Amabie: Japan's Three-Legged Plague-Fighting Yokai

What in the Blazes is Amabie (アマビエ)?

Fancy a bit of Japanese folklore with a side of pandemic protection? Then let us introduce you to the Amabie, or アマビエ as it’s known in its native tongue. This rather peculiar yokai is a mermaid-like creature, but with a few extra quirks that set it apart from your average mythical sea siren. Imagine long, flowing hair atop a scaly body, finished off with a bird-like beak and, perhaps most notably, three distinct legs or fins. Quite the looker, wouldn’t you say? Oh, and it apparently glows from the sea too.

The Chilling Tale of Amabie’s Debut

Our dear Amabie isn’t exactly an ancient, oft-sighted phenomenon. In fact, there’s only one well-documented appearance of this specific yokai, dating back to April 1846. This was during Japan’s Edo period, in the Higo Province, which we now know as Kumamoto Prefecture. Locals kept spotting a mysterious, glowing light emanating from the sea night after night. Spooky, right?

A brave government official, bless his cotton socks, was sent to investigate. As he approached the eerie glow, Amabie surfaced, introducing itself by name. It then proceeded to drop some serious prophecies on the poor chap before promptly disappearing back into the briny deep. Talk about a dramatic exit!

Amabie’s Prophecy: Bumper Crops and Bad Bugs

So, what did this three-legged marvel have to say for itself? The Amabie’s message was a bit of a mixed bag. Firstly, it foretold a rather cheerful period of six years with abundant harvests. Great news for farmers, naturally. However, it also warned of an impending, widespread plague. Not so great, unfortunately.

But fear not, for Amabie offered a solution, a sort of supernatural prescription for the coming illness. It instructed the official to draw its likeness and share the image with everyone. Displaying a picture of Amabie, it claimed, would protect people from the disease. This rather unique form of protection was then spread via woodblock prints, known as ‘kawaraban,’ which were essentially Edo-era newspapers.

Interestingly, some scholars suggest Amabie might actually be a variant or even a misspelling of another prophetic yokai, the Amabiko. While both share the disease-warding prophecy and multi-legged nature, Amabiko is often described as more ape-like, sometimes sporting four legs instead of three. But hey, who’s counting legs when there’s a plague to avert?

Amabie: Your Pandemic Pal?

Fast forward to 2020, and Amabie made an unexpected, yet perfectly timed, comeback. During the global COVID-19 pandemic, this obscure Edo-period yokai suddenly became a social media sensation in Japan. People rediscovered its plague-warding abilities, and its image exploded across the internet.

Artists, illustrators, and the public alike began drawing, painting, and crafting their own versions of Amabie, sharing them widely as a symbol of hope and resilience. Even Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare hopped on the bandwagon, using Amabie in public service announcements. From cute cartoons to traditional woodblock styles, Amabie was everywhere, reminding everyone of a classic Japanese method to combat the unseen foe. Quite the glow-up for a centuries-old sea creature, wouldn’t you agree?

More Japanese Yokai to Keep You Up at Night

While Amabie is certainly a fascinating and benevolent yokai, especially in times of crisis, the world of Japanese folklore is teeming with far more sinister and unsettling creatures. If you’re a fan of things that go bump in the night, you’ll find plenty to delve into beyond our three-legged friend.

The chilling tales of Yurei, Japan’s vengeful ghosts, will have you checking under the bed.
Urban Legends like the infamous Kuchisake-onna (Slit-Mouthed Woman) offer modern scares.
And of course, the vast menagerie of other yokai, from the mischievous Kappa to the terrifying Oni, ensures there’s always something new to fear.

So, next time a strange light appears in the sea, maybe take a drawing of Amabie with you. Just in case. You can never be too careful with these things, can you?