Monday, January 16, 2012

N is for Namazu

This week's critter for AlphaBeasts! is Namazu, a giant catfish monster who causes earthquakes & tsunamis whenever he manages to wrestle free from his usual captive state. I thought it was interesting that catfish do tend to abandon their normal bottom-feeding habits when they feel tremors; their unusual activity at such times probably led to this legend.

Acrylic on illustration from Cornell's Primary Geography, 1873. (And yes, I know catfish don't live in the ocean. Namazu is a river-beast. But I figured he might wander seaward when he's in mid-mischief.)


9 comments:

  1. He looks a little like the cat[fish] who ate the canary!

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  2. I love him !! Have caught many a catfish and a few mud puppies, one that was near to two feet long. I hope you will check them out, they are a member of the salamander family and I know in your hand they would turn into something extraordinary.

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  3. I love him in his green-ness and whiskered-wonderfulness! Interesting about the tremor-sensitivity. Great Beast!! :)

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  4. These illustrations are one delight after another. I love the shiny look. I can understand why a catfish would leave its environment. It is probably a good indication that an earthquake is coming but the legend made him the scapegoat! What about those giant catfish in China!

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  5. That catfish has a sh** eatin' grin. Really cool painting, Leah.

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  6. Lovely eyes. Love the composition and the flow. Plus very appealing. Nice work.

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  7. He is awesome! Such a happy, fishy grin. Great colors too.

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