Meaning of Isonade | Babel Free

Definitions

A mythological monster that resembles an enormous shark, said to live off the coast of western Japan.

Japanese

Equivalents

Examples

“With more than 70% of the Earth's surface submerged beneath water, it comes as no surprise that throughout history mankind has been fascinated with the seas and oceans. In earlier years this fascination manifested itself in the form of fear and mystery; […] in Japanese stories, fierce winds would blow whenever Isonade, a shark-like sea monster, appeared.”

“Another Japanese giant fish is Isonade, a sharklike sea monster that causes strong winds and also capsizes boats or catches unwary fishermen with the hooks on its huge tail.”

“Nipponese sailors traveling along the western coast of Japan are warned to keep a weather eye open for the Isonade, akin in form to a huge shark with hook-like barbs on its tail. Much as the giant namazu catfish of Japanese legend is associated with earthquakes, the movements of the gigantic Isonade are said to be the source of sudden changes in sea currents and winds from the north.”

CEFR level