Traditions and customs

Meduts pulls the horse into the river

A creature similar to, yet different from, the Kappa? What is the terrifying water spirit "Medotsu" from Hachinohe? [Aomori Prefecture]

In some areas of Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, there has been a long-standing legend about a creepy yokai (supernatural creature) called "Medotsu" or "Medochi."

While it resembles the "kappa" known throughout Japan , its nature is said to be more ferocious, and it is believed to have the terrifying ability to transform into humans. It is deeply intertwined with local water-related beliefs and safety awareness

This article will provide a detailed explanation of its true nature, origins, and the traces that remain to this day

What is Medots? Its terrifying appearance and abilities

A medots (image) poking its head out of the river to search for prey
A medots (image) poking its head out of the river to search for prey

"Medotsu" is a yokai (supernatural creature) that is said to be found mainly in Shirinai-cho, Hachinohe City. It appears as a small, black child with a monkey-like face, but sometimes it is said to appear as a young girl.

They mainly appear near bodies of water such as riverbanks and irrigation canals, and are said to drag people into the water and cause drowning, making them a creature directly linked to water-related accidents

It is said to be even more vicious than a kappa, and there are legends that if a Medotsu targets you, it will transform into a relative or friend of that person and try to drag you into the river

In "Tani no Hibiki," a book written by Hirao Rusen, a local samurai of the Tsugaru Hirosaki Domain, there is a description of a "medotsu" that haunted the Wakato-machi area of ​​the Tsugaru Domain (present-day Hirosaki City) . The book recounts a terrifying story in which , when a child was rescued from drowning in the river, a medotsu measuring 1.5 to 1.7 feet (about 50 cm) jumped out of its anus and fled back into the river

The legend behind Hidari Jingoro and Kushibiki Hachiman Shrine

Kushibiki Hachiman Shrine (Hachinohe City)
Kushibiki Hachiman Shrine (Hachinohe City)

There is an anecdote about "Medotsu" that involves Hidari Jingoro, a legendary Edo-period sculptor who is well-known throughout Japan . This story dates back to the construction of the famous Kushihiki Hachimangu Shrine in Hachinohe City

It is said that when Jingoro threw the wood scraps and wooden puppets (mechanical dolls) that were no longer needed during the construction work into the river, the wood scraps asked Jingoro, "What should I eat now?" to which Jingoro retorted with an insult, "Eat a butt."

Then, a soul inhabited the wood shavings, and they transformed into a monster in the river. This monster became known as "Medotsu," which attacks people

Furthermore, it is said that, through the villagers' prayers, Hachiman sent a hawk, a messenger of the gods, to peck at Medotsu's head, resulting in its head becoming bald and indented

However, it is said that Hachiman, taking pity on Meduts who would starve to death if he didn't attack people, "allowed him to attack one person and one horse only between the 1st and 16th of the 7th month of the lunar calendar ."

This legend is also preserved in the carvings of the main hall of Kushihiki Hachimangu Shrine, which are said to depict a " medotsu being held down by a hawk ."

"Beware of the medulla!" Medulla featured on a sign raising awareness about preventing water accidents

A sign in Hachinohe City that reads "Medotsu (a type of sea creature) will appear" (Collection of Hachinohe City Museum)
A sign in Hachinohe City that reads "Medotsu (a type of sea creature) will appear" (Collection of Hachinohe City Museum)

This legend is not just a folktale; around 1976, signs reading "Medotsu are here!" were actually erected in the local area to prevent accidents of people falling into irrigation canals

The sign, "Danger! Stay away, do not approach, there will be drowning,"suggesting an intention to prevent drowning accidents among children, albeit with a touch of humor.

This sign was later donated to the Hachinohe City Museum and was even displayed in the special exhibition "Kappa Exhibition" in 2016, and is still cherished as a part of the local culture today

The "evidence" that actually remains in place names and the spread of legends

In a part of Shirinai-cho, Hachinohe City"Medotsugawara"still remains, showing that the legend did not end as mere folklore but became deeply rooted in the local geographical sense and way of life.

Furthermore, there is a theory that the roots of the kappa and zashiki-warashi of Tono actually lie in "Medotsu" in Hachinohe, making it a good example of the spread and transformation of yokai culture

This can be considered extremely valuable regional folklore material for understanding the continuity of yokai (supernatural creature) legends in the Tohoku region

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summary

"Medotsu," a mythical creature passed down through generations in Hachinohe, has transformed over time into a culmination of local wisdom aimed at preventing water-related accidents and promoting safety

"Medzu" continues to thrive as a local cultural heritage, even being passed down through generations as a landmark

If you ever visit Hachinohe, why not try to trace the vestiges of this mysterious monster while touring Kushibiki Hachiman Shrine and the museum?

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