Tradition / Region: Japanese Mythology
Alternative names: Black Bird; Kunne Cikap-po
Category: Bird
The Myth
The Kunne Cikap (“Black Bird”) is a monstrous bird from Ainu tradition. It was said to dwell at the Black River (Kunne pe) in the northern lands until it was overcome by the culture hero Ponyaunpe during his adventures. It is paired with the Hure Cikap (“Red Bird”), another fearsome bird that lived in the Red Forest.
In later Ainu tradition and literature, the Kunne Cikap came to represent evil and ill omens. It is described as a black bird that gathers in flocks to peck at the bodies of the dead, becoming a symbol of darkness, falsehood, and malevolent forces. This image appears in Ainu poetry, where the bird is invoked as something that should not be feared despite its sinister reputation.
Sources
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Kunne cikap. In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunne_cikap