Harikikigaki

 The "Harikikigaki" (the Book of Needles) is a strange medical book from 16th century Japan. The author is unknown, and it lists a variety of conditions and diseases, as well as a number of tiny spirits! It was believed that each of these entities were like parasites that needed treating. In other words, the small beings were actual germs called belly bugs or hara no mushi. Some of the best ways to treat the "belly bugs" was by giving someone herbal medicines and acupuncture. The book is complete with illustrations and it was quite popular in its day, considered a good source of information but now it's considered a piece of history and is homed in Kyushu's museum.  

The disease critters are now a part of myths and legend. Some of the most weirdest of them includes the Akachu that resembles a tiny lobster, Chisaku looks like a fish, the Heimushi looks like a butterfly, Amabie looks like a tiny bird with long hair, Kakuran no Mushi looks like a mini serpent with a penguin like face, Kanmushi looks like a microscopic white ghost, Kanshaku looks like a beetle, Kagemushi looks like a small snake, Umakan looks like a dragon, Haishaku looks like a cloud with a face, Koseu resembles a wormlike mushroom, Kameshaku looks like a turtle, Koshi no Moshi is like a dragonfly, Kiukan is like a tiny goat, Kishaku is like a dog with a squid's face, Jinshaku looks like a polar bear, Hishaku looks like a cloud with a dog's face and Hinosha is like a smiling flower. 

Read about this on Uncanny Japan here.

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