also: はっぴゃくびくに · おびくに
Yao Bikuni; mythical nun with eternal youth
A legendary figure in Japanese folklore who gained perpetual youth after eating mermaid flesh. Often used in stories and cultural references.
It is said that Yao Bikuni became immortal by eating mermaid flesh.
A legend about Yao Bikuni remains in this region.
Standard kanji form for the legendary figure; the reading やおびくに is the most common.
Alternate reading; less common than やおびくに.
Abbreviated reading; rarely used.
The name 八百比丘尼 literally means 'eight-hundred bhikkhuni (Buddhist nun)', referring to her legendary lifespan of 800 years. The reading やおびくに is a contraction of はっぴゃくびくに.