[JapanUrbanLegend] Tsuchinoko

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Tsuchinoko is one of Japan's most famous unidentified creatures (UMA), often described as a stout, snake-like being. The name comes from dialects in Kyoto, Nara, and Mie, and is thought to be derived from its resemblance to a mallet.

Tsuchinoko possesses several unique characteristics. Unlike ordinary snakes, it has a swollen midsection, eyelids, and can leap over two meters high; some accounts claim it can jump as far as ten meters. It is said to make a sound like "chi (チ)" and has a preference for Japanese sake. The teeth of females are notably crooked, and their movement is peculiar, often described as curling up and rolling or bending to jump.

References to Tsuchinoko can be found in ancient texts. In 1712, it was referred to as "Yatsuchi Snake (野槌蛇)" in the work "Wakan Sansai Zue." In 1834, more detailed descriptions appeared in "Shinano Kisōroku" by Ide Dosei. Mentions of this creature also exist in Japan's ancient chronicles, "Kojiki" and "Nihon Shoki."

In modern times, a sighting in 1959 by writer Yamamoto Soseki near the Kamo River sparked significant interest. The creature gained further popularity in 1972 through a serialized novel by Tanabe Seiko, and in 1973, manga artist Yaguchi Takao published a comic on the subject, boosting Tsuchinoko's fame.

Today, various studies and investigations into Tsuchinoko are ongoing throughout Japan. In Kamo, Gifu Prefecture, there is a Tsuchinoko museum, and an annual "Tsuchinoko Festa" is held, featuring events aimed at capturing the creature. A reward is offered for its capture, attracting many enthusiasts.

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