Hainu - 羽犬 - [Yokai]

Hainu - 羽犬

•about this yokai:

A yokai from “Hainuzuka” a train station in the neighborhood of Chikugo City, Fukuoka prefecture - around the cities & train stations there are several different statues of dogs with wings. - There are two popular legends relevant to these statues and the name of the area.

Both take place in the Spring of 1587, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded with the goal of unifying Japan. - In one story: The feathered dog is an aggressive hound that attacks livestock and scares the locals, Hideyoshi after much effort manages to slay it. In the other version, the dog instead becomes Hideyoshis beloved pet!

Either way: Hideyoshi was apparently so impressed by the strength, speed and cleverness of the Winged pup, that he made a grave to mourn it & he later erected a statue a while after it had passed on (of course, its possible the wings are simply in reference to how fast the dog moved.) 

Today ‘Hane-maru” is also the local PR mascot as well (though, according to his twitter account, humorously, he’s often mistaken for a bear.)

Sticker Art by @Samkalensky (yo thats me!) - Part of my Night parade of 100 Demons - Yokai & Japanese folklore sticker collection, weather-resistant 4" Glossy sticker. Check my shop & follow @samkalensky for many more!