Ainu Folklore: The Owl
I was living happily in the Horokaruru settlement, in that part of it which is near to the big forest. But then I heard that the sister of Self-brought-up-Man (Yairesupo)…
From: 1918 C.E. To: 1912 C.E.
Location: Hokkaido, Japan
Note: This article has been excerpted from a larger work in the public domain and shared here due to its historical value. It may contain outdated ideas and language that do not reflect TOTA’s opinions and beliefs.
"The Owl," from "Ainu Folklore" in The Journal of American Folk-Lore by Bronislas Pilsudski, 1912.
I was living happily in the Horokaruru settlement, in that part of it which is near to the big forest. But then I heard that the sister of Self-brought-up-Man (Yairesupo) was very beautiful. Therefore I wanted to see her by my side, always sitting at my knee, nearer to the door. So I went to Self-brought-up-Man's house and sat down. Self-brought-up-Man bade me good-morning, but he never turned to speak to me. I said, "Although I am not very powerful, nevertheless I should like to see thy younger sister in my house, at my knee. That is why I have come to see thee."
But Self-brought-up-Man answered, "Oh, thou scapegrace! thou art only a useless bird, a little man-owl, covered with bristly feathers,"a small owl,"and I have no idea of letting my sister marry thee." When I heard those insulting words, a mighty anger arose in my heart. I went out furious, and perched on the top of a big "inau" built at the back of the house.
There I sat, full of wrath, and began to screech and to shout towards Self-brought-up-Man's house. My cries from on high fell on the women's corner. I shouted down at them from the "inau." And Self-brought-up-Man's guardian spirit, the angel (seremaki), was taken ill, and Self-brought-up-Man himself nearly saw the lower world.
For two days, for three days, I screeched; and at last Self-brought-up-Man said, "Little man-owl, do not be angry any more! I am no longer going to withhold my sister from thee. I shall allow thee to take my sister, and to look at her, while she shall sit at thy knee." So I kept my temper, and married the woman, and took her with me everywhere I went. Therefore I am of one blood with mankind (entsiu). I am only a little man-owl, but next of kin to man.
Bronislas Pilsudski, "Ainu Folk-Lore," The Journal of American Folklore 25, no. 95 (1912): doi:10.2307/534469.
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