Kaijin (folklore)

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

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]

gollark: bad
gollark: Isn't that a difficult unsolved mathematical problem?
gollark: I guess?
gollark: Solution: use nonconductive water all through your house, or potentially replace the water with... liquid nitrogen, that's not conductive, IIRC.
gollark: r/wosh

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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