The Bake-kujira ( Japanese: 化鯨, ghost whale) [a] is a mythical Japanese yōkai ( ghost, phantom, or strange apparition) from western Japan. It is described as being a skeleton whale that is accompanied by unknown fish and weird birds. [1] [2] It takes its revenge against people who hunt whales or eat whale meat, [1] [3] and does so by cursing them with plagues and fire. [4] It is also known as Hone Kujira (骨鯨, bone whale). [5]
In one story, a fisherman tries to catch it with his harpoon but the harpoon sailed right through it and the Bake-kujira floated away. In other stories people say that the Bake-kujira brings a curse and general misfortune to the area where it is spotted.[ citation needed]
The Bake-kujira ( Japanese: 化鯨, ghost whale) [a] is a mythical Japanese yōkai ( ghost, phantom, or strange apparition) from western Japan. It is described as being a skeleton whale that is accompanied by unknown fish and weird birds. [1] [2] It takes its revenge against people who hunt whales or eat whale meat, [1] [3] and does so by cursing them with plagues and fire. [4] It is also known as Hone Kujira (骨鯨, bone whale). [5]
In one story, a fisherman tries to catch it with his harpoon but the harpoon sailed right through it and the Bake-kujira floated away. In other stories people say that the Bake-kujira brings a curse and general misfortune to the area where it is spotted.[ citation needed]