About 30 years ago, Hiroyuki Arakawa, a Japanese man and scuba diver, was mending a temple gate for an underwater Shinto shrine in Hasama Underwater Park when he was approached by a friendly- and very confident-seeming kobudai (Asian sheepshead wrasse fish) that lived in or near the shrine. Kobudai are a species with what can only be called a humanoid face.
Hiroyuki-san noticed that Yoriko (he learned later that that was the fish’s name) had badly injured her mouth and was having a hard time getting enough nourishment. So he undertook to crack crab shells for her.
With his help, she recovered from her injuries, during which she and Hiroyuki-san bonded.
Perhaps to signify that the healing was finished, he kissed her face, and she let him – the only human in the world, apparently, to whom she allows that liberty (she allows other humans, especially those who come with him, to touch and even pet her a little, but that’s all). He greets her with a kiss every time he comes to the shrine.
Whenever he is underwater doing maintenance on the shrine, she comes as close to him as she can, her interest in what he’s doing obvious. Sometimes she drifts so close that he must gently push her away so that she doesn’t accidentally get hit with the tools he uses.
If you’re at all interested, there’s an article about kobudai and some related species generally and Yoriko particularly, and a very nice video about 19 mins long. They can be found at / stem / The-Kobudai-and-the-California-Sheephead-Fish-That-Change-Gender
FreyjaRN Premium Member 3 months ago
He’s a totally rad skateboarding qat.
PraiseofFolly 3 months ago
Hey, Cool Cat. Beware of Tony the Hawk.
derdave969 3 months ago
Love the pad on the tail.
ladykat 3 months ago
Nice flip, qat!
Red Bird 3 months ago
Very cool trick! He is such an incredible skater.
pheets 3 months ago
780 Qat does 360. Tail safe :)
[Unnamed Reader - bddb15] 3 months ago
Wish the background was composed of brighter colors.
jimdandy 3 months ago
I wish the backgounds would be left like the original drawings.
Stephen Gilberg 3 months ago
I just noticed the URL.
willie_mctell 3 months ago
Took me a minute. It was the dark background.
Màiri 3 months ago
O / T, but sweet
About 30 years ago, Hiroyuki Arakawa, a Japanese man and scuba diver, was mending a temple gate for an underwater Shinto shrine in Hasama Underwater Park when he was approached by a friendly- and very confident-seeming kobudai (Asian sheepshead wrasse fish) that lived in or near the shrine. Kobudai are a species with what can only be called a humanoid face.
Hiroyuki-san noticed that Yoriko (he learned later that that was the fish’s name) had badly injured her mouth and was having a hard time getting enough nourishment. So he undertook to crack crab shells for her.
With his help, she recovered from her injuries, during which she and Hiroyuki-san bonded.
Perhaps to signify that the healing was finished, he kissed her face, and she let him – the only human in the world, apparently, to whom she allows that liberty (she allows other humans, especially those who come with him, to touch and even pet her a little, but that’s all). He greets her with a kiss every time he comes to the shrine.
Whenever he is underwater doing maintenance on the shrine, she comes as close to him as she can, her interest in what he’s doing obvious. Sometimes she drifts so close that he must gently push her away so that she doesn’t accidentally get hit with the tools he uses.
If you’re at all interested, there’s an article about kobudai and some related species generally and Yoriko particularly, and a very nice video about 19 mins long. They can be found at / stem / The-Kobudai-and-the-California-Sheephead-Fish-That-Change-Gender