Tradition / Region: Japanese Mythology
Alternate Names: Okuri Ōkami (“sending-off wolf”)
Category: Dog, Yokai
The Myth
The Okuri Inu is a dangerous spirit said to haunt mountain paths, forest roads, and lonely passes. It appears as a dog or wolf and is most often encountered at night, when travelers must cross the wild places between villages.
Those who walk alone in the dark may suddenly sense that something is following them. If they look back, they might see a dog-shaped figure pacing behind them, keeping exactly to their footsteps. The creature does not attack at once. Instead, it follows silently, waiting.
As long as the traveler keeps walking, nothing happens. But if they stumble, fall, or show weakness, the Okuri Inu leaps forward with supernatural speed and tears them apart.
Because of this, the spirit is both feared and strangely respected. While it stalks a person, no other beasts or spirits will come near. In this way it protects the traveler from all other dangers, even as it waits for the chance to become their doom.
Some say there are ways to escape it. If a traveler stumbles, they must quickly pretend it was intentional. Sitting down at once and speaking aloud as if resting — saying something like “Heave-ho” or “I’m tired” — may trick the spirit into thinking the fall was not a sign of weakness. Then it will wait patiently rather than attack.
If the traveler survives the journey and leaves the mountains safely, they should turn and thank the unseen follower for escorting them. It is also said that once home, a person should wash their feet and leave out food in gratitude. If this is done, that Okuri Inu will never follow them again.
The spirit’s name, meaning “sending-off dog,” comes from the way it follows travelers as if accompanying them on their way. Since ancient times, stories of this creature have been told across Japan, born from the dangers of mountain travel where a single misstep could mean death.
Thus the Okuri Inu is remembered as a watcher of lonely roads — a shadow that walks behind the traveler, guarding them from danger while waiting for the moment they falter.
Gallery
Sources
Foster, M. D. (n.d.). Okuri-inu. In yokai.com, from https://yokai.com/okuriinu/
Interpretive Lenses
Religious Readings
- Christian Ascetic Deep Dive
Philosophical Readings
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Psychological Readings
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Political / Social Readings
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