The Karura (迦楼羅) is a huge, fire-breathing creature from Japanese mythology.
Origin
Karuka is based on the original Hindu mythical divinity Garuda, transmitted to Japan via Buddhism. The Karura is often mistaken for the Hōō (鳳凰), or Phoenix.
Appearance
Karura has the body of a human and the face or beak of an eagle.
Powers
The Karura is said to be the enemy of snakes and dragons, feeding on the latter, as the Garuda is the enemy of the Nagas (sentient serpents). Only a dragon who possesses a Buddhist talisman, or one who has converted to the Buddhist teaching, can escape from the Karura.