Bake-kujira (Japanese) — Ghost Whale

The Bake-kujira (Japanese: 化鯨, ghost whale) is a mythical Japanese yōkai (ghost, phantom, or strange apparition) from western Japan. It is described as being a skeleton whale that is accompanied by unknown fish and weird birds. It takes its revenge against people who hunt whales or eat whale meat, and does so by cursing them with plagues and fire. It is also known as Hone Kujira (骨鯨, bone whale).

In one story, a fisherman tries to catch it with his harpoon but the harpoon sailed right through it and the Bake-kujira floated away. In other stories people say that the Bake-kujira brings a curse and general misfortune to the area where it is spotted.