You can helpexpand this article with text translated fromthe corresponding article in Japanese. (February 2018)Click [show] for important translation instructions. View a machine-translated version of the Japanese article. Machine translation, likeDeepL orGoogle Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedia. Consideradding a topic to this template: there are already 1,560 articles in themain category, and specifying|topic= will aid in categorization. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. Youmust providecopyright attribution in theedit summary accompanying your translation by providing aninterlanguage link to the source of your translation. A model attribution edit summary isContent in this edit is translated from the existing Japanese Wikipedia article at [[:ja:アッコロカムイ]]; see its history for attribution. You may also add the template{{Translated|ja|アッコロカムイ}} to thetalk page. For more guidance, seeWikipedia:Translation.

Akkorokamui (Japanese:アッコロカムイ, Ainu:At-kor-kamuy) is a giganticoctopus-likemonster fromAinufolklore, similar to the NordicKraken, which supposedly lurks inUchiura Bay inHokkaido.^[1] It is said that its enormous body can reach sizes of up to 120 metres (390 feet) in length.^[2] Its name can be translated as "tentacle-holdingkamuy."^[3]

According to legend, Akkorokamui was once a gigantic spider named Yaushikep who lived in the mountains nearby a village named Rebunge. One day, Yaushikep descended down to Rebunge and caused havoc. Fearing for their lives, the villagers prayed to the gods to save them. Their prayers were answered by the sea godRepun Kamuy, who pulled Yaushikep into Uchiura Bay. It is said that Yaushikep turned into a giant octopus who took over the bay as its god and since then, he has been known by the villagers as At-kor-kamuy or Akkorokamui.^[3]

Ainu reverence of this monster has permeated intoShinto,^[4] which has incorporated Akkorokamui as a minorkami. Self purification practices for Akkorokamui are often strictly followed. While Akkorokamui is often presented as a benevolent kami with powers to heal and bestow knowledge, it is fickle and has the propensity to do harm. Akkorokamui's nature as an octopus means that it is persistent and it is near impossible to escape its grasp without permission.^{[citation needed]}

Akkorokamui enjoys the sea and offerings which reflect this: fish, crab, mollusks, and the like are particular favorites of Akkorokamui, which give back that which it gave. Homage to Akkorokamui is often for ailments of the limbs or skin, but mental purification and spiritual release is particularly important.^{[citation needed]}

Akkorokamui is characteristically described with the ability to self-amputate, like several octopus species, and regenerate limbs. This characteristic manifests in the belief in Shinto that Akkorokamui has healing powers. Consequently, it is believed among followers that giving offerings to Akkorokamui will heal ailments of the body, in particular, disfigurements and broken limbs.^[5]

Shrines in dedication to Akkorokamui and associated octopus deities are found throughout Japan.^{[citation needed]}

• In theBob's Burgers episode "Flu-ouise", some of Louise Belcher's toys are revealed to be named after Japanese legendary creatures, including an octopus called Akkoro Kamui. They come to life in a fever dream Louise goes through, with Akkoro Kamui sounding like her mother Linda. They also appear inThe Bob's Burgers Movie.

• Kraken
• List of cryptids

• Ainu legendary creatures
• Mythological cephalopods
• Mythological molluscs
• Mollusc deities
• Health gods
• Ainu kamuy
• Shinto kami
• Mythological monsters
• Sea monsters

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