Tradition: Chinese Mythology
Alternative Names: 巨手, Giant Hand, Giant Hand Monster
Category: Forest Dweller

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The Myth

Jushou, meaning “Giant Hand,” is a terrifying supernatural creature that appears as an enormous hand covered in fur resembling that of a deer. It emerges at night, appearing in temples and other places where people gather. In one account, the giant hand appears at a temple after dark and begs for food, presenting its strange, hairy form to those who encounter it. Its enormous size and unnatural appearance make it a frightening presence in the darkness.

Another tale tells of a giant hand that rose from the ground at night and seized soldiers, carrying them away. The creature was eventually confronted by Zheng Chenggong, also known as Koxinga, during his travels in Taiwan. He used a powerful cannon called Longgong against the monster, blasting away every finger except its thumb. After this encounter, the giant hand was transformed into a mountain known as Thumb Mountain, its remaining thumb giving the landmark its name.

The Jushou is remembered as a mysterious being whose enormous hand could appear unexpectedly, beg for food, or reach out of the earth to seize its victims. Its transformation into Thumb Mountain connects the creature to the landscape, leaving behind a lasting reminder of the terrifying encounter between humans and the supernatural.

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Sources

“巨手 (Jùshǒu).” Chinese Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B7%A8%E6%89%8B

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