Global InformationHeikegani information
| Heikegani | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Brachyura |
| Family: | Dorippidae |
| Genus: | Heikeopsis |
| Species: | H. japonica
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| Binomial name | |
| Heikeopsis japonica (von Siebold, 1824)[1]
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Heikegani (平家蟹, ヘイケガニ, Literal meaning: Heike Crab, Heikeopsis japonica) is a species of crab native to Japan, with a shell that bears a pattern resembling a human face - an example of the phenomenon of pareidolia - which is interpreted to be the face of an angry samurai, hence the nickname samurai crab. The crabs are named after the once powerful Taira clan which dominated medieval Japan, commonly known as the Heike. It is believed that these crabs are reincarnations of the Heike warriors defeated at the naval Battle of Dan-no-ura as told in The Tale of the Heike.[2] While the crabs are edible, they are not eaten by most Japanese.[3]
- ^ Peter Davie (2010). "Heikeopsis japonica (von Siebold, 1824)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved June 7, 2012.
- ^ Metropolis, "Fortean Japan", 27 June 2008, p. 12.
- ^ Huxley, Julian (Jun 30, 1952). "Evolution's Copycats". LIFE. Vol. 32, no. 26. Time Inc.