If you cry, a "mokko" comes! ? We've been pursuing the mystery of trauma among children in Tsugaru [Aomori Prefecture]

"If you cry, Mokko will come from the mountain."

This phrase has been used for a long time, mainly in the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture, and is said to be a ``discipline'' today, if you talk to people from Aomori Prefecture, there is a fairly high chance that they will say, ``When I was little, my parents threatened me with the story of Mokko...''

a lullaby featuring "Mocco" has been handed down in the area around the former Kizuku Town (now Tsugaru City) in Aomori Prefecture

Although there are some differences between "moko," "mocco," and "moco," it seems to be a common presence in northern Akita Prefecture and some parts of Iwate Prefecture. But what exactly is a mokko?

A ghost? A monster? Or something else...?

This time, we will explore the history and folklore of Tsugaru while introducing various theories about this mysterious existence known as "Mocco"

Mocco = Mongolian (Mouko) theory

Many people may think "Could it be?" when they hear the sound, and one of the most commonly discussed theories "mocco" may be the same as "Mongol (Mouko).

Furthermore, this theory that Mocco means Mongolia (Mouko) branches into two further theories.

Oral legends of refugees from Tsushima and Iki during the Mongol invasions

During the Kamakura period, the Yuan Dynasty (Mongol Empire) invaded Japan twice, in 1274 (Bun'ei War) and 1281 (Kōan War)

the Mongol Invasions , this was a major incident that is taught in Japanese history classes. At the time, Tsushima and Iki, which are now part of Nagasaki Prefecture, were remote islands and therefore became the front line of defense, with villages being burned and many residents massacred.

Furthermore, there are many families in the Tsugaru region that bear the surname "Tsushima," and it is said that "people from Tsushima who fled the damage caused by the Mongol invasions drifted north and eventually settled in Tsugaru."

• Reference: Surname Origin Net – Origin and Distribution of Tsushima-san
• Reference: Surname Origin Net – Origin and Distribution of Tsushima-san

the hypothesis is that the "terror of the Mongol army" told by refugees who arrived in Tsugaru from Tsushima was eventually passed down as a "mountain monster that kidnaps crying children," "Mocco ."

Oral legends from refugees of the Yuan (Mongol Empire) invasion of Sakhalin

The Yuan Dynasty (Mongol Empire) also sent troops north in the late 13th century

that from 1284, after the second invasion of Japan, the Koan War (1281), there were invasions of Sakhalin

The second theory is that, due to the possibility that this expedition drove the Ainu people of Sakhalin from their land and sent them fleeing to Hokkaido and even Honshu, the " terror of army of took root in the region in the form of "mokko."

Although compelling, there is no clear evidence for either theory

There is no clear evidence for either theory, so it is merely speculation, but they do have a certain degree of persuasiveness

Perhaps both are true, and refugees came from the south, but a few years later they also came from the north

It is possible that this was intended to stir up fear among the people of Tsugaru, making them wonder, "Just how terrifying is the Mongol army, which is wreaking havoc both in the north and south?"

the "mokko" that is deeply engraved in the hearts of the people of Tsugaru is the driving force behind the story being passed down without fading even now, hundreds of years later.

There are various other theories

There are many other theories about the origin of the mokko. However, please note that not all of them are merely speculations.

The spiritual existence of mountains

ancient times in Japan, it has been believed that "gods and spirits reside in mountains," can be thought to be influenced by such nature worship

Onomatopoeia and emotional expression theory

the word "mocco" itself does not have a meaning, but to sound frightening a "discipline word" that would frighten children with just the sound it produced .

Ainu language and northern origin theory

"mokko" may have been corrupted from a northern language, such as the Ainu language . There are areas in the Tsugaru region that are said to have had contact with Ainu culture since ancient times, and it cannot be denied that some aspect of that culture may have influenced the legend.

The theory that it symbolizes a punisher like "Namahage"

There is also a theory that there may have been a being called "Mocco" who acted as an "educator" in a custom that was passed down in a certain region or village in Tsugaru, similar to the "Oga Namahage" of Akita

Tohoku Rokken Trivia Media NEFT

Why do Nama balds take knives to tempt people - Oga Peninsula and the Legend of the Demon (1) [Akita Prefecture]

https://jp.neft.asia/archives/34981

When you hear the word Oga, the first thing that comes to mind is Namahage. Every year on New Year's Eve, demon-like people wearing masks with scary faces and costumes made of straw visit people's homes shouting, ``No lazy people, no crying children!'' In his hands, he holds a Deba knife and a bucket. Namahage descends to the village from Mt. Kamiyama to pray for the villagers not to be lazy in the winter and for good health and a good harvest in the new year (at the Namahage Chaito Festival) ©Akita PrefectureThe Namahage is scary at first glance, but... In fact, we are trying to punish the lazy people who spend all their time at the kotatsu and the irori hearth during the winter agricultural off-season, so that they will not get sick.

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summary

The Tsugaru region is located on the Sea of ​​Japan side of Aomori Prefecture, and is a region where trade using the sea flourished in exchange for the abundant products of the Tsugaru Plain. It is possible that a creature like the "mokko," a mixture of various memories, was born as diverse cultures from the north and south came and went

In the end, we were unable to determine the true identity of Mocco, but through various theories, we can see that

"Mocco" is a symbol of "fear" and "warning" that remains in the region

That's what it means

If you are traveling through Tsugaru and suddenly hear the words "Mokko is coming..."

Aoiwa

Traveling around the Tohoku region, I enjoy drinking delicious sake and exploring the local history, traditions, and customs. I write articles based on my interests. I'm currently interested in folk performing arts, local toys, and folk beliefs.