龍宮の使い
りゅうぐうのつかい

Translation: servant of Ryūgū
Alternate names: jinja hime, hime uo
Habitat: the ocean
Diet: unknown

Appearance: Ryūgū no tsukai are large fish with human heads, horns, long hair, and sometimes beards. They resemble several different species of fish, and range in size from 5 to 18 meters in length. Many of them give off light, and their glow can be seen from far away.

Behavior: Ryūgū no tsukai are servants and messengers of Ryūjin, the god of the sea.

Interactions: Ryūgū no tsukai are sent to deliver Ryūjin’s messages to mankind. They are such holy creatures that any who look upon them or hear their voice will be protected from disease and live a long life. Drawings of them are used as talismans of peace, health, and prosperity.

Origin: Prophetic mermaids like ryūgū no tsukai inspired popular legends in Japan throughout the 19th century. Originating in Hirado, Nagasaki Prefecture, these stories quickly spread across the country. Minor details changed with each retelling, like an Edo period version of the telephone game, and by the early Meiji era there were dozens of unique examples.

Today, ryūgū no tsukai is the Japanese name for the oarfish. Oarfish and other strange, deep sea fish that washed up on shore during the Edo period may have been the inspiration for these yōkai.

Legends: For seven days during April of 1819, a shining creature was seen in the sea off the coast of Tsushima, and people all over the province wondered at it. Eight hundred people from other provinces gathered in one hundred and twenty large boats and fired thirty guns at it all at once, but the thing was not fazed by this. Within seven days after shooting at it, the creature began to speak, and every night it said this: “I am nothing to be afraid of. I have come here from the Dragon Palace for a reason. One day this year, a great evil disease will come, and people will certainly die. Therefore, I ask you to copy my portrait and spread it around the country. Those who see my picture even once will be spared from this evil disease. It will also serve as an amulet for the safety of the land and for long life.” Its body was nine meters long, and its face was about one and a half meters long.

Another ryūgū no tsukai appeared off of Kumamoto. Its body was eighteen meters long and its face was 90 centimeters long. It had two horns, and its back was covered in purple scales. It had six fins, a tail like a goldfish’s, and it carried three jewels. This creature explained that it was a messenger from the Dragon Palace and said, “This year there will be severe epidemic of a great evil illness, and the sick will not be saved. Therefore, in order to save many lives, I have come here to give you this message. All who hear my message are sure to be spared from the disease.”