ningyo

Suijin, Yokai

Three legged mermaid rising from the water.

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.

Wood-block print of Amabie

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.

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Yokai Details

  • name: amabie ( ah-mah-bee-eh )
  • kanji: アマビエ
  • meaning: none
  • abilities:
    1. precognition — able to see the future
    2. disease nullification — stop any disease from spreading
Suijin, Yokai

Ningyo

You may have heard of the legend of a Buddhist priestess, of Wakasa province, that lived to 800 years. Interestingly enough, Yao Bikuni (八百比丘尼) did not gain longevity through mantra meditation or a healthy vegetarian diet. Instead, the reason for her prolonged life is because she ate the flesh of a yokai known as ningyo.

The ningyo is a sea yokai that is similar to the mermaids of the world. It has a fish tail as the bottom half and a human as the top. The ningyo is described as having golden shimmering scales and speaks with a soft melodious voice. But, unlike its alluring European counterpart, the Japanese mermaid has monkey-like mouth filled with needle sharp teeth.

Eternal Life

Ancient documents state that, eating the flesh of a ningyo will grant you longevity. The meat are described as having a pleasant taste with no fishy smell. Despite that, to catch a ningyo, intentionally or otherwise, is to bring misfortune to your family. Some records also claim that a ningyo found beached on shore is an omen of natural calamities such as tidal waves, earthquakes and/or typhoons.

The Wakasa legend tells of a man who returned from the mythical land of Hōrai with a special gift. His eldest daughter ate the souvenir which was the meat of a ningyo. Decades past and yet, the girl remained youthful. Eventually, she decided to become a priestess and traveled the nation, spreading the good word.

At the age of 800, Yao Bikuni (八百比丘尼) returned to Wakasa Obama. She entered a cave near the Yakui-mon gate of Kuin-ji Temple, and never left. Many assumed she has peacefully passed away, while few still believed that she is alive and continue to meditate within til this day.

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Yokai Details

  • name: ningyo (neen-gee-yoh)
  • kanji: 人魚 (にんぎょ)
  • meaning: human fish or mermaid
  • abilities:
    • longevity — consuming its flesh prolongs ones natural lifespan
    • hex — ability curse its captor with misfortune