Abstract
During the cholera pandemic, about 10,000 people died in the Meiji period in 1879, a drawing of Amabiko was sold as an amulet for protection against the plague in Japan. Today, 141 years later, again, amabie, is becoming a sensation in social media as well as other outlets in the Japanese society during the time of Covid-19. The ministry of Health has used amabie as their corona ads as their icons. Astonishingly, people, both the young and old, in Japan are still embracing this ancient votive for healing this covid-19. This paper explores how the power of an image/symbol is a source for a refugee for people to have faith in overcoming with a devastaing plague. Both ancient and modern are considered.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
The Arts in Social, Political, and Community Life
KEYWORDS
Symbols, Pandemic, Power of Art, Art as Healing, Japan
