第二話：噴火湾の大章魚
Story 2: The Giant Octopus of Funka Bay

日本語

内浦湾（噴火湾）はア トゥいいナウ*という大蛸がいて、その大きさは頭が大釣鐔**ほどもあり、足を広げると、四十メートルにもなった。漁に出る漁船はもとより、大阪、堺から蝦夷までやってくる商船の弁財船や、鯨まで一呑みにされ、猟師達は漁に出るときは、いつも大鎌を持っていくほど恐れおののいておった。

大蛸が棲んでいる礼文華のエコリ岬あたりの海は、いつも朱く染まっておったという。

アイヌ語で蛸のことをアトゥイイナウ*と呼ぶ。

*The トゥ here is written as a トwith a circle ten-ten (called a handakuten). This doesn't happen in regular Japanese. However, it is used in Ainu language, and is pronounced like "tu" in "tune"
**Pronounced おおつりがね. The last kanji was difficult to find - it is the same as 鍔, and means "sword guard". 

English

In Uchiura Bay (Funka Bay), there was a giant octopus named Atuiinau. The size, its head was as big as a large bell, and with its 'legs' spread, it would become upwards of 40 meters. When fishing boats would go out, they would tremble with fear so much that they would always bring scythes. 

It was said that the ocean near Ekori Bay*, where the giant octopus lived, was always stained red.

In the Ainu Language, the octopus was called Atuiinau.


*Ekori Bay is now referred to as Ikori. It's in the same area, just near Rebunge.

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Additional Info and Resources

I came across this story in a book I bought from some Ainu folk in Hokkaidou, 「アイヌの伝説」.  This book seems to have been printed, but put together in a very basic fashion. It is not available in the US (to the best of my knowledge). However, I am providing the Japanese portion of the tale as written, as well as my English translation.

However, Basil's book is available in the US. I bought the book to the right, and it's pretty good! I'd recommend it for anyone interested in folk tales!

Here is a video I found of a tunnel that has bee created at Rebunge Pass. Turn off your speakers. The guy's go-kart is really loud.