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.

Sep 7, 2014 · According to Japanese folklore, the Heikegani crabs contain the souls of the Heike samurai warriors who were slain at the Battle of Dan-no-ura in 1185 AD, a war over the Japanese imperial throne.

Jun 26, 2017 · This crab has a distinctive shell with a pattern that vaguely resembles the angry face of a Samurai. The story goes that when the Heike warriors died and sank, their souls were transferred to the crabs and their gnarled faces were forever etched onto the crab's back.

Appearance: Heikegani are crabs native to Japan noted for the peculiar pattern on their shells. When viewed from above, they appear to have the scowling face of a samurai mask imprinted on their carapace.

Apr 17, 2022 · Crabs with carapace shaped like human faces could be found all over the world, but the heikegani is unique for its resemblance to a snarling samurai. Some observers noted that a charging samurai will come in mind upon seeing the crab, but some people agreed that a samurai menpo is closer.

Apr 27, 2017 · Heikegani or Heike crabs (Heikeopsis japonica) are a species of crab native to Japan. Many of these crabs share a distinctive feature: strange markings on their carapace that have a striking resemblance to the face of an angry Samurai.

4 days ago · Legend has it that these native Japanese crabs are reincarnations of the spirits of the Heike, samurai warriors defeated in a sea battle. In the 12th century, Japan was ruled by a warrior clan called “the Heike”.

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 ...

Sep 16, 2020 · Below is one such example where human intervention inadvertently allowed a new species of crab to evolve in Japan, that resemble the faces of samurai warriors.

Instead, these crabs are the reincarnated Heike samurai, defeated and humiliated in the epic sea battle of Dan-no-ura. It was a battle that sealed the fate of the Taira clan, known as Heike, who lost to the Minamoto clan, known as Genji.