As the world continues to battle COVID-19 on the medical front, many have also began to battle it through the arts to support and comfort each other. In the Japanese twitter world, a yokai (a class of supernatural spirits that have been popularized in Japanese folklore) named Amabie has begun to resurface after over a century since its debut.
The story begins back in 1846 when glowing lights were seen along the coast of Higo Province in Kumamoto Prefecture. As the town officials went to investigate it, they were approached by Amabie. According to the sketch by officials, it had very long hair, a beak similar to that of a bird, covered in scales and had three legs. The Amabie addressed the officials and introduced itself as Amabie and delivered a prophecy, “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”. This encounter was published in the papers the next day a long with a wood block printing of what it looked like.
As COVID-19 ravages throughout Japan, people have taken Amabie to social media to bring hope to Japan and the rest of the world to bring an end to the pandemic.
Once this pandemic subsides, we hope to be able to take you on tours in Tokyo to learn more about supernatural spirits and folklore’s like this!
