The belief in ningyo (merfolk) as real creatures continued in Japan until the end of the Edo period
The belief in ningyo (merfolk) as real creatures continued in Japan until the end of the Edo period (1603–1868). Stories of the creatures regularly surfaced from different provinces, including an account of ningyo appearing to legendary figure Prince Shōtoku.They were often considered as bad omens during the medieval period, but took on the prophetic, warning role in later times as diseases like smallpox and measles spread, with the mermaid-like jinja hime (shrine princess) later being associated with pandemic-busting Amabie. A ningyo mummy from the Enjuin temple in Asakuchi, Okayama Prefecture, has recently been the focus of study to determine its age and authenticity. -- source link