In the Legend of the Three Lakes, Hachirotaro's wanderings are directly linked to the formation of the three bodies of water. Hachirotaro, a matagi in Kazuno, broke a taboo by keeping three char to himself. Driven by an unquenchable thirst, he transformed into a dragon, dammed Lake Towada, and took up residence there[1]. Before long, an ascetic monk named Nansobō arrived from Kumano, seeking the title of lord of the lake. After a fierce battle of magical powers lasting seven days and seven nights, Hachirotaro was defeated, and Nansobō became the master of Lake Towada[3]. The exiled Hachirotaro attempted to dam a river in Kazuno but was thwarted by local deities. Guided by the god of the Nanakura mountains, he headed for a vast plain. At the crow of a rooster, the earth split open to create Hachirōgata, where he finally settled as its lord[2]. Later, he began visiting Lake Tazawa to court Princess Tatsuko, who had also transformed into a dragon. It is said that because Hachirotaro spends every winter at Lake Tazawa, Hachirōgata freezes over thickly, while Lake Tazawa—warmed by the presence of two dragons—remains deep and unfrozen even in winter[4]. Around Hachirōgata, he is still worshipped as a water god today, a faith carried on in the shrines of Ōgata Village and the festivals of Katagami City[2].