In the Taihei chronicles, the Itsumade is an ominous bird born from the spirit of a person who starves to death. It has the body of a snake, the face of a human, and the wings of a bird. It appears during times of plague. Its cry, "Itsumade!" is a plea for the dead of "How much longer?" till they are appeased.
"The transformed figure of a human killed by plague and famine. In old Japan, many fatalities were due to sickness and starvation. Normally, bodies were to be buried, but in some cases they were left alone. It is these types of corpses that gave rise to Itsumade. They cry, "Itsumade?" ("How long?") asking for a proper burial."
—Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Compendium
Devil Survivor 2
"A monstrous bird said to be a human left to die of disease of starvation. In the past, Japan suffered many deaths by plague and starvation. Usually the dead were buried, but in some cases, they were ignored. Itsumade would appear where such corpses were left, crying "Itsumade?" ("How long?") at those who abandoned the body."
