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As it's #folklorethursday I'd like introduce one of my favourite monsters, the Nue (鵺), who was killed close to my house.
At the time of the incident this area belonged to the Kunaisho (宮内省-Department of the Imperial Household) within the Dairi (内裏-the Greater Palace).
At the time of the incident this area belonged to the Kunaisho (宮内省-Department of the Imperial Household) within the Dairi (内裏-the Greater Palace).
The Nue (鵺) first appears in stories from the early Kamakura period. The Heike Monogatari (平家物語) describes the creature as having the face of a monkey, the legs of a tiger, a Tanuki's (or tiger's) body & a snake for a tail (including spitting head).
#Kyoto #Japan #nue #鵺
#Kyoto #Japan #nue #鵺
It so happened that one night, during the reign of Emperor Nijo (二条天皇 1143-65), black smoke engulfed the Seiryo-den (清涼殿-the Residence of the Emperor) at the Hour of the Ox (2am). A strange cry, like the call of the Scaly Thrush, filled the palace rooms.
#Japan #Kyoto #鵺
#Japan #Kyoto #鵺
When day broke it was discovered that Emperor Nijo* had fallen deathly ill. Neither prayers nor medicine could wake him. Linking his sickness to the strange events, a record was uncovered of Minamoto-no-Yoshiie (源義家 1039-1106) slaying a creature with a similar voice.
#京都
#京都
*There are many different versions of the story of the Nue. Taking place some time between the reigns of Emperor Konoe & Takakura, each tale describes the Nue's appearance in slightly different ways.
The final resting place of the Nue remains hotly contested to this day.
#Kyoto
The final resting place of the Nue remains hotly contested to this day.
#Kyoto
Minamoto-no-Yorimasa (源頼政 1106-80), a master archer & descendant of Yoshiie, was called upon to kill the monster should it return. Yorimasa arrived with his right hand man Ino Hayata (猪早太) & an arrow that had belonged to his ancestor Yorimitsu (源頼光).
#FolkloreThursday
#FolkloreThursday
Secreting themselves in the forest at Higashi Sanjo, the pair waited until the Hour of the Ox. Sure enough, a dark cloud soon extinguished the moon. Without waiting Yorimasa called upon the god Hachiman (protector of the Minamoto) for help & shot into the heart of the smoke.
