Waniguchi 鰐口

Waniguchi (鰐口), the “Crocodile Mouth,” is a spiritual guardian of the shrine—a circular, metal bell that has lived through so many prayers and ceremonies that it has developed a scaly body and a sharp, defensive mind.

Meaning and Origin

The name literally means “Crocodile Mouth” (wani - crocodile/shark, guchi - mouth).

This is a classic Tsukumogami (object-spirit). The waniguchi is a real type of bronze bell found at the entrance of nearly every Shinto shrine in Japan. Its name comes from the long, horizontal slit at its base, which looks like the gaping mouth of a reptile. When such a bell reaches its 100th year of service, or if the shrine it serves is abandoned, the bell is said to manifest a body to protect the sacred ground it once graced.

Characteristics

A Waniguchi yōkai retains the heavy, bronze bell as its head. From the “mouth” of the bell, it sprouts sharp, iron teeth and a long, flickering tongue. Its body is long and serpentine, covered in dark, metallic scales that clatter like armor as it moves.

Despite its draconic look, the Waniguchi is primarily a benevolent spirit. During the day, it is indistinguishable from a normal shrine bell, hanging silently for worshippers to ring. Only at night does its ethereal body manifest, allowing it to patrol the temple grounds. It is said to be “friendly” to those who are faithful and respectful, but utterly ruthless toward thieves or vandals.

Legends

One famous tradition involves the monk Ikkō Shōnin. Legend says he was once gifted a magical waniguchi bell by the god Hachiman. When his travels took him across a great bay, the Dragon King of the Sea requested the bell as a gift to the undersea palace. Ikkō cast the bell into the waves, where it was immediately transformed into a living creature.

Years later, while Ikkō was praying on a distant shore, a giant tortoise emerged from the surf with the bell on its back, returning it to the monk as a sign of divine gratitude. This legend reinforces the idea that a Waniguchi is more than just a tool; it is a creature that exists in two worlds—the heavy world of metal and the fluid, magical world of the divine.