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{{Short description|Mythological Japanese creature}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2019}}
[[image:ShunsenOniguma.jpg|right|thumb|200px|A depiction of an ''onikuma'' by [[Shunsensai Takehara]] in the ''[[Ehon Hyaku Monogatari]]'']]
An '''onikuma''' (鬼熊, literally "demon bear") is a mythological Japanese [[yōkai]] originating in the [[Kiso Valley]] in [[Nagano Prefecture]]. It is a [[bear]]-like creature that has been known to walk upright. They sneak into villages at night to carry off livestock for food. It was described in the [[Ehon Hyaku Monogatari]], a collection of supernatural tales published in 1841.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Davisson |first1=Zack |title=Oniukuma - Demon Bear |url=https://hyakumonogatari.com/2013/05/28/onikuma-demon-bear/ |website=百物語怪談会 Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai |access-date=15 April 2020 |date=28 May 2013}}</ref>
==Description==
When a bear has lived for many years, it becomes an ''onikuma''. With enough strength to be able to move boulders as large as two meters in diameter, it is said to be able to kill a small animal simply by pushing it. It comes down from the mountains to steal [[horse]]s and [[cattle]], which it brings back to the mountain to eat.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Nagata |editor1-first=Mikako |title=Zukaidaijiten Nihon no Yōkai 図解大事典 日本の妖怪 |date=25 December 2015 |publisher=SHINSEI Publishing Co., Ltd. |page=43 |edition=1st |language=ja}}</ref>
Some large stones in the Kiso Valley are called "''Onikuma'' stones." Given their size and placement, they are attributed to ''onikuma''. Local tradition states that ''onikuma'' throw these stones, larger than ten people together could move, at humans from the mountains above.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Coslett |first1=Matthew |title=Demoinc travel destinations for Halloween in Japan |url=https://japantoday.com/category/features/travel/demonic-travel-destinations-for-halloween-in-japan |website=Japan Today |publisher=GPlusMedia Inc. |access-date=15 April 2020 |date=29 October 2018}}</ref>
The method to kill an ''onikuma'' was to hollow out a large tree into a tube like a [[Water well|well]] lining and use it to block up the mouth of the nest of vines, then plunge poles through the hollow trunk into the nest. When the disoriented ''onikuma'' made its way to the opening, it would be attacked with spears and guns. It is said that in the [[Kyōhō]] era, when several ''onikuma'' were killed, each skin when spread out covered an area of six [[tatami]] mats (about 10 square meters) or more.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Meyer |first1=Matthew |title=Onikuma |url=http://yokai.com/onikuma/ |website=Yokai.com |access-date=15 April 2020}}</ref>
Additionally, in [[Hokkaido]], bears that attacked humans were feared as ''onikuma''.
==In popular culture==
===Television===
An Onikuma appeared in the ''[[Monster High (TV series)|Monster High]]'' episode "The Monstering". While its ability to throw rocks remains intact, the Onikuma can be subdued by tickling it. The Onikuma named Kuma (voiced by Sekai Murashige) found its way onto Monster High property and went on a rampage. When Clawdeen Wolf had her first transformation into a werewolf, she was able to tickle Kuma. Both were later accepted into Monster High. By the episode "Creature Clash", Kuma learned how to speak.
===Film===
''Onikuma'' (2016) is a hybrid live-action/stop motion animation [[short film]] directed by Alessia Cecchet that premiered at the 34th [[Torino Film Festival]], Italy in November 2016.<ref>[http://www.torinofilmfest.org/film/27497/onikuma.html ONIKUMA], Torino Film Festival. Retrieved on 13 August 2017.</ref>
==References==
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{{Japanese folklore long}}
[[Category:Yōkai]]
[[Category:Mythological bears]]
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{{Japan-myth-stub}}