Kaijin (folklore)

The Kaijin (海人, literally meaning "Sea Man") is an alleged sea monster from Japan, mentioned in books of the Edo period.

For other uses, see Kaijin (disambiguation).
The Kaijin in the Kanda-Jihitsu c. 1800

Description

The kaijin is described as being humanoid in appearance, with chin hair and eyebrows, and webbed skin between the fingers and toes. He also had a skin flap around the waist similar to a Hakama, and could only live for a few days on land. When given food or drinks he would not consume them, nor would he talk to any human that interacted with him.[1][2]

According to some, the kaijin was actually a misidentified sea lion or seal.[1]

References
  1. Hazama Yoshihiko, ed. (2005). Oni to mononoke no bunkashi : e de mite fushigi!. Yuuko Tate. p. 188. ISBN 978-4-946525-76-6. OCLC 72438397.
  2. (ac.jp Library中村学園大学 in) - PDF file, 10 pages Stock described.
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