Now is the time to borrow the power of the prophetic beast

Hello, this is Hasumi Haru.

As we do not know how long the fight against the invisible enemy, COVID-19, will continue, I believe that people not only in Japan but all over the world are living in fear every day.

The yokai Amabie has been gaining attention thanks to social media, but with the infection continuing to spread around the world, is it enough to simply offer prayers to Amabie?

In fact, Amabie is not the only creature that has the power to ward off evil spirits.

This time, we will introduce the four prophetic beasts, along with Amabie.

Kudan (items)

Kudan was a monster known throughout Japan in the 19th century, and is said to have made various prophecies.

As the kanji character [件] indicates, it is half human and half cow.

This woodblock print says that in December 1835, a monster with a human face and a cow's body named "Gen" appeared on Mount Kurahashi in Tango Province.

It also says, "The picture appeared again in December of the second year of the Hoei era, and thereafter good harvests continued. If you hang up a picture of this picture, your household will prosper and you will be able to avoid epidemics, and you will be able to avoid all disasters and enjoy a bumper harvest."

The year 3036 was when the Great Tenpo Famine was occurring, and this woodblock print reflects people's desperate desire for help.

Jinjahime (Shrine Princess)

Jinjahime is a monster that is said to have appeared in Hizen Province (present-day Nagasaki and Saga prefectures) during the Edo period.

It has a human face with two horns and a fish-like body.

She is classified as a mermaid, but she is very different from Ariel...

The shrine princess appeared on the beach in Hizen Province,

"I am the Shrine Princess, a messenger from the Dragon Palace. There will be good harvests for the next seven years, but after that there will be an epidemic of cholera. However, if you look at a picture of me, you will be able to avoid these misfortunes and enjoy long life."

He then apparently left the place.

Amabiko (Amahiko)

Like Amabie, Amabiko is said to have appeared in Higo Province.

Its name is similar to Amabie, with only one character difference, but its appearance is different from Amabie, being a monster with a monkey-like body and three legs.

There is also a theory that Amabiko is the original name, with Amabie being a misspelling.

A woodblock print from the Edo period tells of a rumor that every night in Higo Province, the voice of a monkey would call out to people, and when Shibata Saemon heard the rumor and headed to the scene, he encountered a monkey-man-like monster.

And like the other prophetic beasts, Amabiko,

"If you post a picture of yourself, you will be able to avoid plague and disaster."

And with that he left.

Mystery of the Prophetic Beast

There are commonalities in what prophetic beasts, including Amabie, say.

it is,

"It's a good idea to hang up a picture of yourself to avoid disaster."

That is what it means.

It is true that this has led to a theory that they were written as a way to sell woodblock prints.

However, I think I can now understand the feelings of people who want to cling to something if there is something they can cling to.

It might be a good idea to learn from the teachings of our ancestors and have copies of not only Amabie but also the other prophetic beasts.

Either way, I hope this situation will be resolved quickly.