Nurarihyon

Nurarihyon, from Toriyama Sekien "Gazu Hyakki Yakō"

Nurarihyon, from Sawaki Suushi "Hyakkai Zukan"

Nurarihyon (ぬらりひょん), or Nūrihyon (ぬうりひょん), is a Japanese yōkai (a supernatural monster in folklore) said to originate from Wakayama Prefecture. It is also sometimes believed to be descended from the Umibōzu of Okayama Prefecture.

The Nurarihyon is usually depicted as an old man with a gourd-shaped head and wearing a kesa. He is sometimes said to be leader of the yōkai.

The Nurarihyon will sneak into someone's house while they are away, drink their tea, and act as if it is their own house. Because it looks human, anyone who sees him will mistake him for the owner of the house, making it very hard to expel him.

Nurarihyon is called the leader of the Hyakki Yakō.

In popular culture

• He is one of the main characters in the anime Nurarihyon no Mago. In it, he is usually depicted as its description, however 400 years ago their appearance is different: It appears to be an adult with long white hair on top and black bottom, wearing a black kimono and katana.

See also

• List of legendary creatures from Japan
• GeGeGe no Kitaro
• Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan

External references

• Nurarihyon – The Slippery Gourd at hyakumonogatari.com (English).
• Nurarihyon from Yōkai on Mizuki Shigeru Road: Sakaiminato Sightseeing Guide Template:Ja