““If an epidemic occurs, draw a picture of me and show it to everyone.”

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The Amabie is a mythical Japanese Yokai, a class of supernatural monsters, spirits, and demons in Japanese folklore. The Amabie is drawn as a mermaid-like creature with long hair, a beak and three legs as are many other Yokai. According to the legend, the Amabie made several predictions related to bountiful harvests and, before disappearing back into the sea, left the locals with some advice in case of an epidemic.

She said: “If an epidemic occurs, draw a picture of me and show it to everyone.” In Japan, since the start of the corona virus epidemic, this has been taken to heart and many new pictures of the Amibie have appeared on social media. The one pictured above was drawn by my youngest son while we are sheltering-in-place.

I am struck by the polarity of the Amibie: announcing either a disaster -an epidemic, or a source of good news -a bountiful harvest, and noticing that we are actually experiencing a form of this polarity right now through the amazing display of solidarity, love and compassion while this horrific COVID-19 pandemic is taking place. Both are here at the same time. And I want to ask you the question:

Which Beautiful Harvests Are You Bringing During This Pandemic?

And, the Amabie reminded me of another three-legged Yokai, the Yatagarasu of Kumano Kodo (see my Women’s Pilgrimage Fall 19) that is represented throughout the ancient pilgrimage route with a slightly different symbol at each of the three major shrines of Hongu, Nachi and Hayatama.

The three legs are interpreted as Heaven, Earth and Humankind. This symbolizes that heaven, earth, and humankind all come from the same source, and are like siblings to each other. Again, how striking that a three-legged bird would be there to remind us that we are all connected and in this together!

Please feel free to share below your answers to the question “which beautiful harvests are you bringing during this pandemic?”. Be well.