Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative names: Namedara-ushi, Namedarouun
Category: Cow
The Myth
Namedara-ushi is said to be the master of Aoike Pond in Gunmura, Masuzu County, in present-day Fujieda City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The legend is recorded in the Suruga no Kuni Zasshi (Miscellaneous Records of Suruga Province).
It was said that whenever Namedara-ushi howled, rain would soon follow. At the bottom of Aoike Pond were believed to be seven water holes from which clear water continually gushed forth. Even during severe droughts, the water level of the pond was said never to decrease.
During times of drought, local farmers performed a rain-making ritual centered around the creature. They constructed a large cow from straw and placed it into the water holes while beating gongs and drums and dancing. According to the tradition, rain would always arrive within three days of performing the ritual.
The connection between the name and the ritual suggests that the “ushi” in Namedara-ushi means “cow.” The creature itself is therefore closely associated with the sacred waters of Aoike Pond and the ritual practices used to bring rain.
Sources
Takahashi, Toshihiro. “なめだら牛 (Namedara Ushi).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). March 15, 2021. Accessed August 29, 2026. https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1078437873.html