When you think about Japan, you probably imagine the bustling streets of Tokyo, sushi, and modern technology. However, Japan also has a storied history that spans thousands of years. Much of this history took place in the mountains, valleys, and dense forests of the Japanese countryside. This is where the story of the Tsuchinoko Yokai began.
The fact is that Japan is a country where ninety percent of the population occupies ten percent of the land area. As a result, many scientists believe that the uninhabited forests and mountainous regions of Japan may contain undiscovered species. According to legend, one such species is the Tsuchinoko. While some treat it as a myth, others treat it as a real animal that moves about in Japan’s most untouched regions.
In the Kojiki, a 1,200-year-old book that chronicles the ancient myths and legends of Japan, we can find some glimpses of the Tsuchinoko. As told by the Kojiki, Tsuchinoko — sometimes known as the Tsuchinoko Yokai or “Snake Yōkai” — inhabits the deep, isolated mountains and forests of the Shikoku, Honshu, and Kyushu islands, as well as some parts of the Korean peninsula.
According to the myths, Tsuchinoko is a legendary serpent kind of creature that was once found in Japan. It is cryptid with a very thick skin on its middle area that differentiates it from snake. The literal meaning of Tsuchinoko is snake or child of dirt also referred as “child of hammer”. This recognition is due the very dark colour of its body.
In terms of size, length of a Tsuchinoko is somewhere between 11 to 32 inches which is around 30 – 80 cms. Tsuchinoko resembles snakes there’s are 2 differences, one is the extra chunk of skin it has around the centre (starts rom neck and goes till end of stomach) and the other is the length. Although even snakes differs in sizes.
This formidable creature has the ability to take its tail into its mouth thus forming a hoop, so when it’s pursuing ᴘʀᴇʏ, especially down a hill, it can propel itself at breakneck speed and the object of its chase has no chance of ᴇsᴄᴀᴘᴇ. Mythology lovers will recognise that this characteristic of the tsuchinko to look as if it’s eating its own tail is pretty similar to the ouroboros, the hooped serpent or dragon that first appeared in Egyptian legend.
Some years ago, an unusual re ptile was discovered in Mikata a town located in Mikata District, Hyōgo, Japan. Its peculiar appearance brought the legend of Tsuchinoko alive again.
Since no one has ever found a real Tsuchinoko, it was difficult to determine if the unknown reptile was the same legendary snake mentioned in ancient Japanese tales. However, according to local government official Toshikazu Miyawaki, the animal found in Mikita might have been the Tsuchinoko. Its body was very thick and short. Several people also heard its squeak.
One should not dismiss the possibility Tsuchinoko is a new species awaiting discovery. However, currently, it is still classified as a Yokai (“Yōkai”), a mysterious, supernatural creature mentioned in Japanese mythology.
