Nurarihyon
Table of Contents
Nurarihyon
The Nurarihyon (ぬらりひょん) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō and Hyakkai Zukan.
He holds a special position within the ranks of the Yōkai as he is now seen to be the ‘leader’ of them. However, it wasn’t until 1929 that this belief began after the publication of a book by Morihiko Fujisawa.
The depictions of this creature made by Toriyama Sekien shows the creature stepping off a palanquin, as well as carrying a singular sword, thus marking him as a wealthy townsman.1
The Hyakki Zukan’s depiction (below) follows much of the same imagery, however, the size of the Yōkai’s head is even more exaggerated.
Other Depictions
Hyakkai Zukan | Bakemono no e |
External Links
- View the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō online here: Gazu Hyakki Yagyō Online.
Footnotes
1. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.
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