Amabie facts for kids
Amabie is a special creature from Japanese myths. It looks like a mermaid or merman but has three legs! People in Japan believe that Amabie comes out of the sea to tell people what will happen in the future. It often warns about good harvests or diseases.
Amabie's Legend
Long ago, people believed that an Amabie appeared to a government officer. This creature gave a very important message. It said that Japan would have a good harvest for six years! But it also warned that a disease might spread. To stop the disease, Amabie told the officer to draw its picture. Then, people affected by the illness should look at the drawing, and they would get better. People believe that similar stories about Amabie have been told in different parts of Japan.
Amabie and COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Amabie became very popular in Japan. Many people shared pictures of Amabie on social media, especially on Twitter. Famous Japanese manga artists, like Chica Umino and Mari Okazaki, drew their own versions of Amabie. They shared these cartoons online to help people feel hopeful and to remind them of the old legend about Amabie protecting against illness.
Images for kids
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Amabiko seen in Higo, painting, property of Kōichi Yumoto
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"Amabiko", illustrated in the Kōbunko encyclopedia.
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Yamawarawa (山童)
See also
In Spanish: Amabie para niños
