Tradition / Region: Japanese Mythology
Alternative names: Meimyōchō, Seiseichō, Jivajivaka
Category: Bird
The Myth
The Gumyōchō, or Joint Life Bird, is a sacred bird described in the Amitabha Sutra as one of the six wondrous birds that dwell in the Pure Land. It has one body with two heads, and in some traditions it is also portrayed with a human face and the body of a bird. Its beautiful song proclaims the teachings of the Buddha, inspiring all who hear it to contemplate the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
Another famous legend tells of the bird’s tragic fate.
Long ago, on a snowy mountain, there lived a Joint Life Bird whose two heads were named Karuda and Upakaruda. Although they shared a single body, each head had its own thoughts and emotions. When one remained awake, the other slept.
One day, while Upakaruda slept, Karuda found a beautiful Mathuka fruit and ate it without sharing. When Upakaruda awoke and realized what had happened, he became consumed by jealousy and resentment.
Later, Upakaruda discovered a poisonous fruit. Knowing it would kill them both, he deliberately ate it to take revenge on Karuda. The poison spread through their shared body, and both heads perished together.
The Buddha explained that this story reflected events from a previous life. Karuda was later reborn as Siddhartha Gautama, while Upakaruda was reborn as Devadatta, the Buddha’s jealous cousin and rival. Because they had once shared the same body, Devadatta’s hatred followed him into his next life, leading him to repeatedly oppose and seek to harm the Buddha.
Sources
TYZ. (n.d.). 共命鳥 (Gumyōchō). In 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1064714812.html