Japanese Famine Legends: Myths of Hunger and Harvest
When travelers imagine Japan, they often picture lush terraced rice fields, bountiful kaiseki dinners, and a culture deeply connected to nature’s abundance. However, historically, the Japanese archipelago was prone to volatile weather and natural disasters, making the harvest precarious. This fragility gave rise to a unique subset of mythology: Famine Legends (Kikin Shinwa). These stories, ranging from the divine origins of crops to the eerie spirits of the starving, offer a fascinating glimpse into how ancient Japan rationalized scarcity and the sanctity of food.
Introduction: The Shadow Behind the Harvest
In Japanese folklore, food is never just sustenance; it is a divine gift often born from sacrifice. The mythology surrounding famine and food origins is not merely about the lack of resources, but about the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. For the cultural traveler, understanding these legends provides a deeper appreciation for the Japanese reverence for rice and the spiritual weight behind the simple phrase “Itadakimasu” (I humbly receive).
While Western myths often focus on the glory of sun gods or thunder deities, Japanese mythology places a profound, somewhat grotesque emphasis on the deities of grain and the dark consequences of failing to honor them.
Origins: The Agrarian Struggle
The roots of these legends lie in the Yayoi period, when wet-rice cultivation became the backbone of society. With the population entirely dependent on the harvest, a single typhoon or cold summer could spell disaster.
Historical texts suggest that famine was interpreted as a withdrawal of divine favor. To explain where food came from—and why it might be taken away—ancient storytellers looked to the Kami (gods). The most significant of these stories are recorded in Japan’s oldest chronicles, the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan).
The Legend of the Food Goddess
The most famous myth concerning the origin of food—and the violence required to produce it—is the story of Uke Mochi no Kami (The Goddess of Food).
According to the Nihon Shoki, the moon god Tsukuyomi was sent by his sister, the sun goddess Amaterasu, to visit Uke Mochi on earth. To entertain her divine guest, the goddess began to produce food. She turned to the land and vomited up boiled rice; she turned to the sea and spat out fish; she turned to the mountains and excreted game.
Tsukuyomi was horrified. Offended that she would offer him food produced from her own bodily fluids, he drew his sword and struck her down. When he returned to heaven and told Amaterasu what he had done, the Sun Goddess was furious. She banished Tsukuyomi to the night sky, vowing never to look upon him again—creating the separation between Day and Night.
However, Uke Mochi’s death was not in vain. From her corpse, the five staple grains were born: her head produced silkworms, her eyes rice seeds, her ears millet, her nose red beans, and her genitals wheat. This myth establishes a somber truth: agriculture is born from death, and the harvest requires sacrifice.
The Hungry Ghosts: Hidarugami
While Uke Mochi represents the divine origin of food, folklore also warns of the Hidarugami (Hunger Gods) or Darugami. These are not gods in the traditional sense, but the vengeful spirits of travelers who died of starvation on mountain passes.
Legend says that if you are hiking a remote trail and are suddenly overcome by intense fatigue, hunger, and an inability to move, you have been possessed by a Hidarugami. In local superstitions, particularly in the Wakayama and Nara prefectures, these spirits seek to drag the living into the same fate they suffered.
The only countermeasure? One must always leave a single mouthful of rice or a distinct portion of their bento box unfinished. If possessed, eating that single grain of rice will instantly satisfy the spirit and allow the traveler to continue. This folklore served as a practical warning to travelers to manage their rations wisely.
Modern Culture and Festivals
The echoes of these famine legends resonate in modern Japan.
- Sumo Wrestling: The stomping rituals (shiko) performed by sumo wrestlers were originally intended to stomp evil spirits out of the earth to ensure a good harvest.
- Anime and Media: Films like Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke often feature spirits that represent the consuming nature of hunger or the environment striking back against human negligence.
- Niiname-sai: This is an ancient harvest ritual still performed by the Emperor, where the year’s new grain is offered to the gods—specifically Amaterasu and the spirit of the food goddess—to thank them and prevent scarcity.
Traveler’s Tips: Tracing the Myth
For those interested in exploring the spiritual side of Japan’s agricultural history, here are a few recommendations:
- Ise Jingu (Geku): While the Inner Shrine is dedicated to Amaterasu, the Outer Shrine (Geku) is dedicated to Toyouke-Omikami, the deity of agriculture and industry, often conflated with Uke Mochi. It is the spiritual center of Japan’s gratitude for food.
- Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage: When hiking these ancient trails, keep the legend of the Hidarugami in mind. Carry a small rice ball (onigiri) as a symbolic offering or emergency ration.
- Shirakawa-go: Visit this UNESCO site to see how rural communities built architecture specifically designed to survive harsh winters and potential famine conditions through silk and gunpowder production.
Sources & Further Reading
- The Kojiki: Translated by Basil Hall Chamberlain or Donald L. Philippi. (Book I contains the creation myths).
- The Nihon Shoki: Translated by W.G. Aston. (Contains the specific account of Tsukuyomi and Uke Mochi).
- The Legends of Tono (Tono Monogatari): By Yanagita Kunio. A collection of folk tales that includes stories of mountain spirits and rural hardships.
- Encyclopedia of Shinto: Kokugakuin University (Online resource for specific deity names like Toyouke-Omikami).