It is March 2020 and a global pandemic is declared. The number of Covid-19 (Coronavirus Disease) cases have reached 0.2 million. Additionally, the Japanese government is doing everything it can to curb the outbreak across Japan. Interestingly, the popularity of a healing yokai is also on the rise. Draw Amabie. Share it on social media. Fight and beat the Coronavirus disease.
Origin of Amabie
While the ningyo is popular in Japanese culture, Amabie is hidden in the annals of an Edo-period newspaper. The story begins with an object glowing red off the coast of Higo Province (Kumamoto Prefecture). After many nights of the eerie glow, a town official finally decided to investigate on boat. Suddenly, the scaly yokai appeared out of the waves and approached him. The creature identified itself as Amabie and said,
Good harvest will continue for six years from the current year; if disease spreads, show a picture of me to those who fall ill and they will be cured.
Nagano, Eishun (長野栄俊) (2005), “Yogenjū amabiko—amabiko wo tegakari ni” 予言獣アマビコ考—「海彦」をてがかりに, Jakuetsu Kyōdoshi Kenkyū (若越郷土研究), 49 (2): 1–30, archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-16, retrieved 2016-06-29
Subsequently, Amabie returned to the sea. The official rushed back to shore and shared his tale. The story was printed and spread on kawaraban.
Appearance
Accordingly, town official created a sketch to describe Amabie. The “mermaid” has long hair and is scaly from neck down. Additionally, the suijin is three-legged and has a bird’s bill. Although the description is brief, it is enough to spark interest in many artist to draw the fortune-telling yokai.
Sharing is Caring
Recently, there are thousands of interpretations of Amabie on social media. And the number is still growing. In fact, it is important to draw Amabie in our pandemic times. We have to share the legend. Join us in the fight against Coronavirus disease. Please, spread the image of Amabie as a reminder to wash your hands thoroughly. Also, remember social distancing.
Yokai Details
- name: amabie ( ah-mah-bee-eh )
- kanji: アマビエ
- meaning: none
- abilities:
- precognition — able to see the future
- disease nullification — stop any disease from spreading
