Hachiryuji. Maker of Rain.

Long, long ago there was a peaceful, prosperous village known as Yamzaki (now Yamazaki 山崎 in Shimodate 下館 city). One year the sun began to shine down mercilessly on the village day after day. All the fields and rice paddies dried up completely. The villagers worried about the lack of rain but there was nothing that they could do.

Eventually after much thought one old villager spoke to them all. “When I was young I heard that in a marsh to the north there is a dragon with eight heads. She is called Hachiryuji 八竜神 (Eight Headed Dragon God) and can make rain. Perhaps we should appeal to Hachiryuji."

The villagers were all in agreement. They immediately gathered before the village shrine and beating a drum prayed to Hachiryuji.

Hachiryuji, asleep in the marsh, was awakened by the sound of the drum and thought to herself, “I must help the villagers, but to make rain, the water from this swamp alone will be insufficient.” So with a roar of cascading water Hachiryuuji hauled her eight heads from the marsh and flew into the sky in search of another marsh.

From the sky she could see a glittering marsh to the south, Daiho 大宝 marsh, thrust her heads into the water and drank until her belly was full and the water was all gone. Then she once again took to the skies.

When this was discovered by the protector of the marsh, Daiho Hachiman 大宝八幡 (a god of war) he exclaimed, “I cannot allow my important water to be stolen,” and seizing his bow and arrow set off after Hachiryuji.

Hachiryuji thought, “This is bad, I must escape quickly!” but when she tried to fly away faster her water filled belly slowed her down.

As she approached Yamzaki village Hachiryuji was struck in the ear by an arrow shot by Hachiman, severing her ear which dropped to the ground. That ear fell to become a bridge over a small river in the town. Enduring much pain Hachiryuji finally made it to the village and in one breath spat out all the water. The villagers jumped for joy as their crops came back to life.

However, in the sky the two gods continued to do battle. Hachiman’s second arrow cut off Hachiryuji’s tail which fell to become another bridge. The injured Hachiryuji kept fighting, but soon her strength ran out and she rolled over and fell into the village where she died.

The villagers decided to build a shrine in Hachiryuji’s honour and prayed for her to watch over the village.

Now in the district in accordance with this legend you can find 耳取川 Mimitorikawa(Severed Ear River） and 竜尾橋 Tatsunobashi (Dragons Tail Bridge), and you will be told by people of the kindness of Hachiryuji.