Changes

* Japanese: 狼 ''(Ookami)''

* Japanese: 狼 ''(Ookami)''

Ôkami is the Japanese name for the creature commonly called the Japanese wolf (Canus lupus hodophylax), which became extinct in 1905, though there have been many sitings since, mostly concentrating around the Kii Peninsula.  Because of its small size and stature, there is some dispute as to whether it was an actual wolf, the term "wolf-dog" being given as a possible alternate.  In fact, the term ''yama inu'' (山犬, "mountain dog") is a common Japanese term for the wolf.   

Ôkami is the Japanese name for the creature commonly called the Japanese wolf (Canus lupus hodophylax), which became extinct in 1905, though there have been many sigtings since, mostly concentrating around the Kii Peninsula.  Because of its small size and stature, there is some dispute as to whether it was an actual wolf, the term "wolf-dog" being given as a possible alternate.  In fact, the term ''yama inu'' (山犬, "mountain dog") is a common Japanese term for the wolf.   

==Ôkami in Folk Belief==

==Ôkami in Folk Belief==

The contradicting, equally benign and perilous natures of the wolf are characteristic of some animals in Japanese folklore.  The wolf is a guardian when it is properly attended to and cared for, but can develop a grudge toward mankind if slighted or mistreated.  Thus, as a moral judge, the wolf's actions mirror humanity's own.  As John Knight says, "Japanese wolf lore tells not of good or bad wolves but of good or bad people." (143)   

The contradicting, equally benign and perilous natures of the wolf are characteristic of some animals in Japanese folklore.  The wolf is a guardian when it is properly attended to and cared for, but can develop a grudge toward mankind if slighted or mistreated.  Thus, as a moral judge, the wolf's actions mirror humanity's own.  As John Knight says, "Japanese wolf lore tells not of good or bad wolves but of good or bad people." (143)   

==Ôkami in Folktales==

==Ôkami in Folktales==

In "The Wolf's Eyebrows", a suicidal man goes into the mountains in order to find a wolf to devour him.  When he meets one, he falls to his knees, and, shortly after, demands to know why the wolf does not eat him.  The wolf replies that they do not eat just anyone; only those who are actually animals disguised as humans.  When asked how the wolf distinguishes the two groups when they both look like men, the wolf replies that his eyebrows show him a man's true form, and lends the man an eyebrow hair.  The man goes off, and toward nightfall begs for shelter at the nearest house.  The old man there is kind, but his old wife refuses.  Remembering the eyebrow hair, the man decides to test it, and holds it to his eye: instead of two people, he sees the old man standing next to an old cow.  This folktale expresses the notion, again, that wolves are judges of character, and can somehow tell who is a good person and who is a bad person (an animal).   

In "The Wolf's Eyebrows", a suicidal man goes into the mountains in order to find a wolf to devour him.  When he meets one, he falls to his knees, and, shortly after, demands to know why the wolf does not eat him.  The wolf replies that they do not eat just anyone; only those who are actually animals disguised as humans.  When asked how the wolf distinguishes the two groups when they both look like men, the wolf replies that his eyebrows show him a man's true form, and lends the man an eyebrow hair.  The man goes off, and toward nightfall begs for shelter at the nearest house.  The old man there is kind, but his old wife refuses.  Remembering the eyebrow hair, the man decides to test it, and holds it to his eye: instead of two people, he sees the old man standing next to an old cow.  This folktale expresses the notion, again, that wolves are judges of character, and can somehow tell who is a good person and who is a bad person (an animal).   

==References==

==References==