The statues are flanked by replicas of cannons and ships.
The monument commemorate a historic battle that took place in this area more than eight centuries ago.
The year was 1185.
Minamoto Yoritomo went on to become the first Shogun, or military ruler, of Japan.
The Battle of Dan-no-ura gave rise to many legends, the strangest of which involves a crab.
This crab has a distinctive shell with a pattern that vaguely resembles the angry face of a Samurai.
The crab is called Heikegani or the Heike crab.
Sometimes, its also called the Samurai crab.
Famous American astronomer and author Carl Sagan once speculated that the resemblance was due to artificial selection.
This preserved the DNA of the heikegani with samurai-like faces while thinning the genetic lines of those without.
Besides, crabs with human-like shells have been found all throughout the world.
Photo credit:Lonmelo/Flickr
Photo credit:Timothy Takemoto/Flickr
The sculptures at Mimosusogawa Park in Shimonoseki.
Photo credit:Hidetsugu Tonomura/Flickr
Sources:Introvert Japan/Japan Powered/Wikipedia/Japan Hoppers
