Koropokkuru, the man under the butterbur leaf

The rainy season has finally arrived in the Hokuriku region. Today, I would like to write about the story of spirits that I spoke about at the occult roundtable "Hokuriku Occult Society" that I host.

Do you know the spirit called "Koropokkuru"? If you know the Ho■Holo from Shama King, you are the same generation. Let's shake hands.

Koropokkuru is a spirit that is said to exist in Hokkaido, and its name means "person under the butterbur leaf." It is said that in the past, they lived alongside humans, and would share fish and meat they caught by fishing or hunting with humans through barter.

"Since they live under butterbur leaves, they must be cute, palm-sized spirits."However, the butterbur in Hokkaido is large and tall.Over 3 metersThere are some types that are like this, so it seems that your imagination about the size is not very reliable.

In fact, the Koropokkuru in folklore isSame as humans or slightly lowerIt is said to be as tall as

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However, the Koropokkuru do not only exist to bring benefits to humans. Sometimes they become angry at the selfish behavior of humans.

According to legend, Koropokkuru generally hate being seen by humans. In fact, bartering with Koropokkuru was done at night by reaching one's hand through a window in a house, so that neither could be seen.

However, one night, a curious young human grabbed the Koropokkuru's hand, which was offered to him for a trade, and pulled him into the window.

The thoughtless act of a young man ruined a long-standing peaceful relationship. Enraged by this, the Koropokkuru severed all ties with humans and fled to the far reaches of the northern seas.

Another legend states that Koropokkuru left the Ainu people because they were persecuted by them. When they left, they ran towards the land of the people who had persecuted them."Tocupchi"This means that he uttered a curse.

Tokappi means "Let the water dry up and the fish rot"

It is quite unusual for them to attack the people who persecuted them not directly, but by using their military supplies.SlyIt's a tactical spirit.

Anyway, the land that received the curse words was barren for a long time until it was redeveloped in the Meiji era. According to one theory, the land is now Tokachi City in Hokkaido, and the curse word "Tokachi" is said to be the origin of the city's name.Are you really regretting it??

Above are two legends about the Koropokkuru. This legend may be a kind of moralistic one that tells us that even if the other person is smaller than us, we may suffer retaliation if we do not treat them with sincerity.

(Image: Irasutoya)