C.++Werewolf+legends+in+Eastern+Europe,+Asia,+and+the+Pacific+Rim


 * C. Werewolf legends in Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Rim **
 * 1) =====Latvia - Vilkacis=====
 * 2) ===== Slovakia - Vulkodlaks / **Daniel O. (A3)**  =====
 * 3) =====Australia – Irrinja / **Zach T. (A3)** =====
 * 4) =====Bulgaria – Vrkolak **Kari F. (B1)** =====
 * 5) =====Japan – kitsune / **Royce R. (A3)** =====
 * 6) =====Japan – tanuki / **Joe M. (A3)** =====
 * 7) =====Phillipines – aswang / **Audrey J. (A3)** =====
 * 8) =====Russia – wawkalak / **Christian I. (A1)** =====
 * 9) =====Russia – bodark, oborot / **Jeremy S. (B1)** =====

Slovakia - Vulkodlaks / Daniel O. (A3)

The work "Vulkodlaks" is a word that is used to refer to vampires and or werewolves. It is said that they have red hair and lips, pale skin full of spider veins, and bright blue eyes. Their breathing is can also be similar to a corpses. When they turn into a wolf, their eyes glow, their hair is mattered and rank, and their teeth grow largely and curve. Also, their skin and flesh starts to constantly fall off. Oddly enough, this strange creature still has many flesh and skin to still shed. Vulkodlaks are also violent creatures apparently rise form the graves. It is said that any wolf or wolf-like creature that is killed during the gibbous moon phase will turn into a Vulkodlaks. (R.M.G.C.L.F.). They state that Vulkodlaks are so intelligent that they could basically act like a human being. They are smart enough to buy property and even have conversations with people. The Vulkodlaks would gather in masses in the winter months and they would strip off their wolf skins and hang it from trees (When the Freaks come out). This action that the Vulkodlaks has to be one of the strangest things that Werewolves commit. The Vulkodlaks would then also take another Vulkodlak's skin and burn it, releasing the Vulkodlak from where the skin came from its curse.

**Australia – Irrinja / Zach T. (A3)**
[]

In the Australian outback there is a legend of a demon dog that is called the Irrinja. This odd werewolf tale isn’t based around the moon but rather sand. The legend has it that the Irrinja has the shape of a man. This is left open to the imagination due to the fact that it sounds like it’s a devil dog that takes the shape of a man and a wolf. The legend also states that the man lies down at the coming of the sandstorm. This tells us that this particular werewolf is independent of lunar intervention but instead is in need of a sandstorm which makes this werewolf very peculiar. (Monstrous) The legend says that there is a sound which is that of the call of the butcher bird. When this sound is made by the bird, the dune housing the man that lied down opens to reveal a snarling devilish-looking werewolf that is ready to hunt for human flesh. (Pope) This werewolf legend, in contrast to the majority of other legends, is very interesting because not only is the transformation peculiar, but the fact that the legend leaves open ends as to what exactly causes the man to lie down in the sand and take the shape of a wolf as well. The tale of the Irrinja is one that plagues the Australian outback and will for generations to come.

Japan – Kitsune / Royce R. (A3

An awesome picture of a Kitsune. [] The Kitsune is one of Japan’s many deities or spirits that roam around the entire country. In Japanese folklore, the kitsune (fox) and tanuki (racoon dog) are masters of transformation, as is the Tengu, the bird-man goblin of the forest and mountain. Some say the fox and tanuki are only manifestations of the powerful Tengu, who is revered as the slayer of vanity and pride (Mark Schumacher). Basically saying, the Kitsune is more of a wiser “werewolf” than the ones we see on movies. This explains the increase of their power is by age and not by brute strength alone. The most powerful foxes are those who reach the grand old age of 1,000 (the so-called nine-tailed fox). When a kitsune gains nine tails, its fur becomes silver, white, or gold, and it gains the power of infinite vision (Mark Schumacher). Yet, the kitsunes are also renowned tricksters that love to take forms of seductive women and lure any unworthy men into their grasp, but they also reward and protect deserving people. = Philippines – aswang / Audrey J. (A3) =

In the Philippines there is a mythical creature said to be lurking around in the night time feeding on children, pregnant women, or simply sick people. So many people believe that the aswang is a both a vampire and werewolf. However, other say it’s a witch because it can shape shift into anything it desires. Most people see the aswang portraying as a woman with long messy hair, long nails, blood shot eyes, and a long black tongue (Micha F. Lindemans). In order to turn into an aswang the folklore was said that after you ate human liver during a full moon you start to get hairy all over, get blood-shot red eyes, and suddenly have the urge to eat more human liver. The folklore was also said to be that the creature would sneak into your home and attack the children or the sick when everyone is sound asleep (Rex Raymond Torrecampo). Even late at night the aswang would wait patiently in the bamboo trees to find a human that is vulnerable and soon attack them and eat their liver. In order to keep the aswang away and keep your family safe you had to put “bawang” (garlic), all around your house. Usually the Filipinos who do believe in the aswang just tell their “apos” (grandchildren) or “anak” (kids) this myth because they don’t want them to stay out late at night or just to scare them so they won’t do anything bad. They usually say “Pagawaan mo yun chores mo o ang aswang ay makakakuha ka!” (Do your chores or else the aswang will get you).

Russia – bodark, oborot /Jeremy S. (B1)



[] The one type of werewolf found in Russia is called “Bodark” which is how we say it in places other than Russia. In Russia this werewolf is “oborot” which means “one transformed (Baring-Gould).” This type of werewolf was said to be once a person, but instead of being forced to transform to a werewolf like the others, he actually wants to be one (Kate). This is significant, because you have free will to choose if you want to become one or not unlike the many of other ways you could turn into a werewolf. For people who want to it seems like a person who would want to do this might be to get back at someone or just let out aggression. Many people join the military to protect their loved country of course, but you qould have to think that some people that join the military probably join to let out aggression that they have been holding in their entire life. This is basically what becoming a Bodark is, but you are just protecting yourself, not a whole nation. In order for the person to become a werewolf they would need to stab a copper knife into a tree. While holding the knife in the tree they are supposed to repeat this chant: // “On the empty pasture gleams the moon, on an ashstock lyingIn a green wood, in a gloomy vale.Toward the stock wandereth a shaggy wolf.Horned cattle seeking for his sharp white fangs;But the wolf enters not the forest,But the wolf dives not into the shadowy vale,Moon, moon, gold-horned moon,Cheek the flight of bullets, blunt the hunters’ knives,Break the shepherds’ cudgels,Cast wild fear upon all cattle,On men, on all creeping things,That they may not catch the grey wolf,That they may not rend his warm skin My word is binding, more binding than sleep,More binding than the promise of a hero.” // (Kate) After the tree has been stabbed and the person said the lines, he would run into the forrest changing into a werewolf (Kate). Becoming a Bodark Werewolf can also be someone someone who is just board in life and wants some more excitement by re-inventing who they are in this world. By going through all these steps you would have to think that person is no longer a human even before it is official that he is a werewolf.

=Japan – tanuki / **Joe M. (A3)** =



In reference from the folktale, the Tanuki is a Japanese racoon-dog/badger that originally was a "wicked animal," (Ozaki) but changed as time went on. In the original folktale, the badger (English translation for Tanuki) was a michevious animal who spoiled all of the farmer's crops (Ozaki). The farmer caught the badger to make soup out of it, but the badger escaped, killed the farmer's wife, made soup from the remains, transformed into the dead wife to fool the farmer, and fed it to the farmer (Ozaki). The Japanese folktale depicted the Tanuki as a self-centered animal, which is similar to werewolves in that they are masters at shape-shifting. The modern day Tanuki went from being an evil animal to "one more interested in encouraging generosity and cheerfulness among winers and diners than in annoying humankind with its tricks," (Schumacher). The modern day Tanuki are also being used as mascots and advertising (Schumacher). The modern day Tanuki is one that promotes good-fortune and wealth. The Tanuki from the folktale went through a complete makeover, going from an evil spirit to one who means to help bring spirits up.

=Russia - Wawkalak/ Christian Imperial (A1)= Wawkalak, "Secret Saturdays"



The Wawkalak is one of a few White Russians werewolves. The story behind the Wawkalak is that, the Wawkalak is a were wolf who has endured the wrath of the Devil. For that, the “evil ones” has transformed the person into a wolf (Baring- Gould). The term for all werecreatures in Russian is “Oborotnyk” or “Oboroten”, also known as The Changing One (Where’s the Were?). After transformation, he is sent off to his friends and families. Unlike other werewolves and other creatures, the Wawkalak is not as violent as people perceive it to be. In fact, the Wawkalak does no mischief or violence. Instead he testifies his affection for his companions by licking their hands. Yet, the Wawkalak cannot stay at any one place for too long. The Wawkalak longs for the change of scenery, and is driven to travel from house to house (Baring-Gould). These are the presets situated by the “evil ones.”

Bulgaria – Vrkolak **Kari F. (B1)**


The “Vrkolak” is the Bulgarian version of the werewolf. The vrkolak is unique because it is said that it the vrkolak visit battlefields at night and suck the breath out of dying soldiers (“Werewolf Bulgaria”). Also, the death of this beast it is said to turn into a vampire (“ Werewolf Bulgaria”). Most believe that these to creatures are two separate things. Last, it is also said the in its beast form enters homes and steals infant babies (“ Werewolf Bulgaria”). It doesn't say why the animal takes babies. Though the vrkolak it just another name for werewolf, there is a very unique legend behind the creature.

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