A note from the KI Stircazy Desk: Apparently, there is an obake, half-human and half-cow, known as “Kudan” 「件（くだん） - the kanji indicates “person cow”」who lives in Ariake Sea and appears when there is great fortune or misfortune (note: now is the latter). He seems to be receiving much attention recently. - William https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BB%B6