(Fukuoka, Japan) – Ten baby white snakes have hatched simultaneously at a Shinto shrine in Okawa, Fukuoka Prefecture in a rare event. The shrine’s caretaker believes that this unusual occurrence may bring blessings, including prosperity and fertility, encouraging visitors to experience the sight.
The Sampo Jinja Shrine was established in 1985 by Misao Sato, an 86 year old furniture shop owner, on the grounds of his home. Initially dedicated to trees, which were vital to Sato’s livelihood, the shrine later became a place of worship for white snakes, believed to be symbols of financial luck. Sato’s wife, Satomi, now 75, takes care of the shrine’s five white snakes, including the parents of the new hatchlings.
Earlier this year, the snakes named Jaja and Ammi mated around May or June, with Ammi laying 12 eggs in July. Between September 3 and 5, ten of these eggs hatched. The newborn snakes, each around 30 centimeters long, now reside with their parents in a specially designed 20-square-meter “white snake house” on the shrine grounds. Visitors can view them through a glass window.
The Satos are no strangers to hardship. Misao, originally from Hiroshima Prefecture, faced significant challenges throughout his life. He witnessed acquaintances suffer from the atomic bombing during World War II, survived the 1959 Isewan Typhoon (also known as Typhoon Vera), and experienced the collapse of the furniture company he founded in his 30s following the energy crisis of the 1970s. Despite these setbacks, Misao says that his life improved dramatically after establishing the shrine.
The birth of the ten snakes marks the first time such an event has occurred at the shrine, and Sato believes this signifies good fortune. “We have been keeping white snakes for nearly 30 years, but this is the first time that 10 of them have hatched at once. They seem to bring good luck,” he said.
| Details of the Rare Hatch | Facts |
|---|---|
| Number of eggs laid | 12 |
| Number of snakes hatched | 10 |
| Length of newborn snakes | 30 cm |
| Date of hatching | Sept. 3-5 |
The rare occurrence has drawn attention, with the Satos inviting visitors to the shrine, which has become a symbol of luck and resilience for many in the region.
