Bake-kujira
 | You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Japanese. (May 2018) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
The Bake-kujira (Japanese: 化鯨, ghost whale) is a mythical Japanese yōkai (ghost, phantom, or strange apparition) from western Japan. It is described as being a skeleton whale that takes its revenge against people who hunt whales or eat whale meat.[1][2]
Legends
In one story, a fisherman tries to catch it with his harpoon but the harpoon sailed right through it and the Bake-kujira floated away. In other stories people say that the Bake-kujira brings a curse and general misfortune to the area where it is spotted.
In popular culture
- Bake-kujira was featured in the SMITE MOBA as of his December 2023 announcement.
References
- ^ Bane, Theresa (2016-03-09). Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. McFarland. p. 29. ISBN 978-1-4766-2339-9.
- ^ Roberts, Jeremy (2010). Japanese mythology A to Z. Mythology A to Z (2nd ed.). New York: Chelsea House Publishers. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-60413-435-3.
External links
- Bakekujira and Japan's Whale Cults at hyakumonogatari.com (English).