Social functions of
Yokai, considering
Amabie as an example, during the COVID-19 calamity, Takahashi Ayako; Fujii Shuhei, The Japanese journal of psychology, 93, 1, 58, 64, Apr. 2022, The Japanese Psychological Association, The purposes of this study are to clarify the relationship between attitudes toward
Amabie (folkloric mermaid -like creature) during the COVID-19 calamity and traditional values, including everyday religious activities in
Japan, and to explore the social functions of
Yokai (Japanese supernatural creature and phenomena). Although
Yokai have historically had both religious and entertainment roles, recent studies have shown that contemporary
Yokai are only seen as entertainment. In Japan, however,
Amabie has been attracting public attention for its historic ability to repulse plagues and therefore seems to have social functions other than entertainment. Study 1 used newspaper articles and other supporting materials to investigate the social prevalence of
Amabie and the way people relate to it. Study 2 investigated attitudes towards
Amabie and traditional values. The results suggested that with the expectations that
Amabie could drive the plague off,
Amabie evoked not only positive but also negative impressions, and for that reason, it might be accepted as a
Yokai. This showed that the function of
Yokai may change depending on the situation.