Ningyo - 人魚図 - [Yokai]

Ningyo - 人魚図 - "Human Fish."

Japans early concepts of mermaids where often far more fishy, over being conventionally attractive- With the face of a human and the full body of a fish: it was said that ningyo could cry tears of jewels & pearls, accurately predict the future, as well as cause storms and tsunami, most fishermen would sooner kick them over board rather than risk being cursed.

Ningyo meat: it was said that ingesting mermaid meat would cause one of two things: first, you could either be cursed: scales and gills would burst from your skin, painfully transforming you into a fish... or you could gain eternal youth. – which, as most granted wishes go seems great at first, but as these things often do, seems to become more of a curse more than a blessing, One very sad tale involving Ningyo meat is that of "yao-bikuni" (JP:八百比丘尼) – a wide spread folktale about a young girl who at a young age, accidentally ate some meat which  her father had left out, as a result, she stayed young for 800+ years: out living all of her family, friends and lovers...She eventually became a travelling nun for most of that time and eventually returned home, ending her own life because she was "done. (in some versions, turning to stone.) ...I'll leave it up to you if the mermaid sushi is worth while or not.

My sticker was Inspired by a woodblock print from 1805, currently owned by the waseda museum. - The text on the flair states that this particular mermaid was captured alive in Toyama bay - May 2nd, 1805 and that she was 10.6 meters (35ft) long. – There are actually several different drawings/woodblock fliers documenting this particular mermaid incident she might also be a variant of the yokai known as kamiike hime but this illustration is my favorite. 

see also: amabie, kamiike hime, Jinjahime

Sticker Art by @Samkalensky (yo thats me!) - Part of my Night parade of 100 Demons - Yokai & Japanese folklore sticker collection, weather-resistant 4" Glossy sticker. Check my shop & follow @samkalensky for many more! -