YOKAI OF THE WEEK: Uwabami

A giant snake capable of swallowing a man on horsback whole. One was slain by Egara no Heita was a military hero of the Kamakura period (1185-1333). While on a hunt with Minamoto no Yoriie Egara no Heita slew a huge snake deep in a mountain cave. His exploits are portrayed in Noh theater. This was said to have happened in June 1207.

Another hero Yamato Take is credited with slaying a giant smake in Omi.

Mt. Tsurugi, is the second highest peak on the island of Shikoku, is steeped in mystery. According to one local legend, the mountain is actually a giant man-made pyramid, and another legend says that a hoard of King Solomon’s secret treasure lies buried within. A giant snake believed to be guarding that treasure has been sighted on many occasions.

In May 1973, a group of 4 forestry workers reportedly encountered a 10 meter (33 ft) long snake as big around as a telephone pole. The creature was described as having shiny black scales, and it reportedly made a loud chirping sound. Local officials organized a large-scale hunt for the snake, enlisting the help of hundreds of volunteers. The serpent remained elusive, but the searchers did find what appeared to be giant snake tracks that measured 40 centimeters (16 in) wide and passed alongside fallen trees.

A local history museum has in its collection a large jawbone measuring 34 centimeters (13 in) across, which many believe belongs to the giant snake. The author has seen a photograph of the jaws and they clearly belong to a shark

No snakes of this size exist in Japan but on mainland Asia pythons of huge size exist. It is possible that one of these great snakes was imported into Japan and is the basis for this legend. We know that the Tower of London menagerie kept all kinds of exotic animals many centuries ago. Indeed on English dragon legend, the dragon of Wormingford / Bures, seems to have been based on the escape of a crocodile from the collection.

As Japan is much closer to China than England is to Africa the idea of a python being imported then escaping form captivity is not too far fetched.