thumb|A statue depicting a wingless Karura from [[Kōfuku-ji, Nara, 8th century.]]
thumb|An illustration from an 1866 Japanese book. Karura, who is an incarnation of [[Guanyin|Bodhisattva Kannon in this scene, gives a sermon to folks.]]
The is a divine creature with a human torso and birdlike head in Japanese mythology.
The name is a transliteration The Japanese Buddhist version is based upon Hindu Mythology. The same creature may go by the name of . fire-breathing,
One famous example is the Karura statue at Kōfuku-ji, Nara, amongst the eight deva statues presented at the Buddhābhiṣeka dated to the year Tenpyō 6 or 734, pictured top right).
See also
::::::* Avalerion
::::::* Garuda
::::::* Kalaviṅka
::::::* Kinnara
::::::* List of avian humanoids
::::::* List of Zatch Bell! characters
::::::* Tengu
::::::* Utawarerumono