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{{Short description|Yōkai}}
{{about|the mythical Japanese yōkai|the punk band|Kamaitachi (band)|the video game "The Night of the Sickle Weasel"|Kamaitachi no Yoru|the professional wrestler|Hiromu Takahashi|the [[Sepultura]]/[[Kodō (taiko group)|Kodō]] instrumental song|Against (Sepultura album)}}
{{about|the Japanese yōkai|the punk band|Kamaitachi (band)|the comedy duo|Kamaitachi (comedy duo)|the professional wrestler|Hiromu Takahashi|the [[Sepultura]]/[[Kodō (taiko group)|Kodō]] song|Against (album)}}
{{Italic title|reason=[[:Category:Japanese words and phrases]]}}
{{Italic title|reason=[[:Category:Japanese words and phrases]]}}
[[File:SekienKamaitachi.jpg|thumb|"Kamaitachi" ({{lang|ja|窮奇}}) from the "[[Gazu Hyakki Yagyō]] by [[Toriyama Sekien]]]]
[[File:SekienKamaitachi.jpg|thumb|"Kamaitachi" ({{lang|ja|窮奇}}) from the "[[Gazu Hyakki Yagyō]] by [[Toriyama Sekien]]]]
[[File:Masasumi_Kamaitachi.jpg|thumb|"Kamaitachi" ({{lang|ja|鎌鼬}}) from the [[Kyōka Hyaku Monogatari]] by [[Masasumi Ryūkansaijin]]]]
[[File:Masasumi_Kamaitachi.jpg|thumb|"Kamaitachi" ({{lang|ja|鎌鼬}}) from the [[Kyōka Hyaku Monogatari]] by [[Masasumi Ryūkansaijin]]]]


{{nihongo|'''''Kamaitachi'''''|鎌鼬}} is a Japanese [[yōkai]] often told about in the [[Kōshin'etsu region]] and can also refer to the strange events that this creature causes.
{{nihongo|'''''Kamaitachi'''''|鎌鼬}} is a Japanese [[yōkai]] from the oral tradition of the [[Kōshin'etsu region]]. It can also refer to the strange events that this creature causes.


They appear riding on [[dust devil]]s and they cut people using the nails on both their hands that are like [[sickle]]s. One would receive a sharp, painless wound.
They appear riding on [[dust devil]]s and cut people using their [[sickle]]-like front claws, delivering sharp, painless wounds. The name is a combination of the words ''kama'' (sickle), and ''itachi'' (weasel).


==Origin==
==Origin==
It was originally thought to be a corruption of the word "kamae tachi" (stance sword), but like the kyūki in the "Yin" part of [[Toriyama Sekien]]'s [[Gazu Hyakki Yagyō]], they were thus re-used and depicted as a [[weasel]] yōkai, eventually becoming established as the yōkai it is now. In the "Mimibukuro" by [[Negishi Shizumori]] as well, children in the estate called Kagaya in [[Edo]] were enveloped by a whirlwind, and on the surface of their backs, there remained the footsteps of a beast, and it was written that this was the proof of a "kamae tachi" ({{lang|ja|構太刀}}).<ref>{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|千葉幹夫編}}|script-title=ja:全国妖怪事典|edition=|year=1995|publisher={{lang|ja|小学館}}|series={{lang|ja|小学館ライブラリー}}|isbn=978-4-09-460074-2|page=65|trans-title=National specter encyclopedia}}</ref> As a beast with fur like that of a [[hedgehog]], and a cry like that of a [[dog]], and one that flies through the air with wings, they are said to attack people with limbs like that of a [[sickle]] or [[razor]].<ref name="shokoku">{{Cite book|author=人文社編集部|script-title=ja:諸国怪談奇談集成 江戸諸国百物語 東日本編|year=2005|publisher=人文社|series=ものしりシリーズ|isbn=978-4-7959-1955-6|page=104}}</ref>
The name was originally thought to be a corruption of the word ''kamae tachi'' ("stance sword"), but like the kyūki in the "Yin" part of [[Toriyama Sekien]]'s [[Gazu Hyakki Yagyō]], they were thus{{how?|date=October 2020}} re-used and depicted as a [[weasel]] yōkai, eventually becoming established as the yōkai it is now.{{CN|date=October 2020}} In the "Mimibukuro" by [[Negishi Shizumori]] as well, children in the estate called Kagaya in [[Edo]] were enveloped by a whirlwind. Footsteps of a beast remained on the surface of their backs and it was written that this was the proof of a ''kamae tachi'' ({{lang|ja|構太刀}}).<ref>{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|千葉幹夫編}}|script-title=ja:全国妖怪事典|edition=|year=1995|publisher={{lang|ja|小学館}}|series={{lang|ja|小学館ライブラリー}}|isbn=978-4-09-460074-2|page=65|trans-title=National specter encyclopedia}}</ref> As a beast with fur like that of a [[hedgehog]] and a cry like that of a [[dog]] which flies through the air with wings, they are said to attack people with limbs like that of a [[sickle]] or [[razor]].<ref name="shokoku">{{Cite book|author=人文社編集部|script-title=ja:諸国怪談奇談集成 江戸諸国百物語 東日本編|year=2005|publisher=人文社|series=ものしりシリーズ|isbn=978-4-7959-1955-6|page=104}}</ref>


==Legends by area==
==Legends by area==
Devilish winds that would cut people are told about in the [[Chūbu region|Chūbu]], [[Kinki region|Kinki]], and other regions. There are many legends passed down in snowy regions and there are some regions that call whirlwinds themselves "kamaitachi". On occasions of cold wind and other times, they are also a strange event of where one would fall and get a leg injury.
Devilish winds that cut people are spoken of in the [[Chūbu region|Chūbu]], [[Kinki region|Kinki]], and other regions. There are many similar legends passed down in snowy regions and there are some regions where whirlwinds themselves are called "kamaitachi". On occasions of cold wind and other times, it can happen that one would fall and get an inexplicable leg injury.


In the Shin'etsu region, a kamaitachi is said to be the work of an evil god and there is a folk belief that one would encounter calamity by stepping on a calendar. It is counted among the [[seven mysteries of Echigo]].
In the Shin'etsu region, a kamaitachi is said to be the work of an evil god and there is a folk belief that one would encounter calamity by stepping on a calendar. It is counted among the [[seven mysteries of Echigo]].


In the [[Tōhoku]] region, when one receives an injury from a kamaitachi, it is said that by burning an old calendar black and putting it on the wound, it would heal.<ref name="youkaijiten">{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|村上健司編著}}|script-title=ja:妖怪事典|trans-title=Specter encyclopedia|year=2000|publisher={{lang|ja|毎日新聞社}}|isbn=978-4-620-31428-0|page=115}}</ref>
In the [[Tōhoku]] region, when one receives an injury from a kamaitachi, it is said that by burning an old calendar black and putting it on the wound, this would heal.<ref name="youkaijiten">{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|村上健司編著}}|script-title=ja:妖怪事典|trans-title=Specter encyclopedia|year=2000|publisher={{lang|ja|毎日新聞社}}|isbn=978-4-620-31428-0|page=115}}</ref>


In [[Hida Province|Hida]], in the [[Niu River]] basin, they are said in legends to be a company of 3 evil gods and the first god would knock down the person, the next god would cut with a blade and the third god would put some medicine on it which is why there is no bleeding or pain. There are also regions that think of these three gods as a parent, child and brother.
In [[Hida Province|Hida]], in the [[Niu River]] basin, they are said in legends to be a company of three evil gods. The first god would knock down the person, the next god would cut them with a blade, and the third god would put some medicine on it, which is why there is no bleeding or pain. There are also regions that think of these three gods as a parent, child and brother.


In the Yoshio District area of the [[Nara Prefecture]], it is said that when one gets bit by a kamaitachi invisible to the human eye, one would tumble over, even though no blood comes out, there is a big opening in the flesh.
In the Yoshio District area of the [[Nara Prefecture]], it is said that when one gets bit by a kamaitachi invisible to the human eye, one would tumble over; even though no blood comes out, there is a big opening in the flesh.


In the eastern part of the [[Aichi Prefecture]], they are also called [[Kuda-gitsune|idzuna]] ({{lang|ja|飯綱}}) and it is said that since an izuna-user once forgot to tell his disciple about how to seal an izuna, the runaway izuna would ride on whirlwinds and attack people in order to suck their living blood.<ref>{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|早川孝太郎}}|script-title=ja:日本民俗誌大系|year=1974|publisher={{lang|ja|角川書店}}|volume=第5巻|isbn=978-4-04-530305-0|page=91|script-chapter=ja:小県郡民譚集}}</ref> It is said that the reason why no blood comes from the wounds from a kamaitachi is because the blood is being sucked away.<ref name="gensousekai">{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|多田克己}}|script-title=ja:幻想世界の住人たち IV 日本編|year=1990|publisher={{lang|ja|新紀元社}}|series=Truth in fantasy|isbn=978-4-915146-44-2|pages=212–213}}</ref>
In the eastern part of [[Aichi Prefecture]], they are also called [[Kuda-gitsune|idzuna]] ({{lang|ja|飯綱}}) and it is said that since an izuna-user once forgot to tell his disciple how to seal an izuna, the runaway izuna would ride on whirlwinds and attack people in order to suck their living blood.<ref>{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|早川孝太郎}}|script-title=ja:日本民俗誌大系|year=1974|publisher={{lang|ja|角川書店}}|volume=第5巻|isbn=978-4-04-530305-0|page=91|script-chapter=ja:小県郡民譚集}}</ref> It is said that the reason why no blood comes from the wounds from a kamaitachi is because the blood is being sucked away.<ref name="gensousekai">{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|多田克己}}|script-title=ja:幻想世界の住人たち IV 日本編|year=1990|publisher={{lang|ja|新紀元社}}|series=Truth in fantasy|isbn=978-4-915146-44-2|pages=212–213}}</ref>


In the mountainous regions of [[Kōchi Prefecture]] and [[Tokushima Prefecture]] among other areas of [[West Japan]], encountering such a strange event is called "being cut by a nogama ({{lang|ja|野鎌}}, "wild sickle")," and they are said to be the deeds of grass-cutting sickles that have been left and forgotten on fields and have ended up turning into yōkai,<ref name="zukan">{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|京極夏彦・多田克己編著}}|script-title=ja:妖怪図巻|year=2000|publisher={{lang|ja|国書刊行会}}|isbn=978-4-336-04187-6|pages=181–182}}</ref> and they are also said to be a sickle's vengeful spirit ([[onryō]]) that has turned it into a [[tsukumogami]] (a receptacle that has turned into yōkai).<ref name="shokoku" /> In the [[Iya Valley|Iya region]], [[Tokushima Prefecture]], it is said that sickles and [[Hoe (tool)|hoes]] used for digging the hole in a funeral, if left for 7 days without taking it back, would turn into a nogama, and when one encounters a nogama, it is said that one should chant, "beneath the feet on the bottom-left of Buddha, is the stump of a kurotake [a species of bamboo], and quickly became clean, but let it grow back (hotoke no hidari no shita no omiashi no shita no, kurotake no kirikabu nari, itau wa nakare, hayaku routa ga, haekisaru)."<ref>{{Cite book|script-title=ja:妖怪事典|page=263|trans-title=Specter encyclopedia}}</ref>
In the mountainous regions of [[Kōchi Prefecture]] and [[Tokushima Prefecture]] among other areas of [[West Japan]], encountering such a strange event is called "being cut by a ''nogama'' ({{lang|ja|野鎌}}, "wild sickle")" and they are said to be caused by grass-cutting sickles that have been left and forgotten in fields and have ended up turning into yōkai.<ref name="zukan">{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|京極夏彦・多田克己編著}}|script-title=ja:妖怪図巻|year=2000|publisher={{lang|ja|国書刊行会}}|isbn=978-4-336-04187-6|pages=181–182}}</ref> They are also said to be a sickle's vengeful spirit ([[onryō]]) that has turned it into a [[tsukumogami]] (a receptacle that has turned into yōkai).<ref name="shokoku" /> In the [[Iya Valley|Iya region]], [[Tokushima Prefecture]], it is said that sickles and [[Hoe (tool)|hoes]] used for digging the grave for a funeral, if left out for seven days, turn into a nogama, and when one encounters a nogama, it is said that one should chant, "beneath the feet on the bottom-left of Buddha, is the stump of a kurotake [a species of bamboo], and quickly became clean, but let it grow back (hotoke no hidari no shita no omiashi no shita no, kurotake no kirikabu nari, itau wa nakare, hayaku routa ga, haekisaru)."<ref>{{Cite book|script-title=ja:妖怪事典|page=263|trans-title=Specter encyclopedia}}</ref>


In [[East Japan]], they are also said to be the work of a [[mantis]] or [[longhorn beetle]]'s ghost.<ref name="kyoka">{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|京極夏彦・多田克己編著}}|script-title=ja:妖怪画本 狂歌百物語|edition=|year=2008|publisher={{lang|ja|国書刊行会}}|isbn=978-4-3360-5055-7|page=294}}</ref> In the town of [[Katakai, Niigata|Katakai]], [[Santō District, Niigata|Santō District]], [[Niigata Prefecture]], in a place called "Kamakiri-zaka" ({{lang|ja|鎌切坂}} or {{lang|ja|蟷螂坂}}), after a giant mantis that once lived there was crushed to death by heavy snow, it is said that when one falls over on the hill, because of the mantis' curse, one would receive a wound as if one was cut by a sickle, result in one suffering from black blood flowing out.<ref name="youkaijiten" /><ref>{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|今野円輔編著}}|script-title=ja:日本怪談集 妖怪篇|year=1981|publisher={{lang|ja|社会思想社}}|series={{lang|ja|現代教養文庫}}|isbn=978-4-390-11055-6|page=24}}</ref>
In [[East Japan]], they are also said to be the work of a [[mantis]] or [[longhorn beetle]]'s ghost.<ref name="kyoka">{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|京極夏彦・多田克己編著}}|script-title=ja:妖怪画本 狂歌百物語|edition=|year=2008|publisher={{lang|ja|国書刊行会}}|isbn=978-4-3360-5055-7|page=294}}</ref> In the town of [[Katakai, Niigata|Katakai]], [[Santō District, Niigata|Santō District]], [[Niigata Prefecture]], in a place called "Kamakiri-zaka" ({{lang|ja|鎌切坂}} or {{lang|ja|蟷螂坂}}), after a giant mantis that once lived there was crushed to death by heavy snow, it is said that when one falls over on the hill, because of the mantis' curse, one would receive a wound as if one was cut by a sickle, result in one suffering from black blood flowing out.<ref name="youkaijiten" /><ref>{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|今野円輔編著}}|script-title=ja:日本怪談集 妖怪篇|year=1981|publisher={{lang|ja|社会思想社}}|series={{lang|ja|現代教養文庫}}|isbn=978-4-390-11055-6|page=24}}</ref>


In the western parts of Japan, kamaitachi are called "kazakama" ({{lang|ja|風鎌}}, "wind sickle") and said to slice off people's skins, and there is no pain the instants after it is scraped off, but after a while a hard to bear pain and bleeding would start to occur and it is said that one could protect against this by obtaining an old calendar in one's hand.<ref name="obake">{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|千葉幹夫}}|script-title=ja:妖怪お化け雑学事典|year=1991|publisher={{lang|ja|講談社}}|isbn=978-4-06-205172-9|pages=52–53}}</ref>
In the western parts of Japan, kamaitachi are called ''kazakama'' ({{lang|ja|風鎌}}, "wind sickle") and said to slice off people's skins. There is no pain the instant after it is scraped off, but after a while an unbearable pain and bleeding would start to occur. It is said that one could protect against this by obtaining an old calendar in one's hand.<ref name="obake">{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|千葉幹夫}}|script-title=ja:妖怪お化け雑学事典|year=1991|publisher={{lang|ja|講談社}}|isbn=978-4-06-205172-9|pages=52–53}}</ref>


Also, there are tales of experiences with these not only in the outdoors but also indoors, and in Edo, there are tales of women who attempted to do their business in a bathroom in [[Yotsuya, Tokyo|Yotsuya]] and men who attempted put on a [[Geta (footwear)|geta]] in [[Ushigome, Tokyo|Ushigome]] who encountered kamaitachi.<ref name="obake" /> In [[Ōme, Tokyo|Ōme]], there is a story where a certain woman had her lover stolen by another woman and gathering up her resentment, when she cut her own hair, that hair became a kamaitachi and cut off her rival in love's head by the neck with a single stroke.<ref>{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|山口敏太郎}}|script-title=ja:江戸武蔵野妖怪図鑑|year=2002|publisher={{lang|ja|けやき出版}}|isbn=978-4-87751-168-5|page=81}}</ref> In this way, the legends of the kamaitachi in these various area are the same phenomena, but what their true identity is thought to be is not uniform.<ref name="youkaijiten"/>
There are tales of encountering these not only outdoors but also indoors. In Edo, there are tales of women who attempted to do their business in a bathroom in [[Yotsuya, Tokyo|Yotsuya]] and men who attempted put on a [[Geta (footwear)|geta]] in [[Ushigome, Tokyo|Ushigome]] who encountered kamaitachi.<ref name="obake" /> In [[Ōme, Tokyo|Ōme]], there is a story where a certain woman had her lover stolen by another woman, whom she greatly resented. When she cut her own hair, that hair became a kamaitachi and decapitated her rival with a single stroke.<ref>{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|山口敏太郎}}|script-title=ja:江戸武蔵野妖怪図鑑|year=2002|publisher={{lang|ja|けやき出版}}|isbn=978-4-87751-168-5|page=81}}</ref> In this way, the legends of the kamaitachi in these various areas represent the same phenomena, but what their true identity is thought to be is not uniform.<ref name="youkaijiten"/>


==Writings in old literature==
==Writings in old literature==
In the [[Edo period]], in the essay "Sōzan Chomon Kishū ({{lang|ja|想山著聞奇集}})" by [[Miyoshi Shōzan]], a feudal warrior of Owari, it is said that the wounds from a kamaitachi does not result in pain or bleeding at first, but afterwards an intense pain and great amounts of bleeding results, so much that sometimes even the bones can be seen from the wound opening, and even a danger of death. Since these wounds are often received on the lower part of the body, it also states that a kamaitachi cannot jump higher than about 1 shaku (about 30 centimeters). Also according to Miyoshi Shōzan, as kamaitachi live in puddles after rain, it is said that there are those who played in puddles and those who cross rivers who encountered kamaitachi.<ref>{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|三好想山}}|editor={{lang|ja|谷川健一他編}}|script-title=ja:日本庶民生活史料集成16|year=1970|publisher={{lang|ja|三一書房}}|volume={{lang|ja|第16巻}}|isbn=978-4-380-70504-5|pages=41–45|script-chapter=ja:想山著聞奇集}}</ref>
In the [[Edo period]], in the essay "Sōzan Chomon Kishū ({{lang|ja|想山著聞奇集}})" by [[Miyoshi Shōzan]], a feudal warrior of Owari, it is said that the wounds from a kamaitachi does not result in pain or bleeding at first, but afterwards causes intense pain and great amounts of bleeding, so much that sometimes even the bones can be seen from the wound opening, and there is even a risk of death. Since these wounds are often received on the lower part of the body, it also states that a kamaitachi cannot jump higher than about 1 shaku (about 30 centimeters). Also according to Miyoshi Shōzan, as kamaitachi live in puddles after rain, it is said that there are those who played in puddles and those who cross rivers who encountered kamaitachi.<ref>{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|三好想山}}|editor={{lang|ja|谷川健一他編}}|script-title=ja:日本庶民生活史料集成16|year=1970|publisher={{lang|ja|三一書房}}|volume={{lang|ja|第16巻}}|isbn=978-4-380-70504-5|pages=41–45|script-chapter=ja:想山著聞奇集}}</ref>


In the [[Hokuriku region]], according to the collection of fantastic stories, the [[Hokuetsu Kidan]], a kamaitachi is a wound resulting from touching the blade of a dreadful god.<ref name="youkaijiten"/>
In the [[Hokuriku region]], according to the collection of fantastic stories, the [[Hokuetsu Kidan]], a kamaitachi is a wound resulting from touching the blade of a dreadful god.<ref name="youkaijiten"/>


According to the [[Kokon Hyaku Monogatari Hyōban]] from the Edo period, there is the statement "the people of the capital, or people of the name of a samurai, encounter this calamity and pass away ({{lang|ja|都がたの人または名字なる侍にはこの災ひなく候).}}"{{CN|date=March 2018}} If one encounters a kamaitachi, since there are medics who are familiar with this, they would rub some medicine on it healing it, so one would never die from it. In the northern parts of the country, it is cold in the shadows, weakening things. As it is cold in the northern parts of the country, cold wind blasts gather around, and the air is intensely cold. Borrowing this, they are said to be the deed of chimi in mountains and valleys. It is said that the reason why people don't receive this wound in the capital is because of the principle that malice does not win against true spirit.
In the [[Kokon Hyaku Monogatari Hyōban]] from the Edo period, it states: "people of the capital and those of true samurai families are not affected by this evil ({{lang|ja|都がたの人または名字なる侍にはこの災ひなく候).}}"{{CN|date=March 2018}} If one encounters a kamaitachi, since there are medics who are familiar with this, they would rub some medicine on the wound, healing it so one would never die from it. In the northern parts of the country, it is cold in the shadows, weakening things. As it is cold in the northern parts of the country, cold wind blasts gather around, and the air is intensely cold. Borrowing this, these wounds are said to be caused by ''chimi'' (魑魅 "mountain demons") in mountains and valleys. It is said that the reason why people from the capital and samurai don't receive this wound is because of the principle that malice does not win against true spirit.


==Similar legends==
==Similar legends==
In the [[Musashi Province|Musashi region]] and [[Kanagawa Prefecture]], they are called "'''kamakaze'''" ({{lang|ja|鎌風}}, sickle wind), and in the [[Shizuoka Prefecture]] they are called "'''akuzen-kaze'''".
In the [[Musashi Province|Musashi region]] and [[Kanagawa Prefecture]], they are called ''kamakaze'' ({{lang|ja|鎌風}}, "sickle wind"), and in [[Shizuoka Prefecture]] they are called ''akuzen-kaze'' ({{lang|ja|悪旋風}}, "evil whirlwind").


Also, they are of a somewhat different nature, but there are also things called "'''taiba-kaze'''" ({{lang|ja|堤馬風}}). There are also regions where there are legends where devilish winds would inflict fatal wounds on humans.
Also, they are of a somewhat different nature, but there are also things called ''taiba-kaze'' ({{lang|ja|堤馬風}}, "style wind"). There are also regions where there are legends where devilish winds inflict fatal wounds on humans.


In the [[Toyoura District, Yamaguchi|Toyoura District]], [[Yamaguchi Prefecture]], called "'''yama misaki'''", as it is a strange phenomenon that appears deep in the mountains, there is a demonic wind taking on the shape of a human's severed head and flying above fallen lives like a wheel. It is said that humans who encounter this wind would get a big fever and in Ainoshima, [[Hagi, Yamaguchi|Hagi]], its true identity is said to be ghosts that have no place to go after death and have become wind that wanders around. In the village of [[Rokutō, Yamaguchi|Rokutō]], [[Abu District, Yamaguchi|Abu District]], [[Yamaguchi Prefecture]], it is said that people who died due to cliffs or shipwrecks would, after eight days after death, become yama-misaki.<ref>{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|桜田勝徳}}|script-title=ja:日本民俗誌大系|year=1976|publisher={{lang|ja|角川書店}}|volume=10|isbn=978-4-04-530310-4|pages=384–385|script-chapter=ja:長門六島村見聞記}}</ref> In the village of Kōchi, [[Hata District, Kōchi|Hata District]], [[Kōchi Prefecture|Kōchi]] (Now [[Shimanto, Kōchi (town)|Shimanto]]), this yama-misaki is called "ryōge,"<ref>{{Cite book|script-title=ja:妖怪事典|page=353|trans-title=Specter encyclopedia}}</ref> and they are considered to be the spirits of those who died through unforeseen accidents, and happening upon one of these is called "ryōge-tsuki" (being possessed by a ryōge).<ref>{{Cite book|script-title=ja:妖怪事典|pages=364–365|trans-title=Specter encyclopedia}}</ref>
In the [[Toyoura District, Yamaguchi|Toyoura District]], [[Yamaguchi Prefecture]], it is called ''yama misaki'' ({{lang|ja|美咲山}}, blossom mountain), as it is a strange phenomenon that appears deep in the mountains. Here there is a demonic wind taking on the shape of a human's severed head and flying above fallen leaves like a wheel. It is said that humans who encounter this wind would get a severe fever. In Ainoshima, [[Hagi, Yamaguchi|Hagi]], its true identity is said to be ghosts that have no place to go after death and have become wind that wanders around. In the village of [[Rokutō, Yamaguchi|Rokutō]], [[Abu District, Yamaguchi|Abu District]], [[Yamaguchi Prefecture]], it is said that people who died due to cliffs or shipwrecks would become ''yama-misaki'' eight days after death.<ref>{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|桜田勝徳}}|script-title=ja:日本民俗誌大系|year=1976|publisher={{lang|ja|角川書店}}|volume=10|isbn=978-4-04-530310-4|pages=384–385|script-chapter=ja:長門六島村見聞記}}</ref> In the village of Kōchi, [[Hata District, Kōchi|Hata District]], [[Kōchi Prefecture|Kōchi]] (now [[Shimanto, Kōchi (town)|Shimanto]]), these yama-misaki are called ''ryōge'' <ref>{{Cite book|script-title=ja:妖怪事典|page=353|trans-title=Specter encyclopedia}}</ref> and they are considered to be the spirits of those who died through unforeseen accidents. Happening upon one of these is called "ryōge-tsuki" (being possessed by a ryōge).<ref>{{Cite book|script-title=ja:妖怪事典|pages=364–365|trans-title=Specter encyclopedia}}</ref>


In [[Amami Ōshima]], it is said that near the time of [[Bon Festival|Obon]], at cemetery roads and other such place, a lukewarm wind would graze by and give one a chill, and when one returns home and tries taking off one's clothing, there would be some kind of speckle on some part of the body. Before long, a high fever comes about and one would need to need to go to a [[yuta (shaman)|yuta]] (a shaman of Okinawa, Kagoshima, or the Amami Islands) to have it exorcized.
In [[Amami Ōshima]], it is said that near the time of [[Bon Festival|Obon]], at cemetery roads and other such places, a lukewarm wind would graze by and give one a chill, and when one returns home and tries taking off one's clothing, there would be some kind of speckle on some part of the body. Before long, a high fever comes about and one would need to go to a [[yuta (shaman)|yuta]] (a shaman of Okinawa, Kagoshima, or the Amami Islands) to have it exorcised.


In the village of Kuroiwa, [[Takaoka District, Kōchi|Takaoka District]], [[Kōchi Prefecture]]) (now [[Ochi, Kōchi|Ochi]]), a devilish wind resembling the aforementioned nogama is called "'''muchi'''" (鞭, "whip"),<ref>{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|民俗学研究所編}}|script-title=ja:綜合日本民俗語彙|edition=Revised|year=1977|publisher={{lang|ja|平凡社}}|volume=4|page=1561}}</ref> but this is said to be a wind that blows on top of a field as if a whip was flung around, and it is said that when one is struck by it, one would fall ill.<ref name="murakami327">{{Cite book|script-title=ja:妖怪事典|page=327|trans-title=Specter encyclopedia}}</ref> In [[Tosayama, Kōchi|Toyosama]], [[Tosa District, Kōchi|Tosa District]] (now [[Kōchi, Kōchi|Kōchi city]]), muchi are said to kill horses and cattle that take along people who travel on roads at night and it is said that one protects against this by covering the eyes of the horses and cattle.<ref name="murakami327" />
In the village of Kuroiwa, [[Takaoka District, Kōchi|Takaoka District]], [[Kōchi Prefecture]]) (now [[Ochi, Kōchi|Ochi]]), a devilish wind resembling the aforementioned nogama is called ''muchi'' (鞭, "whip"),<ref>{{Cite book|author={{lang|ja|民俗学研究所編}}|script-title=ja:綜合日本民俗語彙|edition=Revised|year=1977|publisher={{lang|ja|平凡社}}|volume=4|page=1561}}</ref> but this is said to be a wind that blows on top of a field as if a whip was flung around. It is said that when struck by it, one falls ill.<ref name="murakami327">{{Cite book|script-title=ja:妖怪事典|page=327|trans-title=Specter encyclopedia}}</ref> In [[Tosayama, Kōchi|Toyosama]], [[Tosa District, Kōchi|Tosa District]] (now [[Kōchi, Kōchi|Kōchi city]]), muchi are said to kill horses and cattle that take along people who travel on roads at night. It is said that one protects against this by covering the eyes of the horses and cattle.<ref name="murakami327" />


==See also==
==See also==
⚫
* [[Eikoh Hosoe]] – Japanese photographer and filmmaker who photographed a series of images with dancer [[Tatsumi Hijikata]] as kamaitachi
⚫
* [[Kama (tool)]]
* [[List of legendary creatures from Japan]]
* [[List of legendary creatures from Japan]]
⚫
* [[Ramidreju]] – another species of mythological weasel, from [[Cantabrian mythology]]
⚫
* [[Kama (weapon)]]
* [[Weasel]]
* [[Weasel]]
⚫
* [[Ramidreju]] - another species of mythological weasel, from [[Cantabrian mythology]]
⚫
* [[Eikoh Hosoe]] - Japanese photographer and filmmaker who photographed a series of images with dancer [[Tatsumi Hijikata]] as kamaitachi


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 02:32, 21 December 2023

This article is about the Japanese yōkai. For the punk band, see Kamaitachi (band). For the comedy duo, see Kamaitachi (comedy duo). For the professional wrestler, see Hiromu Takahashi. For the Sepultura/Kodō song, see Against (album).
"Kamaitachi" (窮奇) from the "Gazu Hyakki Yagyō by Toriyama Sekien
"Kamaitachi" (鎌鼬) from the Kyōka Hyaku Monogatari by Masasumi Ryūkansaijin

Kamaitachi (鎌鼬) is a Japanese yōkai from the oral tradition of the Kōshin'etsu region. It can also refer to the strange events that this creature causes.

They appear riding on dust devils and cut people using their sickle-like front claws, delivering sharp, painless wounds. The name is a combination of the words kama (sickle), and itachi (weasel).

Origin[edit]

The name was originally thought to be a corruption of the word kamae tachi ("stance sword"), but like the kyūki in the "Yin" part of Toriyama Sekien's Gazu Hyakki Yagyō, they were thus[how?] re-used and depicted as a weasel yōkai, eventually becoming established as the yōkai it is now.[citation needed] In the "Mimibukuro" by Negishi Shizumori as well, children in the estate called Kagaya in Edo were enveloped by a whirlwind. Footsteps of a beast remained on the surface of their backs and it was written that this was the proof of a kamae tachi (構太刀).[1] As a beast with fur like that of a hedgehog and a cry like that of a dog which flies through the air with wings, they are said to attack people with limbs like that of a sickle or razor.[2]

Legends by area[edit]

Devilish winds that cut people are spoken of in the Chūbu, Kinki, and other regions. There are many similar legends passed down in snowy regions and there are some regions where whirlwinds themselves are called "kamaitachi". On occasions of cold wind and other times, it can happen that one would fall and get an inexplicable leg injury.

In the Shin'etsu region, a kamaitachi is said to be the work of an evil god and there is a folk belief that one would encounter calamity by stepping on a calendar. It is counted among the seven mysteries of Echigo.

In the Tōhoku region, when one receives an injury from a kamaitachi, it is said that by burning an old calendar black and putting it on the wound, this would heal.[3]

In Hida, in the Niu River basin, they are said in legends to be a company of three evil gods. The first god would knock down the person, the next god would cut them with a blade, and the third god would put some medicine on it, which is why there is no bleeding or pain. There are also regions that think of these three gods as a parent, child and brother.

In the Yoshio District area of the Nara Prefecture, it is said that when one gets bit by a kamaitachi invisible to the human eye, one would tumble over; even though no blood comes out, there is a big opening in the flesh.

In the eastern part of Aichi Prefecture, they are also called idzuna (飯綱) and it is said that since an izuna-user once forgot to tell his disciple how to seal an izuna, the runaway izuna would ride on whirlwinds and attack people in order to suck their living blood.[4] It is said that the reason why no blood comes from the wounds from a kamaitachi is because the blood is being sucked away.[5]

In the mountainous regions of Kōchi Prefecture and Tokushima Prefecture among other areas of West Japan, encountering such a strange event is called "being cut by a nogama (野鎌, "wild sickle")" and they are said to be caused by grass-cutting sickles that have been left and forgotten in fields and have ended up turning into yōkai.[6] They are also said to be a sickle's vengeful spirit (onryō) that has turned it into a tsukumogami (a receptacle that has turned into yōkai).[2] In the Iya region, Tokushima Prefecture, it is said that sickles and hoes used for digging the grave for a funeral, if left out for seven days, turn into a nogama, and when one encounters a nogama, it is said that one should chant, "beneath the feet on the bottom-left of Buddha, is the stump of a kurotake [a species of bamboo], and quickly became clean, but let it grow back (hotoke no hidari no shita no omiashi no shita no, kurotake no kirikabu nari, itau wa nakare, hayaku routa ga, haekisaru)."[7]

In East Japan, they are also said to be the work of a mantis or longhorn beetle's ghost.[8] In the town of Katakai, Santō District, Niigata Prefecture, in a place called "Kamakiri-zaka" (鎌切坂 or 蟷螂坂), after a giant mantis that once lived there was crushed to death by heavy snow, it is said that when one falls over on the hill, because of the mantis' curse, one would receive a wound as if one was cut by a sickle, result in one suffering from black blood flowing out.[3][9]

In the western parts of Japan, kamaitachi are called kazakama (風鎌, "wind sickle") and said to slice off people's skins. There is no pain the instant after it is scraped off, but after a while an unbearable pain and bleeding would start to occur. It is said that one could protect against this by obtaining an old calendar in one's hand.[10]

There are tales of encountering these not only outdoors but also indoors. In Edo, there are tales of women who attempted to do their business in a bathroom in Yotsuya and men who attempted put on a geta in Ushigome who encountered kamaitachi.[10] In Ōme, there is a story where a certain woman had her lover stolen by another woman, whom she greatly resented. When she cut her own hair, that hair became a kamaitachi and decapitated her rival with a single stroke.[11] In this way, the legends of the kamaitachi in these various areas represent the same phenomena, but what their true identity is thought to be is not uniform.[3]

Writings in old literature[edit]

In the Edo period, in the essay "Sōzan Chomon Kishū (想山著聞奇集)" by Miyoshi Shōzan, a feudal warrior of Owari, it is said that the wounds from a kamaitachi does not result in pain or bleeding at first, but afterwards causes intense pain and great amounts of bleeding, so much that sometimes even the bones can be seen from the wound opening, and there is even a risk of death. Since these wounds are often received on the lower part of the body, it also states that a kamaitachi cannot jump higher than about 1 shaku (about 30 centimeters). Also according to Miyoshi Shōzan, as kamaitachi live in puddles after rain, it is said that there are those who played in puddles and those who cross rivers who encountered kamaitachi.[12]

In the Hokuriku region, according to the collection of fantastic stories, the Hokuetsu Kidan, a kamaitachi is a wound resulting from touching the blade of a dreadful god.[3]

In the Kokon Hyaku Monogatari Hyōban from the Edo period, it states: "people of the capital and those of true samurai families are not affected by this evil (都がたの人または名字なる侍にはこの災ひなく候)."[citation needed] If one encounters a kamaitachi, since there are medics who are familiar with this, they would rub some medicine on the wound, healing it so one would never die from it. In the northern parts of the country, it is cold in the shadows, weakening things. As it is cold in the northern parts of the country, cold wind blasts gather around, and the air is intensely cold. Borrowing this, these wounds are said to be caused by chimi (魑魅 "mountain demons") in mountains and valleys. It is said that the reason why people from the capital and samurai don't receive this wound is because of the principle that malice does not win against true spirit.

Similar legends[edit]

In the Musashi region and Kanagawa Prefecture, they are called kamakaze (鎌風, "sickle wind"), and in Shizuoka Prefecture they are called akuzen-kaze (悪旋風, "evil whirlwind").

Also, they are of a somewhat different nature, but there are also things called taiba-kaze (堤馬風, "style wind"). There are also regions where there are legends where devilish winds inflict fatal wounds on humans.

In the Toyoura District, Yamaguchi Prefecture, it is called yama misaki (美咲山, blossom mountain), as it is a strange phenomenon that appears deep in the mountains. Here there is a demonic wind taking on the shape of a human's severed head and flying above fallen leaves like a wheel. It is said that humans who encounter this wind would get a severe fever. In Ainoshima, Hagi, its true identity is said to be ghosts that have no place to go after death and have become wind that wanders around. In the village of Rokutō, Abu District, Yamaguchi Prefecture, it is said that people who died due to cliffs or shipwrecks would become yama-misaki eight days after death.[13] In the village of Kōchi, Hata District, Kōchi (now Shimanto), these yama-misaki are called ryōge [14] and they are considered to be the spirits of those who died through unforeseen accidents. Happening upon one of these is called "ryōge-tsuki" (being possessed by a ryōge).[15]

In Amami Ōshima, it is said that near the time of Obon, at cemetery roads and other such places, a lukewarm wind would graze by and give one a chill, and when one returns home and tries taking off one's clothing, there would be some kind of speckle on some part of the body. Before long, a high fever comes about and one would need to go to a yuta (a shaman of Okinawa, Kagoshima, or the Amami Islands) to have it exorcised.

In the village of Kuroiwa, Takaoka District, Kōchi Prefecture) (now Ochi), a devilish wind resembling the aforementioned nogama is called muchi (鞭, "whip"),[16] but this is said to be a wind that blows on top of a field as if a whip was flung around. It is said that when struck by it, one falls ill.[17] In Toyosama, Tosa District (now Kōchi city), muchi are said to kill horses and cattle that take along people who travel on roads at night. It is said that one protects against this by covering the eyes of the horses and cattle.[17]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ 千葉幹夫編 (1995). 全国妖怪事典 [National specter encyclopedia]. 小学館ライブラリー. 小学館. p. 65. ISBN 978-4-09-460074-2.
  2. ^ a b 人文社編集部 (2005). 諸国怪談奇談集成 江戸諸国百物語 東日本編. ものしりシリーズ. 人文社. p. 104. ISBN 978-4-7959-1955-6.
  3. ^ a b c d 村上健司編著 (2000). 妖怪事典 [Specter encyclopedia]. 毎日新聞社. p. 115. ISBN 978-4-620-31428-0.
  4. ^ 早川孝太郎 (1974). 小県郡民譚集. 日本民俗誌大系. Vol. 第5巻. 角川書店. p. 91. ISBN 978-4-04-530305-0.
  5. ^ 多田克己 (1990). 幻想世界の住人たち IV 日本編. Truth in fantasy. 新紀元社. pp. 212–213. ISBN 978-4-915146-44-2.
  6. ^ 京極夏彦・多田克己編著 (2000). 妖怪図巻. 国書刊行会. pp. 181–182. ISBN 978-4-336-04187-6.
  7. ^ 妖怪事典 [Specter encyclopedia]. p. 263.
  8. ^ 京極夏彦・多田克己編著 (2008). 妖怪画本 狂歌百物語. 国書刊行会. p. 294. ISBN 978-4-3360-5055-7.
  9. ^ 今野円輔編著 (1981). 日本怪談集 妖怪篇. 現代教養文庫. 社会思想社. p. 24. ISBN 978-4-390-11055-6.
  10. ^ a b 千葉幹夫 (1991). 妖怪お化け雑学事典. 講談社. pp. 52–53. ISBN 978-4-06-205172-9.
  11. ^ 山口敏太郎 (2002). 江戸武蔵野妖怪図鑑. けやき出版. p. 81. ISBN 978-4-87751-168-5.
  12. ^ 三好想山 (1970). 想山著聞奇集. In 谷川健一他編 (ed.). 日本庶民生活史料集成16. Vol. 第16巻. 三一書房. pp. 41–45. ISBN 978-4-380-70504-5.
  13. ^ 桜田勝徳 (1976). 長門六島村見聞記. 日本民俗誌大系. Vol. 10. 角川書店. pp. 384–385. ISBN 978-4-04-530310-4.
  14. ^ 妖怪事典 [Specter encyclopedia]. p. 353.
  15. ^ 妖怪事典 [Specter encyclopedia]. pp. 364–365.
  16. ^ 民俗学研究所編 (1977). 綜合日本民俗語彙. Vol. 4 (Revised ed.). 平凡社. p. 1561.
  17. ^ a b 妖怪事典 [Specter encyclopedia]. p. 327.
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