Crab (Heikegani)

Heikegani drawing by Marco

Meaning: Honor, Bravery, Loyalty, Sacrifice

The story of the Heikegani is one of the more legendary tales in Japanese folklore and one based not only on legend but reality.

Unlike a lot of traditional Japanese tattoo designs based on myth these creatures actually exist. These crabs populate the beaches and waters of Japan around the Straits of Shimonoseki near the southern tip of Honshu. They are famous because their exoskeletal topsides resemble human faces. The ghostly folklore about them comes from one of the most influential events in Japanese history.

During a military conflict between two feuding Japanese clans in the 12th century. Following a five year power struggle known as the Genpai War, the Taira (later referred to as the Heike) and Minamoto clashed in a final battle at Dan-no-ura Bay on April 25, 1185. The Taira were severely out numbered and amidst the battle their child emperor Antoku drowned. As the tide turned in their enemies favor Taira Tomomori their leader tied an anchor to his waist and jumped into the sea. The samurai, rather than dying in dishonor, took their own lives, leaping into the frigid water.

The downfall of the Taira ushered in an era of Shogunate rule. It was during this time that the art of traditional Japanese tattoos rose to prominence amongst the working class. To this day, the descendants of the Heike gather on April 24th near the Akama Shrine to honor the memory their ancestors. In the ceremony people catch crabs, throwing the ones with faces back to the sea because they believe that they contain the souls of the samurai.

These designs are popular do to the story. They represent sacrifice, bravery, loyalty and honor.