Basan (legendary bird)

The basan as depicted in Takehara Shunsen's Ehon Hyaku Monogatari.

Basan (波山), alternatively referred to as Basabasa (婆娑婆娑) or Inuhōō (犬鳳凰) , is a fowl-like bird illustrated in the Ehon Hyaku Monogatari that lives in the mountains of Iyo Province (today Ehime Prefecture). According to the description on the illustration, it resembles a large chicken and breathes ghost-fire from its mouth. It is described as having a bright red cockscomb and spits an equally brilliant-hued fire. Due to the fire having a temperature akin to that of a Will-o'-the-wisp, it doesn't burn.

It usually lives in the bamboo groves of mountain recesses but sometimes materializes in human villages late at night. When the Basan flaps its wings, an eerie rustling ("basabasa") sound can be heard. Supposedly, if a human hears the sound and looks outside, the bird's form will suddenly vanish.

References

[1]