Japan: An itinerant monk with snakes living in holes in his legs. From the Kaikidan Ekotoba Monster Scroll, mid-19th century.

The illustration shows a traveling monk from Nagano prefecture who would bathe in hot springs without removing his leggings. If anyone asked him why he did not fully undress before entering the water, he would show them the holes in his shins which contained snakes. The man was born with snakes living in his legs as punishment for misdeeds in a previous life. The Kaikidan Ekotoba is a mid-19th century handscroll that profiles 33 legendary monsters and human oddities, mostly from the Kyushu region of Japan, but with several from other countries, including China, Russia and Korea. The document, whose author is unknown, is in the possession of the Fukuoka City Museum.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Credit:

Pictures From History

Theme:

JAPANESE GHOSTS