Drawing by yōkai master Mizuki Shigeru
It is said that drawing can elicit a relaxed mindset, and we can’t think of anything better to draw at this time than the amabie.
The amabie (アマビエ) is a mythical mermaid-like creature considered to be one of the yōkai, a class of spirits, monsters, and demons, from Japanese folklore.
Stories of the amabie were first popularized during the Edo period (1603-1868) at the end of Japan’s isolationism. As legend has it, a scale-covered spirit with long hair, a beak and 3 legs appeared off the coast of Kumamoto, Japan, revealing prophecies about upcoming harvests and potential destruction from infectious disease.
Before disappearing back into the sea, the creature shared advice for surviving epidemics.
the original Edo Era tile carving, courtesy Kyoto University Digital Archives
According to records, the yōkai said,
“If an epidemic occurs, draw a picture of me and show it to everyone.”
Seeing and distributing amabie’s image was thereafter believed to serve as protection from disease.
The legend has recently resurfaced in Japan, and it stands to reason that artistic renderings of the amabie are now flooding social media.
JASH is joining in the #AmabieChallenge to share hope for safety and good health in the face of COVID-19. You will find amabie-inspired art from the JASH staff below.
We invite you to create an amabie of your own. Share your creation by emailing lhurley@jas-hou.org or tag us on social media with #Kayo美Kai.
