The Japanese Ningyo: More Than Just a Little Mermaid
When most Westerners hear the word “mermaid,” images of Disney’s Ariel or the beautiful sirens of Greek mythology likely spring to mind—creatures of beauty, song, and romance. However, travel further East to the archipelago of Japan, and you will encounter the Ningyo (人魚). Translated literally as “human fish,” these creatures are far removed from the romanticized versions found in European folklore. They are ancient, often grotesque, and steeped in a history that intertwines the desire for immortality with the tragedy of eternal life.
For cultural travelers and folklore enthusiasts, understanding the Ningyo offers a fascinating glimpse into the Japanese psyche, where the supernatural world of yokai (spirits and monsters) bleeds into recorded history.
Origins: A Fish with a Human Face
The origins of the Ningyo date back to some of Japan’s earliest written records. Unlike the Western mermaid, which is typically depicted as a beautiful human from the waist up and a fish from the waist down, the traditional Ningyo is more bestial. Historical descriptions often paint a picture of a creature that is more fish than human.
According to classic texts, a Ningyo might possess a fish’s body with golden scales, but with a human face that looks vaguely simian or monkey-like. They are often described as having sharp teeth like a piranha, fingers with long claws, and a voice that sounds like a flute or a crying infant.
One of the earliest recorded sightings dates back to the 7th century, recorded in the Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan). It describes a strange being caught in a river in Settsu Province (modern-day Osaka/Hyogo). These early accounts treated the Ningyo not necessarily as monsters to be feared, but as omens—sometimes of a bountiful catch, but more often of coming storms, war, or calamity.
The Legend: The Curse of Immortality
While the physical appearance of the Ningyo is unsettling, the mythology surrounding its flesh is what truly captivates the imagination. In Japanese folklore, the Ningyo is not famous for its singing, but for its meat. It is said that consuming the flesh of a Ningyo grants the eater eternal youth and longevity, but this gift often comes as a curse.
The Story of Yao Bikuni
The most famous legend associated with the Ningyo is the tale of Yao Bikuni (The Eight-Hundred-Year-Old Nun). As the story goes, a fisherman in the Wakasa Province once caught a strange fish. Unaware of its true nature, he served the meat at a banquet. One guest, suspicious of the meat’s appearance, hid it in his robe to discard later. However, his young daughter found the meat and ate it.
The girl stopped aging. She eventually married, but while her husband grew old and died, she remained a youthful teenager. She married again and again, watching parents, children, and lovers wither away while she remained unchanged. Overcome with the sorrow of outliving everyone she loved, she eventually became a nun (bikuni) and wandered Japan planting trees. She eventually starved herself to death or entered a cave to meditate eternally after living for 800 years. This tale underscores a common Japanese theme: that immortality is a form of stagnation and tragedy, rather than a blessing.
Modern Culture and Media
Today, the Ningyo remains a potent symbol in Japanese pop culture, though its representation has evolved.
In the realm of anime and manga, the Ningyo is a staple. The distinct horror of the immortality curse is explored famously in Rumiko Takahashi’s Mermaid Saga, which depicts the violent and tragic consequences of eating mermaid flesh. In video games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and the Nioh series, the Ningyo appears as both enemy and environmental storytelling, keeping the grotesque aesthetic of the Edo period alive.
Furthermore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a related yokai known as Amabie—a mermaid-like creature with a beak and three legs—went viral in Japan. Legend states that showing a picture of an Amabie can ward off plagues, proving that the cultural relevance of these water spirits is far from dead.
Traveler’s Tips: Seeking the Ningyo
For travelers visiting Japan, you cannot dive into the ocean to find a Ningyo, but you can visit their “remains.” During the Edo period, taxidermists created “mermaid mummies” by stitching the upper bodies of monkeys onto the bodies of large fish. These were sold to Western sailors or kept in temples as sacred relics.
Here are a few places where you can see these curious artifacts today:
- Tenshou-Kyousha Shrine (Fujinomiya, Shizuoka): This shrine claims to house the oldest mermaid mummy in Japan. It is a spiritual site, so please approach with respect.
- Myochi-ji Temple (Kashiwazaki, Niigata): This temple houses a small, dried mermaid that is occasionally put on public display.
- Ryuguji Temple (Fukuoka): Known as the “Dragon Palace Temple,” this site claims to house the bones of a mermaid that washed ashore in the 13th century.
Note: Many of these artifacts are considered sacred and are often kept in shrines or temples. Photography may be prohibited, so always check signage or ask permission before snapping a photo.
Sources & Further Reading
To deepen your understanding of the Ningyo and Japanese mythology, the following texts are essential:
- Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): One of the oldest books of classical Japanese history, containing the earliest mentions of human-fish encounters.
- Konjaku Monogatarishu: An anthology of tales from the past that includes various yokai stories.
- Yokai Attack! The Japanese Monster Survival Guide by Hiroko Yoda and Matt Alt: A modern, accessible guide to the creatures of Japanese folklore.