【 The Black Bull and the Bear 】 Classic Japanese Folktale

“The Black Bull and the Bear” is a Japanese folktale that captures the complex relationship between man, nature, and the animals that inhabit it. The story centers around a man and his fighting bull, Kuro, who forms an unexpected rivalry with a bear. As the tale unfolds, we are led to question the ethics of competition and the cost of victory.

Japanese Title: Kuroushi to Kuma / 黒牛と熊
Translation: The Black Bull and the Bear
Location: Iwate Prefecture / 岩手県

Contents

The Story of 【 The Black Bull and the Bear 】

Once upon a time, there was a man who raised a fighting bull. He had a magnificent black bull named Kuro, whose horns were thicker than a man’s arm. Kuro moved with the majesty of a great black boulder and had never lost a fight. The man was very proud of him.

One year, Kuro didn’t get an invitation to the annual bullfighting event. When the man inquired why, the event organizers said, “Kuro is too strong. No one wants to fight him.”

Disappointed, the man returned home. Kuro, having no opponent to fight, seemed to be restless in his stable. “Sorry, Kuro,” said the man, “I’ll find you an opponent someday.”

One morning, Kuro was missing from his stable. After much searching, the man found him returning, exhausted and sweaty like never before. Kuro lay down as soon as he entered the stable.

The next morning, Kuro was gone again. When he returned, he was just as tired as the previous day. The morning after that, the man woke up early and followed Kuro quietly.

Kuro walked deep into the mountains and arrived at a clearing surrounded by trees. The bull stood still, then lowed softly as if signaling something. Soon after, a large bear emerged from the opposite forest. The two animals locked eyes for a moment.

Kuro charged first, lowering his head and rushing at the bear. The bear stood on its hind legs and swatted at Kuro’s head. Kuro skillfully caught the swat with his horns. They pushed against each other a few times but eventually came to a standstill, glaring into each other’s eyes. Suddenly, they separated and went their own ways.

The man had an idea to make Kuro win. Late at night, he applied oil to Kuro’s horns while he was asleep.

The next morning, Kuro left again, and the man followed. The bear was already in the clearing and charged at Kuro as he arrived. Kuro tried to lift the bear, but the bear’s paws slipped due to the oil, and Kuro’s horns pierced the bear’s flank. The bear was lifted into the air, fell, and was pierced again by Kuro’s horns. It died.

The man ran up, elated. But Kuro was just staring blankly at the distant mountains. From that day on, he stopped eating and gradually withered away. Eventually, he disappeared from his stable and was found lying next to the bear’s carcass in the clearing. He had passed away.

The man regretted applying oil to Kuro’s horns. He carefully buried both Kuro and the bear and built a shrine to honor them.

Notes of 【 The Black Bull and the Bear 】

Cultural Background

Japanese Folklore

The story reflects common themes in Japanese folklore, such as the interconnectedness of humans and nature.

Bullfighting in Japan

Unlike Spanish bullfighting, which pits man against bull, Japanese bullfighting, known as “Tōgyū,” involves two bulls fighting each other. It’s seen as a form of entertainment and a test of a bull’s strength.

Spirituality and Animals

The story addresses the concept of spiritual bonds between animals, and between animals and humans. Building a shrine for the departed souls is a common practice in Japan to honor them.

Glossary

TERM

Tōgyū (闘牛)

This is Japanese bullfighting where bulls fight each other rather than humans. It is considered a traditional event and has its own set of rituals and ceremonies.

TERM

Kuro (クロ)

The name of the black bull in the story. “Kuro” means “black” in Japanese.

TERM

Nio-dachi (仁王立ち)

This term describes the bear standing on its hind legs. It refers to the standing posture of Niō, the wrath-filled and muscular deities often seen at the entrance of Buddhist temples in Japan.

TERM

Yashiro (社)

A Shinto shrine. In the story, the man builds a yashiro to honor and memorialize Kuro and the bear.