fairy shrimp; Branchinella kugenumaensis
A species of freshwater fairy shrimp found in Japan. The name literally means 'bountiful year shrimp' because its appearance was thought to foretell a good harvest.
Fairy shrimp are swimming in the rice paddy.
Kanji form is rare; the katakana spelling is strongly preferred.
Compound of 豊年 (hōnen, 'bountiful year') + 蝦 (ebi, 'shrimp'). The name reflects the folk belief that the appearance of these shrimp signals a good harvest.