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{{Infobox mythical creature |
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|name = Nuppeppō |
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|AKA = Nuppefuhō |
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|image = Image:SekienNuppeppo.jpg |
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|image_size = 220px |
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|Mythology = [[Japanese mythology|Japanese]] |
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|Grouping = [[Yōkai]] |
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|Sub_Grouping = |
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|Country = Japan |
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|Habitat = Deserted streets, abandoned temples, graveyards |
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|First_Reported = as early as 1737 |
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|Last_Reported = |
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|Similar_creatures = [[Frankenstein's monster]] |
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}} |
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The {{nihongo|'''nuppeppō'''|ぬっぺっぽう||lead=yes}}, or {{nihongo|'''nuppefuhō'''|ぬっぺふほう||lead=yes}} is a genderless [[yōkai]] in Japanese folklore described as having a flabby appearance and a pungent [[body odor]]. It has appeared in Japanese literature since the 18th century. |
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In Japanese folklore the Nuppeppō ([[Japanese language|Japanese]]: ぬっぺっぽう) - also known as '''Nuppefuhō''' (Japanese: ぬっぺふほう) - is a genderless [[Yōkai]] (Japanese: 妖怪, "monster" or "goblin") described as having a flabby appearance and a pungent [[body odor]]. It appears as a blob of flesh with a hint of a face in the folds of fat. Though largely amorphous, fingers, toes, and even rudimentary limbs may be attributed as features amidst the fold of skin.<ref name="Clayton">{{cite web|last=Clayton |first=James |url=http://hundredmythologyhaiku.blogspot.com/2010/02/day-lxxxii-nuppeppo.html |title=One Hundred Mythical Creatures in Haiku: Day LXXXII - Nuppeppo |publisher=Hundredmythologyhaiku.blogspot.com |date=2010-02-20 |accessdate=2015-10-24}}</ref> The name Nuppeppō is a [[Corruption (linguistics)|corruption]] of the derogatory slang ''Nupperi'' (ぬっぺり), used to describe a woman who applies too much makeup.<ref name=Attack>{{cite book|last1=Yoda|first1=Hiroko|last2=Morino|first2=Matt Alt ; illustrations by Tatsuya|title=Yokai attack! : the Japanese monster survival guide|date=2008|publisher=Kodansha International|location=Tokyo|isbn=9784770030702|pages=177–180|edition=1st}}</ref> This is most likely a reference to the creature's saggy appearance, which is similar to the sagging of a face under heavy makeup. |
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==Etymology== |
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| ⚫ | The |
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The name "nuppeppō" is a [[Corruption (linguistics)|corruption]] of the derogatory slang {{nihongo|''nupperi''|ぬっぺり|}}, used to describe a woman who applies too much makeup.<ref name="Attack">{{cite book|last1=Yoda|first1=Hiroko|last2=Alt|first2=Matt|others=Ilustrated by Tatsuya Morino|title=Yokai Attack!: The Japanese Monster Survival Guide|date=October 2008|publisher=[[Kodansha International]]|location=[[Tokyo, Japan]]|isbn=9784770030702|pages=177–180|edition=1st}}</ref> This is most likely a reference to the creature's saggy appearance, which is similar to the sagging of a face under heavy makeup. |
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==Description== |
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| ⚫ | The |
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The nuppeppō appears as a blob of flesh with a hint of a face in the folds of fat. Though largely amorphous, fingers, toes, and even rudimentary limbs may be attributed as features amidst the fold of skin.<ref name="Clayton">{{cite web|last=Clayton |first=James |url=http://hundredmythologyhaiku.blogspot.com/2010/02/day-lxxxii-nuppeppo.html |title=One Hundred Mythical Creatures in Haiku: Day LXXXII - Nuppeppo |publisher=Hundredmythologyhaiku.blogspot.com |date=2010-02-20 |accessdate=2015-10-24}}</ref> The origins of the nuppeppō are unknown. However, it is sometimes described as constructed of the flesh of dead humans in a manner similar to [[Frankenstein's monster]].<ref name="Attack" /> |
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===Behaviors and powers=== |
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While the origins of the Nuppeppō are unknown, there are those who believe that it is a creature comprising the flesh of dead humans cobbled together in a manner not dissimilar to [[Frankenstein's monster]]. However, no motivation is made clear as to why anybody would want to construct such a creature.<ref name=Attack /> |
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| ⚫ | The nuppeppō is passive and almost entirely harmless, but it has a repulsive body odor is said to rival that smell of [[Decomposition|rotting flesh]]. Those who eat the flesh of a nuppeppō are described as being granted [[eternal youth]].<ref name="Attack" /><ref name="Foster">{{cite book|last1=Foster|first1=Michael Dylan|others=Illustrated by Shinonome Kijin |title=The Book of Yokai: Mysterious Creatures of Japanese Folklore|date=January 14, 2015|publisher=[[University of California Press]]|location=[[Oakland, California]]|isbn=0520271025|pages=207–211}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The nuppeppō aimlessly wanders deserted streets of villages, towns and cities, often at night towards the year-end, or graveyards or abandoned temples. It is usually a solitary creature, but there have reportedly been sightings of them in groups.<ref name="Attack" /> If encountered, the nuppeppō is unlikely to cause a human any harm. However, its lumbering stature and foul odor may cause shock and alarm. |
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==References in Japanese culture== |
==References in Japanese culture== |
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[[File:Suushi Nuppeppo.jpg|thumb|The Nuppeppō in Sawaki Suushi's [[Hyakkai Zukan|Hyakkai-Zukan]]]] |
[[File:Suushi Nuppeppo.jpg|thumb|The Nuppeppō in Sawaki Suushi's [[Hyakkai Zukan|Hyakkai-Zukan]]]] |
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Illustrations of the Nuppeppō can be found |
Illustrations of the Nuppeppō can be found as early as the 1737 ''[[Hyakkai Zukan]]'' by author Sawaki Suushi.<ref name="yumoto">{{Cite book|title = 続・妖怪図巻|trans-title=Yōkai Illustration Volume, Continued|last = 湯本 |first = 豪一 |publisher = [[Kokushokan Kokai]]|date= May 2006|isbn = 9784336047786|location = [[Tokyo, Japan]]}}</ref> Later illustrations can be found in the works of Toriyama Sekien, starting with his 1776 publication ''[[Gazu Hyakki Yagyō]]''.<ref name="Sekien">{{cite book|last1=鳥山|first1=石燕|title=鳥山石燕 画図百鬼夜行全画集|trans-title=The Complete Book of Monster Drawings|date=July 23, 2005|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|location=[[Tokyo, Japan]] |isbn=4-04-405101-1 |edition=4th}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The 18th century scribe Makibokusen wrote a scroll describing the appearance of a creature matching the description of the nuppeppō at the castle of [[shogun]] [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]]. According to the story, Tokugawa ordered that the creature be sent away to the mountains unharmed so that it could be kept safe and clear of human settlements. Tokugawa later learns that the creature is noted in Chinese literature as being a "sovereign specific", endowed with powers of restoration.<ref name="Attack" /> |
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| ⚫ | Author [[Mizuki Shigeru]] also features the |
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| ⚫ | Author [[Mizuki Shigeru]] also features the nuppeppō in his iconic ''[[GeGeGe no Kitarō]]'' [[manga]] and [[anime]] series, as well as in his encyclopaedic book of yōkai, ''Yōkai Jiten''.<ref name="Mizuki">{{cite book|last1=水木|first1=しげる|title=水木しげるの妖怪事典|date=August 1981|publisher=[[Tōkyōdō Shuppan]]|location=[[Tokyo, Japan]]|isbn=449010149X}}</ref> The nuppeppō has also made appearances in various cinematic productions, most notably the ''[[Yokai Monsters]]'' trilogy. In ''[[Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare]]'', the nuppeppō is seen alongside a roster of other traditional yōkai helping to fend off a Babylonian invader. |
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==See also== |
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The Nuppeppō has also made appearances in various cinematic productions, most notably the [[Yokai Monsters]] trilogy. In [[Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare]], the Nuppeppō is seen alongside a roster of other traditional Yōkai helping to fend off a Babylonian invader. |
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*[[Japanese mythology]] |
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*[[Chinese mythology]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Portal|Fictional characters|Horror|Anime and manga}} |
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*[http://yokai.com/nuppeppou/ Nuppeppō at Yokai.com] |
*[http://yokai.com/nuppeppou/ Nuppeppō at Yokai.com] |
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Revision as of 23:48, 29 December 2017
 The nuppeppō as illustrated by Toriyama Sekien. | |
| Grouping | Yōkai |
|---|---|
| Other name(s) | Nuppefuhō |
| Country | Japan |
| Habitat | Deserted streets, abandoned temples, graveyards |
The nuppeppō (Japanese: ぬっぺっぽう), or nuppefuhō (Japanese: ぬっぺふほう) is a genderless yōkai in Japanese folklore described as having a flabby appearance and a pungent body odor. It has appeared in Japanese literature since the 18th century.
Etymology
The name "nuppeppō" is a corruption of the derogatory slang nupperi (ぬっぺり), used to describe a woman who applies too much makeup.[1] This is most likely a reference to the creature's saggy appearance, which is similar to the sagging of a face under heavy makeup.
Description
The nuppeppō appears as a blob of flesh with a hint of a face in the folds of fat. Though largely amorphous, fingers, toes, and even rudimentary limbs may be attributed as features amidst the fold of skin.[2] The origins of the nuppeppō are unknown. However, it is sometimes described as constructed of the flesh of dead humans in a manner similar to Frankenstein's monster.[1]
Behaviors and powers
The nuppeppō is passive and almost entirely harmless, but it has a repulsive body odor is said to rival that smell of rotting flesh. Those who eat the flesh of a nuppeppō are described as being granted eternal youth.[1][3]
The nuppeppō aimlessly wanders deserted streets of villages, towns and cities, often at night towards the year-end, or graveyards or abandoned temples. It is usually a solitary creature, but there have reportedly been sightings of them in groups.[1] If encountered, the nuppeppō is unlikely to cause a human any harm. However, its lumbering stature and foul odor may cause shock and alarm.
References in Japanese culture
Illustrations of the Nuppeppō can be found as early as the 1737 Hyakkai Zukan by author Sawaki Suushi.[4] Later illustrations can be found in the works of Toriyama Sekien, starting with his 1776 publication Gazu Hyakki Yagyō.[5]
The 18th century scribe Makibokusen wrote a scroll describing the appearance of a creature matching the description of the nuppeppō at the castle of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. According to the story, Tokugawa ordered that the creature be sent away to the mountains unharmed so that it could be kept safe and clear of human settlements. Tokugawa later learns that the creature is noted in Chinese literature as being a "sovereign specific", endowed with powers of restoration.[1]
Author Mizuki Shigeru also features the nuppeppō in his iconic GeGeGe no Kitarō manga and anime series, as well as in his encyclopaedic book of yōkai, Yōkai Jiten.[6] The nuppeppō has also made appearances in various cinematic productions, most notably the Yokai Monsters trilogy. In Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare, the nuppeppō is seen alongside a roster of other traditional yōkai helping to fend off a Babylonian invader.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e Yoda, Hiroko; Alt, Matt (October 2008). Yokai Attack!: The Japanese Monster Survival Guide. Ilustrated by Tatsuya Morino (1st ed.). Tokyo, Japan: Kodansha International. pp. 177–180. ISBN 9784770030702.
- ^ Clayton, James (2010-02-20). "One Hundred Mythical Creatures in Haiku: Day LXXXII - Nuppeppo". Hundredmythologyhaiku.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
- ^ Foster, Michael Dylan (January 14, 2015). The Book of Yokai: Mysterious Creatures of Japanese Folklore. Illustrated by Shinonome Kijin. Oakland, California: University of California Press. pp. 207–211. ISBN 0520271025.
- ^ 湯本, 豪一 (May 2006). 続・妖怪図巻 [Yōkai Illustration Volume, Continued]. Tokyo, Japan: Kokushokan Kokai. ISBN 9784336047786.
- ^ 鳥山, 石燕 (July 23, 2005). 鳥山石燕 画図百鬼夜行全画集 [The Complete Book of Monster Drawings] (4th ed.). Tokyo, Japan: Kadokawa Shoten. ISBN 4-04-405101-1.
- ^ 水木, しげる (August 1981). 水木しげるの妖怪事典. Tokyo, Japan: Tōkyōdō Shuppan. ISBN 449010149X.
