![]() ![]() The Baku was a chimera, a mythological beast comprised of a variety of parts from other animals, typically depicted with a bear’s body, an elephant’s trunk, a tiger’s paws, an oxen tail, and rhinoceros ears or eyes. ![]() While the Baku was deemed to be a spiritual being, it had a well-defined appearance. This Baku was illustrated by Katsushika Hokusai, the Japanese ukiyo-e artist of the Edo period. The Japanese Baku was a mythological beast comprised of the parts of a bear, an elephant, a tiger, an ox and a rhinoceros. While the Chinese mo powers were apotropaic, the Japanese Baku was imbued with the ability to fend off nightmares. Here the stories altered the powers of the mythological creature. It was only later, between the 14th and 15th centuries, that the mythological being appeared in Japan, during what is known as the Muromachi period. The Age of the Gods: A Japanese Creation Myth.The Legend of Heikegani: the Samurai Ghost Crabs.The 9th century poet Bai/Bo Juyi popularized the idea that drawings of this hybrid beast could ward off sickness and evil. The quadripartite mo of Chinese mythology was a fantastical monster made up of tiger paws, a cow tail, rhinoceros eyes and an elephant trunk. Chinese mythology had a tradition of hybrid monsters created from the parts of several animals. Tales of the Baku devouring nightmares actually originated in Chinese folklore. ( Public domain ) The Chinese Mo and the Appearance of the Japanese Baku ![]() Woodblock illustration of the Chinese mythological mo ( 貘 ), 1609. The Baku cannot be summoned without caution, however, as legend has it that if the Baku is not satisfied after consuming the nightmare, he may also devour one’s hopes and dreams. ![]() The Baku, otherwise known as the dream eater, is a mythological being or spirit in Chinese and Japanese folklore which is said to devour nightmares. ![]()
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