Serpent of Yara Muruchi
Over
700 years ago an enormous, dragon-like serpent lived in Yara Muruchi
Pond.
It
was believed cycles of 7 months drought and 7 months of storms were
caused by this monster.
King
Gihon (1248-1260) consulted a shaman (yuta) concerning the problem.
The
severe weather caused economic losses for the fisherman and farmers
of the island.
The
elderly woman, he talked to, was a person with extraordinary psychic
powers.
She
claimed, a 20 year old virgin girl, must be sacrificed to appease
this demon of a dragon.
Then,
farmers and fishermen, would have fair weather and the economic
situation would improve.
The
yuta told the king to have an altar and an incense burner built,
overlooking the pond.
She
would officiate (in private) rituals to placate the monster, serpent.
King
Gihon, was already unpopular with the islanders because of economic
losses.
Now,
he had to devise a way to get someone's young daughter for a
sacrifice.
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The
king devised a plan, that would lessen his guilt in dealing with the
wicked soothsayer.
He
would insure, that no men would have to take part in the old woman's
demonic rituals.
Couriers
were dispatched throughout the kingdom, delivering messages to each
village.
The
family, willing to sacrifice a maiden, would live as royalty, the
rest of their lives.
Filial Loyalty
One
attractive young maiden stunned her family, volunteering to offer
herself.
She
would give her life in order to benefit family, community and
country.
It
may have driven her parents to madness but, it would end everyone's
misery.
In
a private meeting with the yuta, the girl was questioned extensively
by the old woman.
She
wanted to know the youngster's Zodiac sign, favorite foods, colors
and fertility cycle.
From
this conference, the shaman decided, when the sacrifice would take
place.
It
would be on the night of the full moon, during the sixth month, by
the Lunar calendar.
Nervously
the girl asked, “Will I be ravished, eaten alive or, both?”
The
elder replied, “That is something, only the gods in heaven know.”
She
was told to return on the appointed day before sunset, wearing her
finest clothes.
The Fateful Night
An
hour before the sun went down the maiden arrived at Yara Muruchi.
She
was met by the yuta, carrying a wicker basket, on the road above the
pond.
The
priestess assured the girl, no other villagers would witness the
event.
It
was a hot and humid summer night. Slowly they walked down the forest
trail.
Their
sandals stirred up scents of decaying leaves and, the buzzing of
mosquitoes.
Cicada
bugs chirped loudly in the trees surrounding the wooded area.
Nearing
the pond, the priestess stopped, placing her basket on the ground.
She
instructed the girl, to remove her undergarments fold them and put
them on the altar.
Apprehensive
as she was, she did as she was told.
No
one disobeys or, questions a Ryukyu yuta.
The
shaman brought her ritual container to the altar and placed some
burning incense.
She
sprinkled flower petals and liquid scents on the offerings and
clapped her hands twice.
She
ordered the girl, to walk near the water's to edge where she should
stand and pray.
The
yuta began muttering and praying, in some unintelligible language.
The
water rippling in the pond, suddenly raged and roared, as the monster
appeared.
High
above the pond, it hissed and stared down at the girl.
The
sound of her knees knocking, drowned out the noises forest insects
had been making.
Imagine
her prayer - “Just one big swallow, please!”
Then
it happened. An angry god, tossed a golden sphere.
It
hit the serpent in the head and exploded. The monster disappeared,
never to be seen again.
Aftermath
The
virgin was spared. She would become the bride of a royal prince.
Her
family was invited to live in the castle and cared for, the remainder
of their lives.
Periods
of drought and floods ended and, the islands prospered once more.
Every
year, on the 15th day of the 6th month, by the
Chinese calendar a ritual takes place.
Villagers
pray at the altar and, toss eggs (gold spheres) into Yara Muruchi
pond.
More Okinawan Folklore
More Okinawan Folklore
