社、2014年。ISBN 978-4-7916-2120-0

Attribution edit

  • Content in this edit is translated from the existing Japanese Wikipedia article at jp:大嶽丸; see its history for attribution.