There is a crab and then there is a Samurai!
Then again this Crab which looks like a Samurai finds itself in the middle of the evolutionary debate!
The biological name of this crab is Heikea japonica or Heikeopsis japonica
It is a relatively small species of marine crab native to East Asia, most famous for its carapace which naturally mimics the scowling face of an angry human warrior!
The samurai is famous due to the well known legend of the Fallen Samurai!
The crab’s cultural significance stems from a pivotal moment in Japanese history: called the Battle of Dan-no-ura! This historical naval battle marked the tragic defeat of the powerful Taira (Heike) clan by the Minamoto (Genji) clan, leading to the mass drowning of samurai warriors and the child Emperor Antoku!
According to local folklore recorded in The Tale of the Heike, the ghosts of the drowned samurai were reincarnated into these small crabs, eternally wearing a mask of fury on their shells!
Even if you Google the name samurai crabs you can see those ‘ancient’ warriors giving you the stare of FURY!
Because of this legend, coastal Japanese fishermen traditionally throw these crabs back into the ocean out of respect and fear for the fallen spirits! So the Japanese who normally EAT everything do not eat the Samurai crabs!
Of course the Scientific explanation is a combination of couple of theories!
The “samurai face” as such is a textbook example of pareidolia, where the human brain visualizes familiar patterns—like a face—in completely random structures.
Simply speaking your eyes would see only which is there on YOUR MIND!
Then you have the artificial Selection theory by evolutionary biologist Julian Huxley and later Carl Sagan.
They popularized a theory that human superstition drove the crab’s evolution. They argued that fishermen threw back crabs that looked like faces, allowing those specific crabs to reproduce. Over centuries, artificial selection inadvertently perfected the samurai likeness!
Whatever be the reason; they are a great example of the mysteries and beauty of nature and many times you must not worry about the how and the why! Just enjoy!
Then again the Samurai crab and the Samurai are well known and respected and revered in Japan!
On this father’s day I am also proud to have the best DAD in the world! My mother used to love and adore and have so much respect for her Father which is why my sketch of the day is of my Grand Father! He was a Freedom fighter and a member of the INA with Subhash Chandar Bose! Now that is another legendary father!
A big shout out to all those amazing father’s of the world! You Rock!
Shubh Ratri…
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