It is said to live in the mountains of Iyo Province (today Ehime Prefecture). According to the description on the illustration, it resembles a large chicken and breathes ghost-fire from its mouth. It is described as having a bright red cockscomb and spits an equally brilliant-hued fire. The fire is a cold fire, a glow, and it does not burn.^[1]

It usually lives in the bamboo groves of mountain recesses but sometimes materializes in human villages late at night. When the Basan flaps its wings, an eerie rustling ("basa basa") sound can be heard. The alias (‘Basabasa’) comes from the sound of the flapping wings. Supposedly, if a human hears the sound and looks outside, the bird's form will suddenly vanish.^[1] It is sometimes depicted with blue hackles and claws, green regimes and sickle feathers, and a red body. It is also sometimes called the "Fire Rooster".

• The Pokémon family of Torchic, Combusken, and Blaziken are based on the Basan, as well as Magmar.

• Cockatrice

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