Japanese Legend Collection

(ii) Human-Serpent Legend

(A) Akamatsu-ga-Ike Pond

A long time ago, when a samurai's daughter from Matsue, Izumo Province, made a pilgrimage to Mt. Oyama, she fell in love at first sight with a young monk in a hut, and on her way home, perhaps because of her mischievous womanhood, she got off the palanquin by Akamatsu-ga-Ike Pond and immediately threw herself into the pond after admiring the surrounding scenery. Surprised, the palanquin bearers searched for her but found no body. Then, before long, the body of the white god came up. When the bearers tried to pull it up, it sank again and became invisible. They were so amazed at the strangeness that in a moment the sky darkened, and a great wave rose over the pond. Then, from among the white waves, a terrible giant serpent appeared and rose into the sky, forming clouds.

mischievous（形）害を及ぼす

womanhood（名）女らしさ

palanquin（名）駕籠

bearer（名）運ぶ人、担ぐ人

The young monk in the hut is said to have gone missing since then.

Note: In Izumo, it is said that the Seven Valleys and Yonman-hakko* must be there for a snake to ride a cloud, become a dragon, and ascend to the heavens. Snakes are called Jatai here. There is also a story of Jatai turning into a woman, having sex with a human being and having a child, and later giving three beads when she left her husband and telling her to lick them when his child cried. (Hyozo Shimizu)

(B) Haruna Lakeside

An old woman who had lived several generations before at Zendo Temple in Hara Town, Azuma County, Gunma, wanted to visit Haruna Shrine at any cost, and the family called a palanquin for her. When we reached the side of Lake Haruna, the palanquin bearers took a rest. Everyone has always been accustomed to taking a short break here and taking in the great views, so it seems they were the ones who took advantage. Then she said she would wash her hands and went to the lake and sank deeper and deeper. When the bearers called her in surprise, she didn't reply. In sight, she disappeared. Then, before long, a big serpent appeared and said, "I will not go back to the temple because I have already become like this.".

Even now, every year, on the day it happens, the temple sends a person to put the festive red rice* in a container and float it in the swamp. (Kuntaro Imaisumi in Ohta, Gunma Prefecture)

(A)

*Yonman-hakko: Unknown

(B)

*festive red rice: Steamed glutinous rice mixed with azuki beans. It is used as a meal on the day of a festival or ceremony.