Umidebito - 海出人 - [Yokai]

• About this yokai •

Umidebito - [JP: 海出人] - So the story goes; An Umidebito was sighted one day in Fukushimagata lagoon, Niigata Prefecture area mid-April of 1849 - reports say that her glow was so Intense that it frightened everyone but there was also the voice of a human girl shouting out!! – Thankfully a samurai by the name of “Shibata Chūsaburō” was brave enough to approach, but the girl wasn’t human what awaited him was a beautiful shellfish mermaid!! - She proceeded to tell him: “I am an Umidebito who lives in these seas. A great harvest lasting five years will soon begin across the country. However, in November, an epidemic will spread and kill 60% of the population. Those who see me or a picture of me will be spared. Go quickly and spread this message!!” - After delivering her prophecy, she sunk back into the waves and was not seen again.

It’s another yokai similar to Amabie, Amabiko, Jinja hime etc. What’s interesting about this one is that there are 7 different variants: known collectively as [The 7 Mermaids of Fukushimagata Lagoon.] - Shellfish Mermaids, sometimes known as "Ningyo" but also fall under the catagory of "kaijin" or "glittering fish." – prophetic yokai who appeared in a lagoon in Niigata (in 1849 and the surrounding years.) - mentioned in "The Fujioka-ya Nikki" (Diary of Fujioka-ya) describing sixteen similar prints that where produced and sold as charms in the summer of 1852 during the summer months, when diseases where prevalent: Every single one of these mermaids where said to have given off a radiant, glowing light, deliver a prophecy of a great harvest, a warning of a terrible, epidemic and a blessing. (basically identical to yokai like Amabie (& more specifically Umidebito 海出人) – If you look at them, you'll supposedly survive the current problem & be well! - it never hurts to have more lucky yokai right?]

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