|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 28, 2022 8:30:46 GMT -5
Bears like black bears and brown bears are very respected and are considered sacred in Far east like Manchuria, China, Korea and Japan. Sometimes, even festivals were held just for bears. In this thread we will look only on black bear and brown bear starting from Japan. The Anui people of Japan's province, Hokkaido, revered the bears as Gods and held especial festivals for them.
"Iomante (イオマンテ), sometimes written as Iyomante (イヨマンテ), is an Ainu ceremony in which a brown bear is sacrificed. The word literally means "to send something/someone off". In some Ainu villages, it is a Blakiston's fish owl, rather than a bear, that is the subject of the ceremony. In Japanese, the ceremony is known as "sending off the bear" (熊送り, kumaokuri) or, sometimes, "the bear festival" (熊祭, kumamatsuri). In the modern day, the ceremony no longer involves the killing of an animal, but is performed for wild animals that die in accidents or captive animals that die of old age."
Bears festival being held by the Anui people.
Bear being sacrificed to free his spirit from the body.
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 28, 2022 8:39:43 GMT -5
"The Ainu people, who live on select islands in the Japanese archipelago, call the bear “kamuy” in their language, which translates to mean "god". While many other animals are considered to be gods in the Ainu culture, the bear is the head of the gods. For the Ainu, when the gods visit the world of man, they don fur and claws and take on the physical appearance of an animal. Usually, however, when the term “kamuy” is used, it essentially means a bear. The Ainu people willingly and thankfully ate the bear as they believed that the disguise (the flesh and fur) of any god was a gift to the home that the god chose to visit.
A brown bear cub for sacrifice in Bear festival.
While on Earth – the world of man – the Ainu believed that the gods appeared in the form of animals. The gods had the capability of taking human form, but they only took this form in their home, the country of the gods, which is outside the world of man. To return a god back to his country, the people would sacrifice and eat the animal sending the god's spirit away with civility. This ritual is called Omante and usually involves a deer or adult bear.
A shaman worshipping the Bear after sacrifice.
Omante occurred when the people sacrificed an adult bear, but when they caught a bear cub they performed a different ritual which is called Iomante, in the Ainu language, or Kumamatsuri in Japanese. Kumamatsuri translates to "bear festival" and Iomante means “sending off”. The event of Kumamatsuri began with the capture of a young bear cub. As if he was a child given by the gods, the cub was fed human food from a carved wooden platter and was treated better than Ainu children for they thought of him as a god. If the cub was too young and lacked the teeth to properly chew food, a nursing mother will let him suckle from her own breast. When the cub reaches 2–3 years of age, the cub is taken to the altar and then sacrificed. Usually, Kumamatsuri occurs in midwinter when the bear meat is the best from the added fat. The villagers will shoot it with both normal and ceremonial arrows, make offerings, dance, and pour wine on top of the cub corpse. The words of sending off for the bear god are then recited. This festivity lasts for three days and three nights to properly return the bear god to his home."
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 28, 2022 8:40:27 GMT -5
"An Anui shaman worshipping the Bear-Head of all the Gods".
"The brown bear's skull fixed on a altar after the sacrifice."
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 28, 2022 8:49:47 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 28, 2022 20:28:25 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 28, 2022 20:35:55 GMT -5
"Bears have a very importance place in japanese culture. They are often called cuchikuso (King of the beasts) or mori no oja (King of the forest)."
"The chinese had many character family and personal names for bear so same as japanese for example, kumamura (Bear Village) and kumada (Bear Field), kumazada (Bear Marsh). The family names cam be kumagai (Bear Valley) is found in Hongsu, while other parts of the peninsula also show names like kumamoto (Bear Origin)."
"The bears word can also be used in jokes etc as a 16 year old boy said kuma ka oru kana saro yuna konarto or "monkeys never come around because there bears are present."
"Bear also stand names for places such as Kumayama (Bear mountain), Kumaoka (Bear Hill), Kumagawa (Bear river) and, of course, Kumano (Bear Plain). Sometimes bears (kumas) are taken in negative form as some areas are known as 'Bear attack' which are places of reputations of evil robbers and thiefs showing the bears predatory nature too."
books.google.com.pk/books?id=iDqxEtYjD4YC&pg=PA163&dq=black+bear+as+sacred+to+japan&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjzrovqk-r2AhUQuRoKHWc3CgoQ6AF6BAgFEAM
"The bear is the fear of the Japan. Notorious bear attacks in the past had made the bear as an aggressor, killer and man-easter. Due to which bears are often depicted as kyofu majin (Black demons)."
books.google.com.pk/books?id=iDqxEtYjD4YC&pg=PA163&dq=black+bear+as+sacred+to+japan&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjzrovqk-r2AhUQuRoKHWc3CgoQ6AF6BAgFEAM
"Bears also have religious status too. They are associated with yama no kami, mountain spirit, in Shinto religion. Bears are also sacred in buddhism as linked with bodhisartavas."
"Bears with cresent chest mark are associated with moon and the Sun giving them high status in the folk religion. They are also associated with death and rebirth due to their hibernation."
"Bears are highly associated with yama and other landscapes such as rough areas and killing bears on those area would bring kumaare or 'Bear storm' as the bear spirit could change weather."
books.google.com.pk/books?id=iDqxEtYjD4YC&pg=PA163&dq=black+bear+as+sacred+to+japan&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjzrovqk-r2AhUQuRoKHWc3CgoQ6AF6BAgFEAM
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 28, 2022 21:16:42 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 29, 2022 7:01:56 GMT -5
"Bears are used as masculinity in Japan. In Kii peninsula, a boy was named Kumaichi (Bear one), Kumami (Bear three) or Kumao (Bear man)."
"In japan, a custom is called kumanori or 'bear-riding' in which a boy rides on a dead hunted bear upon which the people say that the boy is becoming powerful and healthy and is gaining the courage. This is done to confort the fear of the boys of nature as the most dangerous beast on the forest, to invoke the masculine adimred quality of strength."
"In Japan, bears are also used as a symbol of strong family ties, and devotion and love for family members. The hunter would not hunt a pregnant female bear and would place water near her birth den so she could drink."
books.google.com.pk/books?id=iDqxEtYjD4YC&pg=PA163&dq=black+bear+sacred+to+japan&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiS2oH7o-v2AhUB0BoKHcFSAHsQ6AF6BAgHEAM
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 29, 2022 20:09:03 GMT -5
Onikuma- The Japanese Bear Demon
"What Does Onikuma mean?
The name onikuma is broken down into two kanji 鬼(oni; demon, ogre) + 熊(kuma; bear). It’s an unusual name for a yokai of this type—the vast majority of magical animal yokai use some variation of bake-, like the bakekujira, or bakeneko. I have no idea why this isn’t called a bakeguma, but it just goes to show that folklore doesn’t follow any rules. A monster bear comes tromping through your town, you get to name it whatever you please.
In this case the word “oni” doesn’t mean that this is a half-oni bear. It’s just used as a descriptive term, meaning this is one big, tough bear.
The Legend of the Onikuma
Shunsen Oniguma Ehon Monogatari
Onikuma come from Kiso province (modern day Nagano prefecture). They are a fairly obscure yokai, and one of the few known depictions of them is from the Ehon Hyakumonogatari (1841). Like almost all magical animal yokai, the onikuma is a bear that has lived an exceptionally long life and has transformed into a yokai.
Onikuma have no special powers other than walking on their hind legs like humans, and being exceptionally strong. Legends say an onikuma can move rocks that 10 men together can’t push. There are still some rocks in odd places around Nagano prefecture that are rumored to have been put there by onikuma, since they are far too large for a group of men to manage.
Their favorite food is horse. They are rarely seen, but sometimes sneak into villages at night to carry off horses by their forelegs, which they then devour in their caves.
Hunting the Onikuma
A legend says that a group of villagers once hunted and killed an onikuma. They were sick of their horses being carried off, and tracked the onikuma back to its cave lair. In preparation, they carved long spears from massive trees, and placed fresh meat as bait in front of the onikuma’s cave. When it came out for its supper, the villagers attacked with their long spears, killing it. They took the carcass back to their village where they stretched and tanned the hide. It was said to be big enough to cover the floor of an entire large room.
Henge or Kaiju?
In Hokkaido, instead of transformed animals the term “onikuma” is used for giant bears who have killed and eaten humans. In his book Mujyara, Mizuki Shigeru makes the case that perhaps the onikuma is not a henge-type transforming animal like bakeneko, but just a monstrous bear and should be considered a kaiju (monster) –type yokai."
www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://hyakumonogatari.com/2013/05/28/onikuma-demon-bear/&ved=2ahUKEwiZxcqP0-z2AhWIyoUKHYhqB0AQFnoECEEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1rT_KxBndmvWjGws8nn9tj
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 29, 2022 20:14:19 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 29, 2022 20:31:47 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 29, 2022 20:43:46 GMT -5
". Among the Korean myths and legends featuring bears, the most famous is that of Dangun, the founder of the Korean nation. The special exhibition sheds light on not only the myth of Dangun but a total of ten myths from all around the country. They include the story of Gombawi based in Geumgangsan Mountain about a male bondservant who was struck by lighting and turned into a rock; the story of Gomnaru about a man who lived with a bear-turned woman in Gongju; and the tale of the magistrate of Ulleungdo Island acting as a bear. These old tales reflect ancient Koreans’ perception of the bear as a symbol of patience and at times a sacred being."
" During the Korean Empire 1897–1910 the bear was featured on the military flags of the emperor. "
www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://amp.issuu.com/museumofkorea/docs/nmk_v43/s/12345666&ved=2ahUKEwjk2Y7s2ez2AhU4SvEDHcTACxsQFnoECEMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3QEDJqR2yJqGaasbQmua5L
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 29, 2022 20:58:45 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 29, 2022 21:04:04 GMT -5
This is a korean mythology that how bears became the first humans and became the ancestor of humans from the heavens in completing the task given by heaven lords in which the tiger failed.
"A bear and a god
The legend of Dangun starts with Hwanin (환인), the ruler of the Heavens, and his son Hwanung (환웅). Hwanung had a strong desire and burning wish to rule the earth, as he kept looking at it from the Heavens. Hwanung eventually asked for his father’s permission to descend upon earth and rule over it, to which Hwanin granted.
Upon hearing this, Hwanung brought 3000 of his followers and the gods of rain, wind and clouds with him to earth. They descended to Shindansu (신단수, the Holy Tree of Life[SHK1] ) on the mountain Taebaek (태백산), which is called Baekdu mountain (백두산) today. Here, they established the holy city of Sinsi (신시), and proceeded to rule over the earth while educating its people.
The Bear and tiger sitting with Dangun who wished to become the first humans.
A while after these events, a bear and a tiger prayed to Hwanung, and told him that they wished to become humans. Hwanung, upon hearing their wishes, asked the bear and the tiger to avoid sunlight for 100 days and only eat garlic and mugwort. The bear and the tiger quickly agreed, and retreated to a nearby cave.
In the beginning, the tiger and the bear did quite well. However, after 21 days, the tiger could not endure the situation any longer and left the cave. The bear, determined to become a human, stayed and fulfilled Hwanung’s request. Hwanung, of course, kept his promise and turned the bear into a human. The bear, finally part of humanity, took the name of Ungnyeo (웅녀, Bear Woman).
Ungnyeo, sad over the fact that she did not have anyone to marry, prayed to Hwanung for a son. Hwanung, moved by the prayers of Ungnyeo, transformed himself into a human, and married Ungnyeo. They soon gave birth to a son and named him Dangun.
Ungnyeo, bear-woman who became the Korea people ancestor.
Dangun, regarded as the first human prince of the land, grew up to establish his own kingdom. This kingdom was called Joseon (조선), but is generally called Gojoseon (Ancient Joseon) to disambiguate it from the Joseon dynasty (1392 - 1910).
www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://nor.mofa.go.kr/no-en/brd/m_21237/view.do%3Fseq%3D94&ved=2ahUKEwiv0smf3uz2AhWuzYUKHU9rDz8QFnoECDYQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2zEn380AniPyvHTkJwaBeF
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 29, 2022 21:28:15 GMT -5
"The Han dynasty people worshipped the bear."
"It is certain that thr Han dynasty people loved and respected the bear. Many cultural relics excavated from tombs like Zeng Hongji and Ma Wangdui involved bear images."
"When the Yan Emperor and Yellow Emperor began to govern the country, they made great contributions to the integration of the ethnic groups. What is more, the Yellow Emperor built his capital at Xinzheng, where had some bears. Therefore, he was also called “You Xiongshi,” meaning “Bear Emperor.”
It was said that the Chinese myth of “Shan Hai ching,” which was deeply loved and praised by Lu Xun, a famous Chinese writer, was written for the Chu people of the Warring States Period. The story begins with a high mountain, called the Bear Mountain. There were many caves in the mountain, where bears lived and the immortals always went there to play with bears. In the summer, the doors of the caves were open, while in winter, the doors of the caves were closed. If the doors of the caves were open in the winter, turmoil and disaster would occur. Therefore, there was some relation between the bear and divinity that could decide the wealth or woe of the common people.
Although it was a myth, people in ancient times believed it, and the bear totem commanded great respect at that time.
It was recorded in the work “Zuo Zhuan” that the Chu Cheng king ate a bear’s paw before he killed himself after he lost a battle. It was also once believed that the oldest ancestor of the Xia ethnic group became a bear after he died. It is therefore clear that people in ancient times showed great favor and respect to the bear."
www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/culture
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 31, 2022 19:13:46 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 31, 2022 19:21:58 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 31, 2022 19:35:21 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Mar 31, 2022 19:42:06 GMT -5
The Nivkh Bear Festival
"For the Nivkh peoples of Eastern Russia, their belief in Shamanism is central to their ceremonies surrounding the worshiping of bears. In the religious festivals, the Shamans lead and overshadow all festivities. The Nivkh believe that the bear is a sacred earthly manifestation of their ancestors and the gods, in material animal form. Bears are often captured by local women and raised in a corral, treating the bear as though it were a child. The bear festival then involves the bear dressed in a ceremonial costume of sorts and offered a feast so that the bear can it take back to the world of the gods. This is to show a level of benevolence among the clans. After the banquet, in an extensive ritual, the bear is killed and eaten, sending his spirit to the gods of the mountains. Historically, the bear festival was repressed significantly by the USSR. During the Soviet period, a number of religions were under threat in Russia as they undertook a policy of complete and forced secularization."
www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiK4_L90PH2AhUIz4UKHRsQCc4Qjhx6BAgBEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheculturetrip.com%2Feurope%2Frussia%2Farticles%2Fthe-fascinating-story-of-bear-worship%2F&psig=AOvVaw0ndkqH7gxHhtWezxxlI92V&ust=1648860140080609
|
|
|
|
Post by Montezuma on Apr 2, 2022 19:54:45 GMT -5
This is from a very detailed and good article that how much bears are revered in the Russian Far east, Siberia and China. I suggest everyone to read it. "The only large carnivore comparable is its habits to the bear is tiger, and indeed, in those areas where tigers occur is revered on par with the bear. Nevertheless, the conceptual framewprk connected with the bear is both geographically wider and structuraly more elborate than that connected with the tiger." "The bear cult is used to communicate with bears or to have some work done through bears. Since bears are called as "Lord of all Animals", bears are believed to send animals including bears for humans to hunt.""The bear cult is also connected to bear cult."
 "Sakhalin Ainu tells a story that bear married a woman and had cubs from her."
 www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://src-h.slav.hokudai.ac.jp/publictn/acta/20/asi20-001-janhunen.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwinl_iv5_b2AhWL_6QKHejvAtIQFnoECAQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2XMBsvD7gQVb5mU8ali5E3
|
|
