Basan (legendary bird)

Thebasanas depicted in Takehara Shunsen'sEhon Hyaku Monogatari

TheBasan( sóng sơn ), alternatively referred to asBasabasa( che phủ che phủ ) orInuhōō( khuyển phượng hoàng ),is afowl-like bird with origins stemming fromJapanese mythologyand folklore and illustrated in Takehara Shunsen'sEhon Hyaku Monogatariand theGazu Hyakki Yagyō.

Mythology

It is said to live in the mountains ofIyo Province(todayEhime Prefecture). According to the description on the illustration, it resembles a large chicken and breathes ghost-fire from its mouth. It is described as having a bright redcockscomband spits an equally brilliant-hued fire. The fire is a cold fire, a glow, and it does not burn.

It usually lives in thebamboogroves of mountain recesses but sometimes materializes in human villages late at night. When the Basan flaps its wings, an eerie rustling ( "basa basa" ) sound can be heard. The alias (‘Basabasa’) comes from the sound of the flapping wings. Supposedly, if a human hears the sound and looks outside, the bird's form will suddenly vanish. It is sometimes depicted with blue hackles and claws, green regimes and sickle feathers, and a red body. It is also sometimes called the "Fire Rooster".

In popular culture

• ThePokémonfamily ofTorchic,Combusken,andBlazikenare based on the Basan, as well asMagmar.

See also

• Cockatrice

References

• [1]
• "Japanese Mythology - Spirits and Creatures".Archived fromthe originalon 2015-06-30.Retrieved2015-06-28.