Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: 犬神鼠, Dog God Rat
Category: Rat
The Myth
Inugami Nezumi, meaning “Dog God Rat,” is a supernatural creature associated with traditions of possession on Aijima in Abu District, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. It is linked to the inugami, or dog spirit, which was believed to possess certain families and bring supernatural influence upon their households.
The creature is described as having a long snout resembling that of a twenty-day-old mouse. It is said to belong to a family or group of seventy-five animals. Similar numbers appear in Japanese folklore about possessing spirits, including dog gods and tube foxes, which were believed to travel in groups or multiply until they numbered seventy-five.
The Inugami Nezumi is therefore one example of the animal spirits associated with hereditary possession beliefs in Japanese folklore.
Sources
“Inugami Rat.” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1076855304.html