The Forbidden Feast: Japan’s Mermaid Flesh Legend
When most Westerners imagine a mermaid, they picture a beautiful, singing siren similar to Disney’s Ariel. However, in the deep, mist-covered history of Japanese folklore, the Ningyo (mermaid) is a far stranger—and darker—creature. Far from a fairytale romance, the most famous Japanese legend involving these beings revolves around a forbidden taboo: eating their flesh to gain eternal life.
For travelers and culture enthusiasts, the legend of the “Mermaid Flesh” offers a fascinating glimpse into Japan’s relationship with mortality, nature, and the supernatural. This is the story of the Ningyo and the tragedy of the eight-hundred-year-old nun.
Origins of the Ningyo
Unlike their Western counterparts, traditional Japanese mermaids are rarely depicted as beautiful women with fish tails. In classic ukiyo-e woodblock prints and ancient texts, the Ningyo is often described as a grotesque hybrid. They might possess a monkey’s mouth, small fish-like teeth, shining golden scales, and a voice like a skylark or a flute.
Historically, sightings of these creatures were not considered good omens. According to ancient beliefs, if a Ningyo washed ashore, it was often a harbinger of war, storms, or a tsunami. However, despite their ominous appearance, a whisper persisted through the centuries: their flesh was incredibly delicious and held the secret to agelessness.
The Legend of Yao Bikuni
The most poignant and famous story regarding the consumption of mermaid flesh is the tale of Yao Bikuni (The Eight-Hundred-Year-Old Buddhist Nun).
The Accidental Feast
As the folklore goes, a fisherman in the Wakasa province (modern-day Fukui Prefecture) once caught a strange, fish-like creature he had never seen before. Unaware that it was a Ningyo, he prepared the meat and invited his friends for a feast. However, one of the guests peeked into the kitchen, saw the grotesque head of the creature, and warned the others not to eat it. The guests, polite but terrified, hid the meat in their sleeves to discard later.
However, one guest, upon returning home, was greeted by his young daughter who was crying from hunger. In a moment of distraction, he gave her the hidden piece of meat. She ate it with delight, noting its exquisite taste. The father panicked, expecting her to be poisoned, but she remained healthy and vibrant.
The Curse of Longevity
Years passed, and the girl grew into a beautiful woman. She married, but while her husband aged and eventually died, she remained frozen in her youthful prime. She married again, and again, outliving husbands, children, and grandchildren. The blessing of eternal youth slowly curdled into a curse of endless solitude.
Unable to bear the pain of losing everyone she loved, she shaved her head and became a nun (Bikuni). She wandered across Japan planting trees and helping the poor, eventually returning to Wakasa. Legend says she finally ended her life at the age of 800, having seen enough of the world’s joy and sorrow.
Modern Culture and Media
The trope of mermaid flesh granting immortality has permeated modern Japanese pop culture, proving that the ancient fear and fascination remain relevant.
- Rumiko Takahashi’s Mermaid Saga: perhaps the most famous adaptation, this manga and anime series depicts the violent struggle of immortals trying to regain their mortality after eating mermaid flesh.
- Video Games: The horror game Siren (Forbidden Siren) heavily utilizes the mythology of the Yao Bikuni and the consumption of strange celestial entities to achieve eternal life.
- Blade of the Immortal: While not strictly about mermaids, the concept of the “bloodworms” granting immortality mirrors the body horror and burden of the Ningyo legends.
Traveler’s Tips: Tracing the Legend in Fukui
If you are a traveler drawn to the mystical and the macabre, you can visit the heart of this legend in Obama City, Fukui Prefecture.
Where to Go
- Kūin-ji Temple: This temple is deeply associated with the legend. It houses a cave where Yao Bikuni is said to have spent her final years in meditation. The temple grounds possess a serene, somewhat melancholic atmosphere perfect for reflection.
- Mermaid Terrace: Located along the coast of Obama Bay, this area features statues commemorating the legend, offering a photo opportunity against the backdrop of the Sea of Japan.
- Sancho-machi District: Walk through the preserved historical streets of Obama to get a feel for the era in which the nun might have wandered.
Local Delicacies
While you certainly cannot (and should not) eat mermaid flesh, Obama is famous for its seafood, particularly mackerel (saba). Enjoying a sushi meal here connects you to the fisherman’s heritage of the region—just stick to the fish you recognize!
Sources & Further Reading
For those interested in the academic and historical roots of these legends, consider exploring the following texts:
- Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): One of the oldest books of classical Japanese history (720 AD) which records the sighting of a “human-fish” in the province of Settsu.
- Kojiki: While it focuses on gods, it sets the stage for the animistic worldview where such creatures exist.
- Kwaidan by Lafcadio Hearn: Although focusing on ghosts, Hearn’s collections are essential for understanding the tone of Japanese folklore.
The legend of the mermaid flesh serves as a beautiful, haunting reminder: the beauty of life lies not in its length, but in its impermanence.