establish a breeding program. Although Asa Zoological Park has not released any offspring to streams, it has a capacity to carry out a headstarting program if needed. Cultural references The Japanese giant salamander has been the subject of legend and artwork in Japan, for example, in the ukiyo-e work by Utagawa Kuniyoshi. The well-known Japanese mythological creature known as the kappa may be inspired by the Japanese giant salamander. There is a giant salamander festival every year on August 8 in Yubara, Maniwa City, Okayama prefecture to honour the animal and celebrate its life. The giant salamanders are called "Hanzaki" in Yubara, due to the belief that even if they are ripped in half (han) they continue to survive. There are two giant salamander floats: a dark male and a red female. As of 2017, a picture book entitled "Zakihan" was also published in both Japanese and English wherein the main character is a "hanzaki" called "Zakihan". See also List of Special Places of Scenic Beauty, Special Historic Sites and Special Natural Monuments References Further reading Stejneger L (1907). Herpetology of Japan and Adjacent Territory. United States National Museum Bulletin 58. Washington, District of Columbia: Smithsonian Institution. xx + 577 pp. (Megalobatrachus japonicus, pp. 6–11). Temminck CJ (1836). Coup-d'oeil sur la Faune des Iles de la Sonde et de l'Empire du Japon. Discours préliminaire destiné à servir d'introduction à la Faune du Japon. Amsterdam: Müller. 30 pp. (Triton japonicus, new species). (in French). External links Andrias japonicus at CalPhotos Discovery Channel Video on the giant salamander BBC report Cryptobranchidae Endemic amphibians of Japan Amphibians described in 1836