Tsuchinoko
| (Tsuchinoko (Romaji), Bachi-hebi (North Japan)) |
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|---|---|
 |
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| Creature | |
| Grouping | Cryptid |
| Sub grouping | Mutter |
| Data | |
| Country | Japan |
The Tsuchinoko (ツチノコ or 槌の子) literally translating to "hammer's spawn," is a legendary snake-like cryptid from Japan. The name tsuchinoko is prevalent in Western Japan, including Kansai and Shikoku; the creature is known as bachi hebi (バチヘビ) in Northeastern Japan.
Tsuchinoko are described as being between 30 and 80 centimetres in length, similar in appearance to a snake, but with a central girth that is much wider than its head or tail, and as having fangs and venom similar to that of a viper.[1] Some accounts also describe the tsuchinoko as being able to jump up to a meter in distance.[2]
According to legend, some tsuchinoko have the ability to speak and a propensity for lying, and is also said to have a taste for alcohol. Legend records that it will sometimes swallow its own tail so that it can roll like a hoop, similarly to the mythical hoop snake.
References
- ^ Moriguchi, Kenzo (2001-06-16). "Town touting mythical snake find; is 'rare' creature really a cash cow?". The Japan Times. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20010616b1.html. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
- ^ Metropolis, "Fortean Japan", 27 June 2008, p. 12.
Fiction
- In a episode of the Japanese TV Series "Doraemon" a Tsuchinoko is found by Nobita and Doraemon in the mountain, but they decide to keep it as a secret. In this series, the Tsuchinoko is more slug-like and totally harmless.
