Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: 御耳長様, O-Mimi-Naga-sama, Honoured Long-Eared One
Category: Rabbit
The Myth
Omiminaga-sama is the name given to rabbits by the people of Sakurajima, an island in Kagoshima, Japan. The name treats the rabbit with reverence, and the islanders feared the animal as a god.
According to local belief, anyone who ate rabbit meat would immediately suffer from stomach pain. Even dreaming about a rabbit was considered dangerous, as it was believed to cause illness. These beliefs were recorded by the naturalist Sato Chūryō, who encountered them during his travels around Japan. He noted that similar taboos surrounding particular birds and animals could be found in many parts of the country.
Sources
“Omiminagasama.” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1083373710.html