Akugyo: Japan's Terrifying Mermaid with a Fiery Temper

Akugyo: Japan’s Terrifying Mermaid with a Fiery Temper

Fancy a dip in the deep blue waters off Japan? You might want to think twice. Lurking beneath the waves is a rather unpleasant sea monster, a fearsome aquatic yokai known as Akugyo (悪魚). Meaning “evil fish” or sometimes “evil tower”, this colossal creature isn’t exactly charming. Forget friendly dolphins; Akugyo is here to ruin your day, and perhaps, eat you whole. It’s also known by rather grander titles like daigyo (giant fish) or even raichōgyo (thunderbird fish).

What Exactly Does Akugyo Look Like?

If you’re picturing a dainty, Disney-esque mermaid, prepare for a shock. Akugyo is an enormous beast. Imagine the head and arms of a human woman, which sounds pleasant enough. However, the rest of its body is decidedly fish-like, covered in dazzling, albeit menacing, gold and silver scales. As if that wasn’t enough, these aquatic horrors sport two rather prominent, white, oni-like horns sprouting from their heads. Oh, and did we mention they can spit fire? Because, naturally, a giant, horned, mermaid-fish hybrid that sinks ships also needs pyrotechnic capabilities.

Where Do These Monstrous Akugyo Lurk?

Akugyo prefer the open seas, a rather large hunting ground, wouldn’t you say? They are particularly fond of the waters near Kibi Province (modern-day Okayama Prefecture) and Echigo Province (which is now Toyama Prefecture). These monstrous fish spend most of their time in the murky depths. Not much is known about their “natural behaviour,” perhaps because anyone who gets close enough to observe them usually doesn’t live to tell the tale.

Tales from the Treacherous Seas

Fishermen, bless their brave souls, absolutely dread encountering Akugyo. And for good reason, really. These gargantuan creatures have a rather nasty habit of letting boats get stuck on their immense backs. Once firmly snagged, Akugyo then proceeds to capsize the vessel. What follows isn’t pretty: the drowning sailors become a rather convenient snack for the “evil fish”.

The Great Akugyo Hunt of 1805

One of the most famous sightings occurred in June 1805. An enormous Akugyo was spotted off the coast of Echigo Province. It was truly a sight to behold, measuring approximately 11 metres long. Its horns alone were over 60 centimetres! This particular Akugyo proved quite the nuisance. Eventually, Lord Matsudaira of Kaga decided enough was enough. He dispatched a formidable armada. We’re talking 1,500 men and 450 cannons, all sent to slay this aquatic menace. Spoiler alert: they succeeded. Good riddance, honestly.

Izutsuya Kanroku’s Musical Escape

Not all Akugyo encounters end in watery doom, thankfully. There’s a cracking tale about Izutsuya Kanroku, a famous taiko drummer from Kaga. His boat, naturally, got stuck on the back of Akugyo in the Sea of Japan. Poor Kanroku was convinced he was a goner. Facing certain death, he decided to go out with a bang. He played his taiko drum with every ounce of his energy. The booming sound was so incredibly loud that it travelled across the sky and through the entire sea. Miraculously, his boat was shaken loose from Akugyo. He escaped completely unharmed. Who knew a good beat could scare off a giant, fire-breathing mermaid? Perhaps this particular one just isn’t a fan of loud music.

Akugyo: A Timeless Terror

From ancient legends of heroes like Sarureio battling colossal sea monsters to more documented sightings, Akugyo has long terrified Japanese sailors. It remains a truly formidable creature in the vast pantheon of Japanese yokai. So next time you’re near the Japanese coast, keep an eye out. You wouldn’t want your pleasant boat trip to turn into Akugyo’s dinner party, would you?