Dear Diary, 

You know what almost never pops up in Western folklore? Whales. So, when I heard about Bake-kujira I knew I had to dig deeper into the story. Bake-kujira isn't just any old whale. Legend has it that this spectral cetacean glides silently through the night waters covered in seaweed and barnacles. The whale is followed by dying fish and strange, diseased birds. But the twist? Bake-kujira takes the form of a skeleton that glows an eerie yellowed white in the moonlight and haunts the seas like a phantom.

But wait, it gets even more intriguing. This ghostly whale isn't just out for a midnight swim to freak out some sailors. It's said to bring with it a curse or bad luck to the communities it appears before. Imagine waking up to see this majestic, yet terrifying creature emerging from the misty sea, knowing it might be a harbinger of doom. Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it! 

Although the origins of this story are vague, sailors who have survived Bake-kujira attacks report rowing out to sea after thinking a whale has washed closer to the shore. In that case, they took the opportunity to go hunt the animal and that's where the trouble began. Bake-kujira would not find this very funny and attack the sailors, sinking their ships. 

What's even more captivating is the symbolism behind Bake-kujira. In Japanese folklore, whales are often seen as symbols of strength and protection. But a ghostly whale? That's not good. Some say it represents the spirits of whales hunted to extinction, seeking revenge or justice. Others believe it's a reminder of the consequences of human greed and environmental destruction. But I say, hey, why not both? Maybe we can actually try to learn from this ancient lesson and care more about our oceans and the life that lives in it. 

But diary, don't worry, you won't find me out on a boat anytime soon!

Xoxo, 

Maria