Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: さるすべり
Category: Monkey
The Myth
Sarusuberi is a mysterious supernatural ape described in Sekai no Yōkai Zen Hyakka. According to the account, a hunter once captured a large monkey that possessed the remarkable ability to speak human language. The creature was not merely intelligent but could also predict the hunter’s future.
Frightened by the ape’s uncanny abilities, the hunter became convinced that he was dealing with something unnatural. Rather than keep his strange captive, he hurriedly released it. The ape then disappeared, leaving behind the mystery of its origins and powers. The story’s original source is unknown, and Sarusuberi may have been a creature invented for the encyclopedia rather than one drawn from an established Japanese tradition.
Sources
“Sarusuberi.” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1051082383.html