A fish with a [human] face will bring a tsunami. Is this an actual Japanese wives' tale?












14















In the movie Ponyo when Sōsuke brings the fish he rescued to the nursing home his mom works at and shows it to the old ladies in wheelchairs, the grumpy old lady screams that a fish with a [human] face will bring a tsunami and demands he throws it back into the ocean.



Is this a real Japanese wives' tale, or just a quirk of this movie?










share|improve this question




















  • 1





    There's a Japanese culture site in SE, maybe you could try posting there?

    – apoorv020
    Sep 2 '11 at 5:43






  • 4





    @apoorv020 There isn't a Japanese culture site. There's Japanese Language, but it's specifically about the Japanese language; cultural questions are allowed only inasmuch as they are relevant to learning the language. I've advertised this question on their chat room, always a possibility for questions that are related to the theme of another site.

    – user56
    Sep 2 '11 at 6:27













  • I believe there is a legend or myth yes. I remember seeing something on discovery or NatGeo about it (could have been 10 years ago) but I do not remember what exactly it was. I do seem to remember it being about the japanese fishing culture. This was before the recent dolphin/whaling sh**storm so it was at least 5 years ago. I beleive the legend was if you released the fish unharmed all would be fine but if you kept it or it died then it would bring a giant wave to destroy your home. Though it may have been the reverse.

    – Chad
    Sep 2 '11 at 19:49


















14















In the movie Ponyo when Sōsuke brings the fish he rescued to the nursing home his mom works at and shows it to the old ladies in wheelchairs, the grumpy old lady screams that a fish with a [human] face will bring a tsunami and demands he throws it back into the ocean.



Is this a real Japanese wives' tale, or just a quirk of this movie?










share|improve this question




















  • 1





    There's a Japanese culture site in SE, maybe you could try posting there?

    – apoorv020
    Sep 2 '11 at 5:43






  • 4





    @apoorv020 There isn't a Japanese culture site. There's Japanese Language, but it's specifically about the Japanese language; cultural questions are allowed only inasmuch as they are relevant to learning the language. I've advertised this question on their chat room, always a possibility for questions that are related to the theme of another site.

    – user56
    Sep 2 '11 at 6:27













  • I believe there is a legend or myth yes. I remember seeing something on discovery or NatGeo about it (could have been 10 years ago) but I do not remember what exactly it was. I do seem to remember it being about the japanese fishing culture. This was before the recent dolphin/whaling sh**storm so it was at least 5 years ago. I beleive the legend was if you released the fish unharmed all would be fine but if you kept it or it died then it would bring a giant wave to destroy your home. Though it may have been the reverse.

    – Chad
    Sep 2 '11 at 19:49
















14












14








14


1






In the movie Ponyo when Sōsuke brings the fish he rescued to the nursing home his mom works at and shows it to the old ladies in wheelchairs, the grumpy old lady screams that a fish with a [human] face will bring a tsunami and demands he throws it back into the ocean.



Is this a real Japanese wives' tale, or just a quirk of this movie?










share|improve this question
















In the movie Ponyo when Sōsuke brings the fish he rescued to the nursing home his mom works at and shows it to the old ladies in wheelchairs, the grumpy old lady screams that a fish with a [human] face will bring a tsunami and demands he throws it back into the ocean.



Is this a real Japanese wives' tale, or just a quirk of this movie?







fairy-tales studio-ghibli ponyo






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 16 hours ago









Stormblessed

2,287733




2,287733










asked Sep 2 '11 at 2:53









KalamaneKalamane

4,21463572




4,21463572








  • 1





    There's a Japanese culture site in SE, maybe you could try posting there?

    – apoorv020
    Sep 2 '11 at 5:43






  • 4





    @apoorv020 There isn't a Japanese culture site. There's Japanese Language, but it's specifically about the Japanese language; cultural questions are allowed only inasmuch as they are relevant to learning the language. I've advertised this question on their chat room, always a possibility for questions that are related to the theme of another site.

    – user56
    Sep 2 '11 at 6:27













  • I believe there is a legend or myth yes. I remember seeing something on discovery or NatGeo about it (could have been 10 years ago) but I do not remember what exactly it was. I do seem to remember it being about the japanese fishing culture. This was before the recent dolphin/whaling sh**storm so it was at least 5 years ago. I beleive the legend was if you released the fish unharmed all would be fine but if you kept it or it died then it would bring a giant wave to destroy your home. Though it may have been the reverse.

    – Chad
    Sep 2 '11 at 19:49
















  • 1





    There's a Japanese culture site in SE, maybe you could try posting there?

    – apoorv020
    Sep 2 '11 at 5:43






  • 4





    @apoorv020 There isn't a Japanese culture site. There's Japanese Language, but it's specifically about the Japanese language; cultural questions are allowed only inasmuch as they are relevant to learning the language. I've advertised this question on their chat room, always a possibility for questions that are related to the theme of another site.

    – user56
    Sep 2 '11 at 6:27













  • I believe there is a legend or myth yes. I remember seeing something on discovery or NatGeo about it (could have been 10 years ago) but I do not remember what exactly it was. I do seem to remember it being about the japanese fishing culture. This was before the recent dolphin/whaling sh**storm so it was at least 5 years ago. I beleive the legend was if you released the fish unharmed all would be fine but if you kept it or it died then it would bring a giant wave to destroy your home. Though it may have been the reverse.

    – Chad
    Sep 2 '11 at 19:49










1




1





There's a Japanese culture site in SE, maybe you could try posting there?

– apoorv020
Sep 2 '11 at 5:43





There's a Japanese culture site in SE, maybe you could try posting there?

– apoorv020
Sep 2 '11 at 5:43




4




4





@apoorv020 There isn't a Japanese culture site. There's Japanese Language, but it's specifically about the Japanese language; cultural questions are allowed only inasmuch as they are relevant to learning the language. I've advertised this question on their chat room, always a possibility for questions that are related to the theme of another site.

– user56
Sep 2 '11 at 6:27







@apoorv020 There isn't a Japanese culture site. There's Japanese Language, but it's specifically about the Japanese language; cultural questions are allowed only inasmuch as they are relevant to learning the language. I've advertised this question on their chat room, always a possibility for questions that are related to the theme of another site.

– user56
Sep 2 '11 at 6:27















I believe there is a legend or myth yes. I remember seeing something on discovery or NatGeo about it (could have been 10 years ago) but I do not remember what exactly it was. I do seem to remember it being about the japanese fishing culture. This was before the recent dolphin/whaling sh**storm so it was at least 5 years ago. I beleive the legend was if you released the fish unharmed all would be fine but if you kept it or it died then it would bring a giant wave to destroy your home. Though it may have been the reverse.

– Chad
Sep 2 '11 at 19:49







I believe there is a legend or myth yes. I remember seeing something on discovery or NatGeo about it (could have been 10 years ago) but I do not remember what exactly it was. I do seem to remember it being about the japanese fishing culture. This was before the recent dolphin/whaling sh**storm so it was at least 5 years ago. I beleive the legend was if you released the fish unharmed all would be fine but if you kept it or it died then it would bring a giant wave to destroy your home. Though it may have been the reverse.

– Chad
Sep 2 '11 at 19:49












3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















16














It's probably a Ningyo.



From the linked Wikipedia article:




Ningyo (人魚, "human fish", often translated as "mermaid") is a fish-like creature from Japanese folklore. Anciently, it was described with a monkey’s mouth with small teeth like a fish’s, shining golden scales, and a quiet voice like a skylark or a flute. Its flesh is pleasant-tasting, and anyone who eats it will attain remarkable longevity. However, catching a ningyo was believed to bring storms and misfortune, so fishermen who caught these creatures were said to throw them back into the sea. A ningyo washed onto the beach was an omen of war or calamity.







share|improve this answer


























  • This seems like the best answer.

    – Kalamane
    Jun 25 '17 at 19:31



















2














There's a mythical creature called a Namazu - a giant catfish.



http://historyofgeology.fieldofscience.com/2011/01/namazu-earthshaker.html




According to Japanese myth the cause of earthquakes is the giant catfish Namazu or Namazu-e (the second term refers to the woodcuts of Namazu) living buried in the underground. Namazu is one of the yo-kai (in a very broad sense translatable as "monster"), creatures of Japanese mythology and folklore that were associated or caused misfortune or disasters. By moving his tail he can shake the entire earth and unfortunately he loves to cause trouble and havoc.




A giant catfish is not the same as a cute little fish with a human face, but this is the closest I can find.



Maybe I missed something on the wikipedia page?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_legendary_creatures_from_Japan



The wikipedia page does have many creatures that appear in Studio Ghibli films.






share|improve this answer

































    1














    Hayao Miyazaki is known for his fairy tale styled movies. They are not actual fairy tales, but they draw many elements from fairy tales. He also takes inspirations from modern fantasy authors.



    I don't think there may be a popular folktale about a fish with human face. But there are several creatures in many cultures/gods that have fishes with human face and some of them are quite capable of creating violent storms and other sea disasters. Hayao Miyazaki may have taken inspirations from them. Examples of such creatures/gods are: Mermaids, Sea Nymphs, Water Sprites, Sirens, Dagon (god), Kappa (Japanese water spirit) etc.



    Also the Disney DVD page says it is based on The Little Mermaid (may be a selling point).






    share|improve this answer

























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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      16














      It's probably a Ningyo.



      From the linked Wikipedia article:




      Ningyo (人魚, "human fish", often translated as "mermaid") is a fish-like creature from Japanese folklore. Anciently, it was described with a monkey’s mouth with small teeth like a fish’s, shining golden scales, and a quiet voice like a skylark or a flute. Its flesh is pleasant-tasting, and anyone who eats it will attain remarkable longevity. However, catching a ningyo was believed to bring storms and misfortune, so fishermen who caught these creatures were said to throw them back into the sea. A ningyo washed onto the beach was an omen of war or calamity.







      share|improve this answer


























      • This seems like the best answer.

        – Kalamane
        Jun 25 '17 at 19:31
















      16














      It's probably a Ningyo.



      From the linked Wikipedia article:




      Ningyo (人魚, "human fish", often translated as "mermaid") is a fish-like creature from Japanese folklore. Anciently, it was described with a monkey’s mouth with small teeth like a fish’s, shining golden scales, and a quiet voice like a skylark or a flute. Its flesh is pleasant-tasting, and anyone who eats it will attain remarkable longevity. However, catching a ningyo was believed to bring storms and misfortune, so fishermen who caught these creatures were said to throw them back into the sea. A ningyo washed onto the beach was an omen of war or calamity.







      share|improve this answer


























      • This seems like the best answer.

        – Kalamane
        Jun 25 '17 at 19:31














      16












      16








      16







      It's probably a Ningyo.



      From the linked Wikipedia article:




      Ningyo (人魚, "human fish", often translated as "mermaid") is a fish-like creature from Japanese folklore. Anciently, it was described with a monkey’s mouth with small teeth like a fish’s, shining golden scales, and a quiet voice like a skylark or a flute. Its flesh is pleasant-tasting, and anyone who eats it will attain remarkable longevity. However, catching a ningyo was believed to bring storms and misfortune, so fishermen who caught these creatures were said to throw them back into the sea. A ningyo washed onto the beach was an omen of war or calamity.







      share|improve this answer















      It's probably a Ningyo.



      From the linked Wikipedia article:




      Ningyo (人魚, "human fish", often translated as "mermaid") is a fish-like creature from Japanese folklore. Anciently, it was described with a monkey’s mouth with small teeth like a fish’s, shining golden scales, and a quiet voice like a skylark or a flute. Its flesh is pleasant-tasting, and anyone who eats it will attain remarkable longevity. However, catching a ningyo was believed to bring storms and misfortune, so fishermen who caught these creatures were said to throw them back into the sea. A ningyo washed onto the beach was an omen of war or calamity.








      share|improve this answer














      share|improve this answer



      share|improve this answer








      edited Jul 4 '12 at 16:02









      Gabe Willard

      16.5k1289123




      16.5k1289123










      answered Jul 4 '12 at 14:15









      KatKat

      17613




      17613













      • This seems like the best answer.

        – Kalamane
        Jun 25 '17 at 19:31



















      • This seems like the best answer.

        – Kalamane
        Jun 25 '17 at 19:31

















      This seems like the best answer.

      – Kalamane
      Jun 25 '17 at 19:31





      This seems like the best answer.

      – Kalamane
      Jun 25 '17 at 19:31













      2














      There's a mythical creature called a Namazu - a giant catfish.



      http://historyofgeology.fieldofscience.com/2011/01/namazu-earthshaker.html




      According to Japanese myth the cause of earthquakes is the giant catfish Namazu or Namazu-e (the second term refers to the woodcuts of Namazu) living buried in the underground. Namazu is one of the yo-kai (in a very broad sense translatable as "monster"), creatures of Japanese mythology and folklore that were associated or caused misfortune or disasters. By moving his tail he can shake the entire earth and unfortunately he loves to cause trouble and havoc.




      A giant catfish is not the same as a cute little fish with a human face, but this is the closest I can find.



      Maybe I missed something on the wikipedia page?
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_legendary_creatures_from_Japan



      The wikipedia page does have many creatures that appear in Studio Ghibli films.






      share|improve this answer






























        2














        There's a mythical creature called a Namazu - a giant catfish.



        http://historyofgeology.fieldofscience.com/2011/01/namazu-earthshaker.html




        According to Japanese myth the cause of earthquakes is the giant catfish Namazu or Namazu-e (the second term refers to the woodcuts of Namazu) living buried in the underground. Namazu is one of the yo-kai (in a very broad sense translatable as "monster"), creatures of Japanese mythology and folklore that were associated or caused misfortune or disasters. By moving his tail he can shake the entire earth and unfortunately he loves to cause trouble and havoc.




        A giant catfish is not the same as a cute little fish with a human face, but this is the closest I can find.



        Maybe I missed something on the wikipedia page?
        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_legendary_creatures_from_Japan



        The wikipedia page does have many creatures that appear in Studio Ghibli films.






        share|improve this answer




























          2












          2








          2







          There's a mythical creature called a Namazu - a giant catfish.



          http://historyofgeology.fieldofscience.com/2011/01/namazu-earthshaker.html




          According to Japanese myth the cause of earthquakes is the giant catfish Namazu or Namazu-e (the second term refers to the woodcuts of Namazu) living buried in the underground. Namazu is one of the yo-kai (in a very broad sense translatable as "monster"), creatures of Japanese mythology and folklore that were associated or caused misfortune or disasters. By moving his tail he can shake the entire earth and unfortunately he loves to cause trouble and havoc.




          A giant catfish is not the same as a cute little fish with a human face, but this is the closest I can find.



          Maybe I missed something on the wikipedia page?
          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_legendary_creatures_from_Japan



          The wikipedia page does have many creatures that appear in Studio Ghibli films.






          share|improve this answer















          There's a mythical creature called a Namazu - a giant catfish.



          http://historyofgeology.fieldofscience.com/2011/01/namazu-earthshaker.html




          According to Japanese myth the cause of earthquakes is the giant catfish Namazu or Namazu-e (the second term refers to the woodcuts of Namazu) living buried in the underground. Namazu is one of the yo-kai (in a very broad sense translatable as "monster"), creatures of Japanese mythology and folklore that were associated or caused misfortune or disasters. By moving his tail he can shake the entire earth and unfortunately he loves to cause trouble and havoc.




          A giant catfish is not the same as a cute little fish with a human face, but this is the closest I can find.



          Maybe I missed something on the wikipedia page?
          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_legendary_creatures_from_Japan



          The wikipedia page does have many creatures that appear in Studio Ghibli films.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Sep 20 '11 at 11:30

























          answered Sep 20 '11 at 10:58









          DanBealeDanBeale

          1295




          1295























              1














              Hayao Miyazaki is known for his fairy tale styled movies. They are not actual fairy tales, but they draw many elements from fairy tales. He also takes inspirations from modern fantasy authors.



              I don't think there may be a popular folktale about a fish with human face. But there are several creatures in many cultures/gods that have fishes with human face and some of them are quite capable of creating violent storms and other sea disasters. Hayao Miyazaki may have taken inspirations from them. Examples of such creatures/gods are: Mermaids, Sea Nymphs, Water Sprites, Sirens, Dagon (god), Kappa (Japanese water spirit) etc.



              Also the Disney DVD page says it is based on The Little Mermaid (may be a selling point).






              share|improve this answer






























                1














                Hayao Miyazaki is known for his fairy tale styled movies. They are not actual fairy tales, but they draw many elements from fairy tales. He also takes inspirations from modern fantasy authors.



                I don't think there may be a popular folktale about a fish with human face. But there are several creatures in many cultures/gods that have fishes with human face and some of them are quite capable of creating violent storms and other sea disasters. Hayao Miyazaki may have taken inspirations from them. Examples of such creatures/gods are: Mermaids, Sea Nymphs, Water Sprites, Sirens, Dagon (god), Kappa (Japanese water spirit) etc.



                Also the Disney DVD page says it is based on The Little Mermaid (may be a selling point).






                share|improve this answer




























                  1












                  1








                  1







                  Hayao Miyazaki is known for his fairy tale styled movies. They are not actual fairy tales, but they draw many elements from fairy tales. He also takes inspirations from modern fantasy authors.



                  I don't think there may be a popular folktale about a fish with human face. But there are several creatures in many cultures/gods that have fishes with human face and some of them are quite capable of creating violent storms and other sea disasters. Hayao Miyazaki may have taken inspirations from them. Examples of such creatures/gods are: Mermaids, Sea Nymphs, Water Sprites, Sirens, Dagon (god), Kappa (Japanese water spirit) etc.



                  Also the Disney DVD page says it is based on The Little Mermaid (may be a selling point).






                  share|improve this answer















                  Hayao Miyazaki is known for his fairy tale styled movies. They are not actual fairy tales, but they draw many elements from fairy tales. He also takes inspirations from modern fantasy authors.



                  I don't think there may be a popular folktale about a fish with human face. But there are several creatures in many cultures/gods that have fishes with human face and some of them are quite capable of creating violent storms and other sea disasters. Hayao Miyazaki may have taken inspirations from them. Examples of such creatures/gods are: Mermaids, Sea Nymphs, Water Sprites, Sirens, Dagon (god), Kappa (Japanese water spirit) etc.



                  Also the Disney DVD page says it is based on The Little Mermaid (may be a selling point).







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited Sep 26 '11 at 19:29

























                  answered Sep 26 '11 at 19:14









                  KenSuvyKenSuvy

                  1,11821024




                  1,11821024






























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