【Designated by the City:Ancient Document, Book】Sword and Ancient Document
The Yookyuki (1727) describes the origin of Uzunushu as follows:
Long, long ago, there lived Uzunushu, head of Irabu Village, who was prominent in strength among all men and so brave that he could even dismiss demons. In those days, a big shark occasionally appeared in the sea between Hirara and Irabu. It wrecked ships sailing across the ocean and killed many. People were all afraid to go to Hirara, and traffic and trade was shut down. The people on the island eventually suffered from dire poverty.Gravely concerned about the situation, Uzunushu determined that he would save the troubled people even if it meant giving up his own life. One day, he made a pledge at Byazu Utaki and pulled out a small boat alone to fight against a big shark. The shark swallowed him and the boat altogether.
Inside the stomach of the shark, however, he drew his sword and cut its abdomen. The shark died, and the next day, Uzunushu was found washed up on the shore of Byazu, and had died.Villagers tearfully buried Uzunushu and have since then enshrined him as the secondary god of Byazu Utaki.
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