Basic informaiton
Alternative names: yamakagachi, ja, [7] senja [2]
Translation: Uwabami can be translated as 'python' [10] or 'boa constrictor.' [13]
Origin: Japanese Legend
About Uwabami
Sometimes the word 'uwabami' is used in a singular context as a proper noun, usually in reference to Heita's Uwabami. [4] However, uwabami, as a term, is more often used to describe a giant serpent [1] or giant python [11,14] in the legends of Japan. In other instances, the term simply means python [10] or boa constrictor. [13] In all cases, uwabami refers to a snake of large size. [7]
According to the Shosan chomon kishu, serpents of every size were considered a part of the dragon species in Japanese myth. The uwabami could ascend into the sky, [2] or even fly through the air, with or without wings. [9] They sometimes swoop down and surprise wayfarers [6,9] or capture prey from above. [9]
These elusive beasts conceal themselves by hiding in the mountains or in the water. [7] Due to their great size, many have seen an uwabami in the countryside and wilderness, [10] though sightings were rare. [7] Their spectacular size has inspired many stories, [10] and whenever one is caught, much money can be earned by displaying it. [7] In many tales of the uwabami, the serpent is very predatory toward humans, [9] but stories also claim that they gobbled up stags, bears, [1] and both horse and rider in a single gulp. [8,9]
Uwabami had power over the wind and rain, [2] and some were worshipped as deities of fertility and water. [3] Though uwabami can be found in the traditions of Japan, [9] some of the stories may be relics of traditions from the cultures of China and Korea. [1]
Artwork Featuring the Uwabami
There are several pieces of art that feature uwabami.
In the nineteenth century, Minamoto no Oko painted a series of hand scrolls entitled the Seven Calamities, the first of which was the uwabami. [12] The scroll depicts the uwabami rearing up and terrifying nearby travelers, while those farther off spot the gigantic serpent from its hiding place. [1]
Utagawa Kuniyoshi created a piece (circa 1839-1841) depicting Heita Tanenaga, Izumi Kojiro Chikahira, and Wada Kojiro Yoshishige battling a giant python. [11,14]
Katsukawa Shuntei created a woodblock print (circa 1806-1807) of Heita Tanenaga slaying the giant uwabami. [15]
Encounters with Uwabami
The most famous uwabami was Yamata-no-orochi because the Kojiki and Nishonshoki both describe him as the eight-headed serpent slain by Susanoo. [3]
Another uwabami plagued the province of Settsu. [15] It was so larger that it would swallow riders on horseback. [10] Heita Tanenaga fought the monster and slew it by a waterfall. [15]
Three heroes battled an uwabami while on a hunt. The beast swallowed Heita Tanenaga, who then cut himself out of its belly while Izumi Kojiro Chikahira and Wada Kojiro Yoshishige controlled him. [11,14]
Physical Description
Uwabami are huge snakes, larger than any tree, [5] or whose girth exceeds that of a forest tree. [1] Sometimes they have wings but often do not. [6,9]
Known Uwabamis
Quick Facts
- Uwabami appear in many traditional sources of Japanese mythology, including the Shosan chomon kishu, Kojiki, and Nishonshoki. [2,3]
- They are sometimes referred to as ja (meaning 'dragon'), [7] senja, [2] or yamakagachi. [7]
- Artists such as Katsukawa Shuntei, [15] Minamoto no Oko, [12] and Utagawa Kuniyoshi have created pieces that depict uwabami. [11,14]
Related Articles
Footnotes
- Anderson [Paintings] 444
- De Visser 223
- Hiroyuki 364
- Joly [Legend] xli
- Joly [Legend] 383
- Joly [Legend] 384
- Kaempfer 73
- Piggott 97
- Rose [Dragons] 379
- Volker 146
- Warrior triptychs 1839-1841, Part II
- Part of the seven calamities showing giant serpent
- Uwabami - boa constrictor
- Yegara Heita Tanenaga Cuts his Way Out of a Giant Python
- Egara no Heita slaying the giant uwabami or python
For more information on footnotes and references, please see the bibliography.
