Year of the Snake

2025/01/29

Takayuki Suzuki

Professor, Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Metropolitan University

1999 Faculty of Science and Technology, 2001 Master's in Faculty of Science and Technology

I graduated from the Department of Applied Chemistry in the Faculty of Science and Technology in 1999. Afterward, I ventured into the field of developmental biology—a discipline that did not exist within Keio at the time—seeking a new frontier. Since then, I have conducted my research with the conviction of "Jigo-sakko" (creating history by venturing into uncharted territory), which is one of the core spirits of Keio University.

The snake, this year's zodiac animal, has long been an object of human interest, not just for scientists, because of its exceptionally long body compared to other animals. Recently, we succeeded in elucidating the molecular mechanism behind why a snake's body is so long. The snake's body shape, often described as thin and long, is caused by the high number of vertebrae in the thoracolumbar region that makes up the trunk. First, we identified the function of the Gdf11 gene as the gene that determines the number of thoracolumbar vertebrae. We discovered that in snakes, the timing at which this gene begins to function during development is extremely late. Consequently, the formation of the trunk section does not end as quickly as in other animals, resulting in an organism with a long body. By a strange coincidence, my own zodiac sign is also the snake.

Kaori Munakata

Ph.D. in Medicine, Certified Pharmacist in Kampo Medicines and Crude Drugs; 2005 Master's in medical sciences, 2009 Ph.D. in Medicine

The snake, this year's zodiac animal, is also used as a crude drug. Its medicinal name is "Hanpi," and in Japan, it primarily refers to the dried body of a pit viper (mamushi) with its internal organs removed. The name Hanpi comes from the fact that the snake's nose is upturned (warped), and it was originally thought to be a member of the habu snake family, though it seems the pit viper was used as a substitute in Japan. While Hanpi is not included in general Japanese Kampo formulas, it is frequently used in folk medicine as a restorative tonic and is found in medicinal wines, supplements, and energy drinks. Meanwhile, ancient Chinese pharmacological texts record its efficacy for skin diseases, numbness, convulsions, paralysis, emaciation, chest pain, and abdominal pain.

Snakes, which repeatedly shed their skin, evoke the idea of rebirth. From the fact that Genbu—the god of the north among the Four Symbols governing the cardinal directions in ancient Chinese thought—is a turtle-snake hybrid, and that snakes are sacred creatures that cure diseases in Greek mythology, we can see that humans have felt a special power in snakes since ancient times. This may be why people sought special medicinal effects from snakes and used them as crude drugs.

Yuma Oto

Nietzsche Researcher, Knorr-Bremse Commercial Vehicle Systems Japan Ltd.; 2017 Faculty of Letters, 2020 Master's in Faculty of Letters

The German philosopher Nietzsche, whose 125th death anniversary falls this year, once said: "The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die. As well the minds which are prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be mind" (Daybreak, Section 573). Whether a snake actually dies if it cannot molt is a question I would leave to the expertise of snake researchers and veterinarians, but according to Nietzsche, if a person lacks the ability to "molt" by changing their opinions, they are as good as dead as a thinking spirit.

Nietzsche criticized such stubborn people, calling them "fanatics." This is contrasted with the "free spirit." Free spirits possess an adventurous heart and a flexible attitude, capable of experimentally taking in various thoughts. On the other hand, narrow-minded fanatics who lack that power require some form of faith or conviction. Nietzsche also says: "Convictions are prisons" (The Antichrist, Section 54).

Currently, I work in an office surrounded by greenery in Saitama Prefecture. I wonder if I will see a snake's shed skin somewhere this year. Or perhaps, its remains.

Toru Ishikawa

Professor, Faculty of Letters, Keio University

Many snakes appear in works of Japanese literature, and they are depicted beautifully and grandly in picture books and scrolls. While these scrolls are often displayed in museums and galleries for Year of the Snake exhibitions, I sometimes find myself a bit puzzled.

Is this a snake, or a dragon? Is it appropriate for a Year of the Snake exhibition, or is it a painting for the Year of the Dragon? In fact, in Japanese picture scrolls, paintings of snakes and dragons look very similar. It is not just the art; the stories themselves are ambiguous.

In the "Tale of Tawara Toda," which belongs to the Otogi-zoshi genre, the text states that a giant snake lies across the Seta Bridge. However, when that giant snake transforms into a beautiful woman and appears before Tawara Toda (Fujiwara no Hidesato), she invites him to the Dragon Palace. Since only the daughter of the King can invite someone to the Dragon Palace, the giant snake must have been the daughter of a dragon. Furthermore, in the classic "Urashima Taro," Princess Otohime is the incarnation of a turtle. Naturally, Otohime is the daughter of the King of the Dragon Palace. Unintentionally, in Japan, snakes, dragons, and turtles are treated as almost identical. All are deeply related to water, and in old paintings, their faces and necks all look very similar.