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EveryJaadu

Kotobuki

In its own language: 寿

from the kanji meaning congratulations or longevity

A Japanese chimera combining features of all twelve Chinese zodiac animals

Legendary

The Kotobuki is a legendary creature from Japanese mythology. It is described as a chimera formed by joining parts of the twelve animals found in the Chinese zodiac.

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  • It is a yōkai from Japanese mythology.
  • Its name means congratulations or longevity.
  • It combines parts of all twelve Chinese zodiac animals.
  • It has the head of a rat and ears of a rabbit.
  • It is considered a chimera similar to the Nue.

What it is

The Kotobuki is a mythical being classified as a yōkai within Japanese folklore. A yōkai is a general term for spirits, monsters, or supernatural entities in Japanese culture. This specific figure is a chimera, meaning it is composed of parts from different animals. Its name translates to 'congratulations' or 'longevity'. It stands as a unique example of composite monster lore in East Asian myth.

Where it comes from

The creature originates from Japanese mythology. It is not tied to a specific historical event or religious text but exists within the broader tradition of yōkai stories. The concept likely draws upon the cultural significance of the Chinese zodiac, which is widely recognized in Japan. No single origin story details its creation beyond its composite nature.

Kotobuki, drawn and placed

Emblem With the feather shape. Drawn from this page, not a photograph.
  1. Living
  2. Revived
  3. Fading
  4. Historical
  5. Legendary
  6. Performed
Standing: Legendary Known from myth, story and legend rather than from recorded practice. This says whether people still do it, not whether it works.
A feather: used in cleansing and blessing in some traditions, worn as a sign of office, and carried as a charm.
Lineage
Japanese folklore and yōkai tradition
Where it sits The tradition it belongs to, and when it is done.

Peoples and places

The Kotobuki is identified with Japanese culture. It appears in lists of yōkai and is often compared to other composite creatures like the Nue. While the Chinese zodiac has pan-Asian roots, this specific combination is treated as a distinct element of Japanese mythological taxonomy.

At a glance: who, where and when

Peoples

Japanese

What people believe

In Japanese belief systems, yōkai represent various aspects of the natural and supernatural world. The Kotobuki’s composition reflects the importance of the twelve zodiac animals. These animals are part of a cyclical calendar and cultural identity. The creature itself is a legendary construct rather than an object of worship.

Compare and confuse

The Kotobuki is related to the Nue, another Japanese chimera. Both are composite beings. The Kotobuki specifically incorporates every animal from the Chinese zodiac. Other cultures have chimera-like figures, but this one is defined by its complete zodiac assembly.

Questions people ask about Kotobuki

What is the Kotobuki?

The Kotobuki is a legendary chimera from Japanese folklore. It is classified as a yōkai, a type of supernatural spirit or monster. The creature is known for its unique physical composition.

Where does the Kotobuki come from?

It comes from Japanese mythology. The creature is part of the broader tradition of yōkai stories. Its design is based on the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, which are significant in Japanese culture.

What animals make up the Kotobuki?

It is made of parts from all twelve Chinese zodiac animals. These include the rat, ox, rabbit, tiger, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and boar.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Kotobuki (folklore)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-14.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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