Akkorokamui

In Ainu language, is "octopus", whereas others have republished the tale as that of the akkorokamui. == Legend ==

and Mount Komagatake near Yakumo town, Hokkaidō, looking southeast According to the legend of the Iburi region, the akkoro kamuy (aka atuina) is a giant octopus and the nushi ("lord") of Funka Bay (officially called Uchiura Bay). This then became the baneful akkoro kamuy. Clothing origin Another piece of etiological folklore gives a different origin for the octopus. It tells the story of Kotan-kar-kamuy injured by a bear, at a place called Akapira (possibly Akahira, Sorachi District). His wife rushed to nurse him back to health. The couple returned to the heavenly world, but since something worn in the earthly world cannot be carried up to heaven, the goddess disrobed and cast off her "under-belt" () into the sea, which transformed into akkoro kamuy (, "strings-possessing-god"), the octopus. This "under-belt", braided from eight cords of cloth, was a sort of chastity belt worn by gentlewomen (). == Rātoshikamui ==

A giant octopus also occurs in Ainu lore under the name of '''''' (ラートシカムイ, Their strengths were evenly matched, resulting in a stalemate. During the tug of war, the huri kamui strove not to be dragged into the sea by flapping its tail feathers ( or in Ainu ) left and right (such a movement is called ), hence the sea in that area came to be called "Ishikari". == Similar creatures ==

Another giant sea-beast of lore said to be found in Funka Bay is the giant sea cucumber named ,, literally "sea"+"sea cucumber", more particularly the [sub]-species commonly called , Cucumaria frondosa japonica. which folklore says transformed from a woman's (undergarment). The name specifically refers to the type of sea cucumber known as fujiko (or kinko), now classified as Cucumaria frondosa subspecies japonica. The monster uses its mouth to sucks onto driftwood, etc., to float to the sea surface, and is said to flip over fishing vessels that may approach. The nushi of the seas around Muroran was said to be the「, a giant red monster capable of swallowing ships, but different from the atiyna (octopus), but possibly the same as the (cf. infra) by another name. According to the injured god narrative discussed above () when the god's wife cast down her mour (undergarment) into the sea, it turned into the ("sea-possessing-old man"), i.e., a turtle (). The ("old man of the deep sea" or "of the offing") is another sea monster, said to devour 8 whales. Once, 2 fishermen were swallowed inside, and stoked a bonfire inside that caused the monster to belch them out, but they may have already been afflicted by the monster's venom for the full head of their hair fell out and they turned bald.。 ==In Shinto==

which has incorporated Akkorokamui as a minor kami. Self purification practices for Akkorokamui are often strictly followed. While Akkorokamui is often presented as a benevolent kami with powers to heal and bestow knowledge, it is fickle and has the propensity to do harm. Akkorokamui's nature as an octopus means that it is persistent and it is near impossible to escape its grasp without permission. Shrines in dedication to Akkorokamui and associated octopus deities are found throughout Japan. Akkorokamui enjoys the sea and offerings which reflect this: fish, crab, mollusks, and the like are particular favorites of Akkorokamui, which give back that which it gave. Homage to Akkorokamui is often for ailments of the limbs or skin, but mental purification and spiritual release is particularly important. Akkorokamui is characteristically described with the ability to self-amputate, like several octopus species, and regenerate limbs. This characteristic manifests in the belief in Shinto that Akkorokamui has healing powers. ==In popular culture==

• In the ''Bob's Burgers'' episode "Flu-ouise", some of Louise Belcher's toys are revealed to be named after Japanese legendary creatures, including an octopus called Akkoro Kamui. They come to life in a fever dream Louise goes through, with Akkoro Kamui sounding like her mother Linda. They also appear in ''The Bob's Burgers Movie''. ==See also==