From Ainu Folklore
The divine bat did not come down from Paradise, but was made by God in this world. He is a very precious bird and exceedingly wise. It is said that a person named Ponyaumbe had a town upon the mountains of Tomisanpechi. Now it happened that Ponyaumba was continually and in many ways being persecuted and hard put to it by the demons, and this led him to make war upon them. But as he was such a mighty deity, the demons could not withstand him, for he conquered them wherever he met them. By and by, as a certain war as just beginning to be brought to a successful issue, the demon of contagious disease came with a large number of boats to the harbour of Tomisanpechi. All his army landed, and drew their boats up on the sea shore, and there pitched their tents. The divine Ponyaumbe was very much annoyed with this invasion: “I am a deity sent down from heaven to defend Ainu-land. Ever since I have been in this country the demons have never caused to persecute me, and I have surely seen much trouble. Still, I have never yet been overcome. But now the devil called ‘the demon of disease’ has come with a multitude of fiends, and pitched his tent upon the shores of our harbour. Ainu-land has till this day been lying in profound peace, and must not be disturbed. But even granting that we should fight here, there would not be sufficient space to carry on such a grievous war. I will therefore descend to Hades, and do battle there. For understand this, the ‘demon of contagious disease’ is such a dreadful being that if one but catches the scent of him he must soon die. When this war has been brought to an end I will ascend to heaven.”
Ponyaumbe next sought for a mighty deity to take care of his castle during his absence. At last, after much searching, he came upon a bat, to whom he said: “You alone are strong enough to watch over my castle, come and take care of it for me.” Ponyaumbe then fastened on his armour, girded himself with his belt, buckled on his sword, took his bow in his hands, and went out. Then the bat came and took charge of the castle. In this way again it is known that the bat is a very brave and wise deity.
The castle upon the top of Tomisanpechi originally came down from heaven, and it was the castle that the bat came to take care of. These are the reasons that come people offer libations to the bat. After a time a demon came to the castle, who upon seeing the bar, said: “O thou divine bat, you are doubtless placed here to defend the home of the gods; come and let us measure our strength.”
The bat therefore took up the challenge, and said he would fight. The demon thereupon took a poisoned arrow from his bosom and shot the bat dead. He did not need to shoot twice, for he fell over at once. His flesh suddenly died up and his bones all fell apart. The demon then entered the castle and took possession.
As soon as he had gone in, the bat, though he had been killed, yet got up, and with a smile on his face walked in after the demon. The demon was dreadfully surprised to see him. But the bat quickly glided round behind him to where the poisoned arrows were, seized them, and in his turn shot at and slew the demon. The bat was therefore a very wise and precious bird; he slew the dreadful demon. For this reason he is to be worshipped.
Source:
The Ainu and Their Folk-Lore, John Batchelor, 1901
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