Amabie

According to legend, Amabie appeared in Higo Province (Kumamoto Prefecture), around 1844-1846. It is said that almost nightly, a glowing object had been spotted in the sea. Curiously, the town's official went to the coast to investigate, and it was there that they witnessed the Amabie.

It had a mouth like bird's bill, and was covered in scales from the neck down. The Amabie, spoke to the official and identified itself as Amabie. It told him that it lived in the open sea and was here to deliver a prophecy: "Good harvest will continue for six years. However, if disease spreads show a picture of me to those who fall ill and they will be cured." Afterwards, it returned to the sea. The story was printed in the kawaraban (inexpensive one sheet news bulletins), where its’ likeness was printed, and this is how the story spread throughout Japan.