Ok now I bet you all are thinking what the heck is Tsuchinoko… Is it some kind of exotic mushrrom, or maybe a Japanese delicacy, and both of those guesses would be wrong.  Scotland has the Loch Ness Monster, Nepal has the Yeti, and the beloved Bigfoot roams many places in America..

But something that is Uniquely Japan is their own Cryptid, and yes you guessed it… It’s name is Tsuchinoko (su-chi-noko).

Now I bet your thinking, where in the world could a cryptid hide among all of those tall buildings and paved streets, and the hustle and bustle of 1000’s of people on the streets at all hours of the day.

Well believe it or not, Japan has tons of mountainous country, deep water lakes and otherwise sparsely populated areas in the central parts.  When Japan was developed most of it was concentrated on the coastal regions for it’s food supply.  In fact about 90% of the population occupies about 10% of the land… Whew!

This is coming from a country that is roughly the size of California with a population a little under 50% of the entire United States.  So the question I put forth is, Could there be a new species awaiting discovery that inhabits the deep mountainous forests of this island nation?

tsuchinoko

Tsuchinoko

The Tsuchinoko is the most famous of the Japanese reported cryptids, and appears to be a snake that is about 2-3 feet in length and is a black to rust color, it’s scales are said to be large and prominent, with a mouth that resembles a grin, and horns or ears above the eyes are often mentioned..  It is said to inhabit the remote mountains of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu islands as well as the Korean peninsula.

One of the strangest characteristics of the Tsuchinoko is its appearance, specifically the shape of it’s body, which is flat, bulging and rounded in the middle, and tapering off to a short tail. Some people describe the body as being triangular in the middle rather than round.  It is said that the Tsuchinoko is highly poisonous, with the ability to spit venom a long distance,  although it is peaceful and more likely to run away than attack.  Another strange trait is that they are reported to have a particular odor like chestnut tree flowers. 

Well at least it will smell pleasantly as the poison splatters your eyeballs.   It is said to travel in straight lines similar to an inch worm with its back coming up in the middle and then straightening out again.  It is also said that the Tsuchinoko can make large leaps from the ground into the air.

Tsuchinoko2

Tsuchinoko

Tsuchinoko is reported to have a incredibly wide range of vocalizations. It make chirping noises, snores, grunts, groans, moans, squeaks, and to even mimic a  human voice.  Old legends claim it could actually converse with people.  In fact, the tsuchinoko was mostly portrayed in folklore as being harmless to humans (despite its poisonous nature) but it was known for telling lies and trying to confuse travelers. The only true way to overcome them was to get them drunk on alcohol, which legends say they have a great fondness for.

The Tsuchinoko’s image has been found on ancient Japanese pottery dating back to 712, and is always portrayed in Japanese culture as a cute cuddly figure and not something to be afraid of.

Sightings continue to this day, and it makes one want to think that there might be some truth to the story.  As far as the many stories that surround the creature, I think that tales grow with the years and get more and more extravagant.  Although the possibility of a new species of snake in Japan…. Very possible.

Happy Halloween to all of my readers, have a safe one and take care.

1. 

   Liara Covert says:

   November 2, 2008 at 1:47 am

   This is an amazing creature. It even appears to have unique eyes and body shape that have adapted to suit its environment. You have a way with choosing topics that expand the horizons of your readers. This creature teaches people many more species exist that they even begin to have seen or read about. Thanks for expanding our horizons.
2. 

   k74v78 says:

   November 18, 2009 at 6:28 pm

   Your Tsuchinoko | Charles Hamel.com was really what I’ve been searching for. THanx!
3. 

   Charles Hamel says:

   November 22, 2009 at 7:27 am

   Thanks k74v78