The Giant Bird of Mount Yurappudake

Tales from the Yakumo Area

In Saru, there once lived a giant bird, whose wings each measured seven ri (1 ri = approx. 4km). When the bird flew overseas, it would always spend one night on Mount Yurappudake. The bird caused nothing but harm, such as eating people or destroying farmland. The Ainu of Saru could bear no more, and decided to drive the bird out. Two strong youngsters, who were chosen for the task, stabbed the bird with a spear and chased it away. But the angered bird asked the god of “Hoso” for revenge, and its vengeance was wrought on the people of Saru.