Traditions and customs

Meduts pulls the horse into the river

What is "Medots," the terrifying water spirit of Hachinohe? ~A local legend that's a little different from the Kappa~

In some areas of Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, legends of a creepy monster called "Medots" or "Medoch" have been passed down since ancient times. While similar to the nationally known "kappa," Medots are more ferocious in nature and are said to have the terrifying ability to trick people, and are deeply connected to the region's unique beliefs about waterside areas and awareness of safety

In this article, we will introduce in detail its true identity, origins, and even traces that remain to this day, based on historical documents

What is Medots? Its terrifying appearance and abilities

A medotsuka emerges from the river to search for prey

"Medotsu" is a yokai (supernatural creature) that is mainly found in Shirinai-cho, Hachinohe City. It looks like a small, black child with a monkey-like face, but it is said that it sometimes appears in the form of a young girl. It mainly appears near bodies of water such as rivers and irrigation canals, and is said to drag people into the water and drown them, making it a being directly associated with water-related accidents.

It is said to be even more vicious than a kappa, and there is a legend that it will take the form of a relative or friend of the person possessed by a Medots and attack again

A similar account of this legend appears in the Tsugaru Hirosaki Domain record, "Vibbits of the Valley," which tells a terrifying tale of something flying out of the anus of a drowned body ("Vibbits of the Valley" / held at Hirosaki Library)

The legend behind Hidari Jingoro and Kushibiki Hachiman Shrine

Kushibiki Hachiman Shrine

There is also an anecdote about Medots involving the nationally renowned Edo period sculptor Hidari Jingoro, which dates back to the time of the construction of the famous Kushibiki Hachiman Shrine in Hachinohe City

When Jingoro threw scraps of wood and puppets (karakuri dolls) that were no longer needed during the construction work into the river, he is said to have shouted, "Take my ass!" A soul then took up residence in the scraps of wood, and they transformed into a monster in the river. This became "Medots."

Furthermore, it is said that in response to the prayers of the villagers, Hachiman sent a hawk, his messenger, to attack Medtsu's head, causing it to cave in. This bald head is depicted in the sculpture described below, and it is said that Medtsu was only allowed to attack people and horses between the 1st and 16th days of the 7th month of the lunar calendar

Part of this legend is also depicted in the carvings of the main hall of Kushihiki Hachimangu Shrine, where the image of a "medotsu being held down by a hawk" can still be seen today.

"Medots will appear" - A lesson left in the sign

A sign in Hachinohe City that reads "Medots will appear."

This legend is not just an old tale, and around 1976 (Showa 51), a sign reading "Medots will appear" was actually erected in the local area to prevent people from falling into the irrigation canal

The sign reads in red, "Danger! Don't go near it at night, or you might encounter a drowning fish." The message is intended to be humorous, but also to prevent children from drowning

After completing its usefulness, the sign was donated to the Hachinohe City Museum and is still treasured as a part of local culture, having been exhibited at the special Kappa Exhibition in 2016 (※Hachinohe City Museum collection/exhibition record)

The weight of "evidence" and tradition in place names

In a part of Shirinai-cho, Hachinohe City, the place name "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.

There is also a theory that the kappa and zashiki-warashi of Tono actually originated from the "medotsu" of Hachinohe, making this a good example of the spread and transformation of yokai culture. It can also be said to be an extremely valuable piece of regional folklore material when considering the continuity of yokai folklore in the Tohoku region

Google Map – Medotsu River

Summary: What is the lesson that Medtsu is teaching us?

"Medots" is not just a ghost story. It is a symbol of local wisdom born from the fear and imagination of people, and serves as a means of preventing drowning accidents and raising awareness of safety

It may seem strange to modern eyes, but it was a realistic way to teach children about the dangers of waterside areas. By being passed down to the present day as a sign, Medotsu lives on as a local cultural heritage

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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