Big Book of Mythology (Yokai Edition)

Okuri Inu

Translation: Sending-off dog

Other names: Okuri ōkami (Sending-off wolf)

Type: Animal

Origin place: Unknown

Habitat: Dark mountain passes and forested roads

Diet: Carnivores; particularly fond of humans

Danger zone: Yellow (Hostile)

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About Okuri-Inu:
Most dogs are nice, but this dog isn't too nice. Okuri-Inu is a spectral dog that follows lone travelers at night, attacking them if they trip. This yokai is very similar to the Black dog of English folklore.

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Appearance:
The okuri inu is a nocturnal dog- or wolf-like yokai which haunts mountain passes, forested roads, and similar locations. They resemble ordinary dogs and wolves in all but their ferocity; for they are much more dangerous than their mortal counterparts.

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Behavior/Interaction:
The okuri inu is a blessing and a curse at the same time: a blessing because it keeps you safe from other dangerous yokai that roam the mountains while watching your own footing and tailing behind you (at a safe distance) like a friend, sending you on your way, hence the "sending-off" part of its name. But then here's where the curse comes in: if you trip and fall, the okuri inu will ponce at you with supernatural speed and rip you to shreds at the spot. As long as you keep your footing, you'll be safe. Also, the okuri inu has a special relationship with another yokai, the yosuzume. This eerie bird's nocturnal song is often a warning that an okuri inu is following you. If one hears the yosuzume's "chi, chi, chi" song, it is a sign to take extra care to watch one's footing so that the okuri inu doesn't have dinner that night.

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Abilities:
*Supernatural speed

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Target(s):
Mountains travelers

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Escape plan:
Fake your fall. If you fake it so it looks like you did it on purpose, the okuri inu will be tricked into thinking you were just taking a short rest, and it won't pursue (make it look believable). You do this by saying, "Dokkoisho!" ("Heave-ho!") or, "Shindoi wa!" ("This is exhausting!") and quickly fixing yourself into a sitting position. Sigh, sit for a bit, then continue on your way. The okuri inu will wait patiently for you (so nice). If you should make it out of the mountains safely, you should turn around and call out, "Thanks for seeing me off!" Afterward, that okuri inu will never follow you again. Further, when you get home, you should wash your feet and leave out a dish of something for the okuri inu to show your gratitude for it watching over you.

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Origin story:
Superstitions related to the okuri inu are extremely old and are found in all parts of Japan. Wolves and wild dogs have existed on the Japanese isles for as long as humans have, and the legend of the okuri inu must have originated in the mists of pre-history. In modern Japanese, the word okuri ōkami also applies to predatory men who go after young women, pretending to be sweet and helpful but with ulterior motives. That word comes straight from this yokai.

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NOPE rating:
4/5