Bake-kujira

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The Bake-kujira (化鯨, literally "ghost whale") is a mythical Japanese yōkai (ghost, phantom, or strange apparition) from western Japan.

It is supposedly a large ghostly skeleton whale and is said to be accompanied by strange birds and fish.

Legends[]

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.

External links[]

• Bakekujira and Japan's Whale Cults at hyakumonogatari.com (English).