Japanese legends, Davis retelling
Samebito
Davis’s Shark-Person has lost its position in the Sea Dragon’s palace. Totaro takes it into his household and gives it a place in his garden pond. When its benefactor becomes distressed, the creature weeps. The fallen tears become glowing rubies in the tale.
Also known as Shark-Person
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In the sources
Account in the source
TraditionalDavis’s Shark-Person has lost its position in the Sea Dragon’s palace. Totaro takes it into his household and gives it a place in his garden pond.
Further detail
TraditionalWhen its benefactor becomes distressed, the creature weeps. The fallen tears become glowing rubies in the tale.
Context & interpretation
The Shark-Person is a figure in Davis’s narrative, not a documented marine species or a verified source of gemstones. The source’s racialised descriptions and comparisons are not adopted here. Its gratitude and tears remain story events, distinct from the Dragon King of Lake Biwa.
Original passages
Source 1
Myths and Legends of Japan
I was dismissed from this glorious dwelling for a very slight faultOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Davis, Myths & Legends of Japan, active reader leaf 407
Checked against the active prepared edition; reader leaf and original-page mapping verified, spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0407
- Original scan leaf
- 442
- Recorded leaf number
- 442
- Current Reader position
- 406
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Myths and Legends of Japan
they suddenly turned into glowing rubiesOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Davis, Myths & Legends of Japan, active reader leaf 409
Checked against the active prepared edition; reader leaf and original-page mapping verified, spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0409
- Original scan leaf
- 445
- Recorded leaf number
- 445
- Current Reader position
- 408
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Continue exploring
Baku
The composite creature called upon to consume an evil dream.
Same subject and traditionKappa
The water creature whose power and promises are explored in Davis’s river tales.
Same subject and traditionShojo
Red-haired sea beings and their sacred sake in Davis’s tale of Koyuri.