Toad - Toad

Japanese: ガマ(蝦蟇) - ガマ

A common name for toads. They are also known by other names such as "bikki" (bick), and hide in the shade during the day and emerge in the evening to catch insects and worms with their tongues. They are so fast that the insects seem to be naturally drawn into their mouths, hence the name "hiki". Toads, such as the Japanese common toad Bufo bufo japonicus (illustration), which is commonly seen in the gardens of Japanese homes, are commonly known as "gama" (toads). They are often used as ornaments as auspicious animals that attract what you want, such as the "Shiroku no Gama" (four-six toad) on Mount Tsukuba, known for the story of the "Toad Oil Seller," and are used in plays to transform into the character Jiraiya.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

ヒキガエルの俗称。〈びっき〉などの異名があり，日中物陰にいて夕方に現れ昆虫や蠕虫（ぜんちゆう）類を舌を出してとらえるが，すばやいため虫が自然に口中に引き込まれるように見え，〈ひき〉の名が出たらしい。日本の人家の庭でふつうに見られるニホンヒキガエルBufo bufo japonicus（イラスト）などヒキガエル類は，一般にガマと呼ばれ親しまれる。〈ガマの油売〉で知られる筑波山の〈四六のガマ〉をはじめ，望みのものを引き寄せる縁起のよい動物として置物にされたり，芝居では児雷也の変身に利用されたりする。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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