Date
Name Kudan
Gender Feminine & Masculine
Usage Japanese, Japanese Mythology
Pronounced Pron. kuu-dahn
Edit Status Status
Meaning & History
From Japanese 件 (kudan) meaning "matter", or more creatively translated as "human-faced bovine", is a yōkai which became widely known throughout Japan during the first half of the 19th century. The kanji used for Kudan can also come from Japanese 人 (hito) meaning "person" combined with 牛 (ushi) meaning "cow, bull". The kanji used as a given name is 牛 (kudan) meaning "cow, bull", and is used among females.
The most widespread interpretation of the kudan comes from the Edo period, in which it is described as a creature which—despite being born from a cow—has the ability to use human speech. The creatures invariably die just a few short days after their birth, yet in that time they are said to coincide with some major event. Sometimes these events bring various misfortunes such as poor crop harvest, natural disasters, or sickness, only for the kudan to die when the event has come to pass.They are also said to issue prophecies of things to come. These prophecies typically depict bleak happenings such as war. A kudan was rumoured to have predicted Japan's defeat during World War II. Despite this, pictures and talismans of the kudan are still seen as good luck charms due to their association with honesty.
The most widespread interpretation of the kudan comes from the Edo period, in which it is described as a creature which—despite being born from a cow—has the ability to use human speech. The creatures invariably die just a few short days after their birth, yet in that time they are said to coincide with some major event. Sometimes these events bring various misfortunes such as poor crop harvest, natural disasters, or sickness, only for the kudan to die when the event has come to pass.They are also said to issue prophecies of things to come. These prophecies typically depict bleak happenings such as war. A kudan was rumoured to have predicted Japan's defeat during World War II. Despite this, pictures and talismans of the kudan are still seen as good luck charms due to their association with honesty.