Tsuchinoko - Breanna - Fifth Hour

Deep in the remote mountains of Honshu, Shikoku, the Kyushu Islands of Japan and the Korean Peninsula lives one of Japan’s most well-known cryptids. The Tsuchinoko is two to three feet in length. It possesses a mottled, black, rusty color with a bright orange belly. Obviously a reptile, it also has large protruding scales. Sometimes it’s said to have tiny horns above its eyes. It’s much like a snake, however, its body or center is very bulgy and much wider than its head. Its body then ends in a small, obtruding tail. And, oddly, it has the scent of chestnut tree flowers. This highly venomous creature is wanted in many areas of Japan; 20 million yen is offered in one city. However, even though many people believe in this cryptid, its existence befuddles me.

The Tsuchinoko has much historical evidence of its existence. It is present in the oldest known Japanese book, Kojiki. Kojiki is much like our own bible and tells of the creation of the world to the fifteenth emperor of Japan. Tsuchinoko is present in many different Japanese stories and folktales. There have also been possible remains of it found. A man has even claimed to have caught a supposed Tsuchinoko, and in the mist of eating it, discovered the snake like creature had a double back-bone. Even the appearance of a Tsuchinoko has historic grounds. At first glance, the image of a Tsuchinoko is described as, “Cute.” People have described a Tsuchinoko to possess wide-eyes like Hello Kitty herself, and a, “Nice to meet you,” kind of expression upon its face. However, the name Tsuchinoko derives from the old Japanese word for mallet, “Tsuchi.” Now, why would that be cute?

Despite the historic proof, the Tsuchinoko lacks any physical evidence at all. There have been eye witnesses of sightings of Tsuchinoko, however, there’s much doubt in the “reliable” witnesses. Many and nearly all witnesses were of old age, with bad eye-sight. And, although, remains have been found, many have been identified as other snakes. Two possible remains of Tsuchinoko actually turned out to be the remains of a garden snake and a rat snake. The appearances of other animals also present themselves as being similar to the Tsuchinoko. Snakes just recently fed have a very similar appearance to the cryptid. Skinks also have an almost identical appearance but have arms and legs. Japanese folktales also present impossible characteristics for Tsuchinokos. For example, they can talk and mimic human voices. Their body movements are also very unlikely. They are said to be able to jump. However, their mid-section is much too big to even move up and down.

The existence of such a reptilian creature is not probably possible. With no proper evidence of its existence, this cryptid can only be myth. Its un-realistic characteristics are also proof that it doesn’t exist. However, many people will continue to live on as fact. Many still are in search of the Tsuchinoko; money is offered in many areas of Japan for the capture of the Tsuchinoko. A Tsuchinoko has even been said to have been caught. It had been put up for display to the public eye in Japan. However, there’s still much speculation on whether it’s the true snake-like reptile. Years and years continue to pass with the knowledge of this subject of cryptology. And still, there’s no credible information on the existence of the Tsuchinoko. The Tsuchinoko will most likely continue to be a lurking creature in the depths of our minds.

Works Cited

Figure 1. Date retrieved: 5 April 2009.
Figure 2. Date retrieved: April 2009.
“Seven Mysterious Creatures of Japan.” Date retrieved: 5 April 2009.
“Tsuchinoko.” Date retrieved: 5 April 2009.
“Tsuchinoko.” Date retrieved: 5 April 2009.
“Big Foot’s Smaller But Cuter Japanese Friend.” Date retrieved: 5 April 2009.