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Cryptid

Basan - Fire Rooster

A giant fire-breathing rooster that haunts the mountains of Japan. Its flames cast no heat and burn nothing. The Basan appears at night, breathing its cold ghostly fire.

Ancient
Japan
100+ witnesses

The Basan is a mythological creature from Japanese folklore—a giant rooster that breathes ghostly fire.

The Legend

According to Japanese folklore:

The Basan:

  • Is a giant chicken or rooster
  • Breathes fire
  • The fire gives no heat
  • Lives in mountains
  • Appears at night

Description

The creature:

  • Resembles a large rooster
  • Has bright plumage
  • Breathes flames
  • The flames are cold
  • Makes a rustling “basa basa” sound

The Fire

Unique properties:

  • Produces no heat
  • Burns nothing
  • May be visible but intangible
  • Ghostly in nature
  • Harmless despite appearance

Behavior

The Basan:

  • Lives in bamboo groves
  • Comes out at night
  • Is generally harmless
  • Disappears when approached
  • Makes its distinctive sound

Origin

The name comes from:

  • “Basa basa” - the sound of wings
  • Regional mountain legends
  • Possibly misidentified birds
  • Fire phenomena in mountains

Sources

  • Japanese folklore documentation