Nurarihyon
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Nurarihyon (ぬらりひょん, alternatively 滑瓢), or Nūrihyon (ぬうりひょん), is a Japanese Yōkai said to originate from Wakayama Prefecture. It is speculated that the original name used was Nūrihyon, with Nurarihyon being a misreading that got perpetuated.[1][2]
Etymology
The name Nurarihyon is a portmanteau of the words "Nurari" (Japanese: ぬらり or 滑) meaning "to slip away" and "hyon" (Japanese: ひょん or 瓢), an onomatopoeia used to describe something floating upwards. In the name, the sound "hyon" is represented by the character for "gourd".[3] The Nurarihyon is unrelated to another, similarly named ocean Yōkai from Okayama Prefecture.[4]
Appearance and behaviour
The Nurarihyon is usually depicted as an old man with a gourd-shaped head and wearing a kesa.[3] In some depictions he also carries a single sword rather than the standard two to demonstrate his wealth. There is speculation that in Toriyama Sekien’s portrayal of Nurarihyon, he serves as a political cartoon to represent the aristocrany. Others suggest that he is retired from a samurai family due to the sword and his clothing style.
The Nurarihyon is often depicted sneaking into people's houses while they are away, drinking their tea, and acting as if it is their own house.[4][5] However, this depiction is not one based in folklore, but one based on hearsay and repeated in popular Yōkai media.[4][6]
Notes
- ^ Murakami 2000, p. 255.
- ^ Kyōgoku & Tada 2000, p. 149-150.
- ^ a b Meyer 2013, p. "Nurarihyon".
- ^ a b c Foster & Kijin 2014, p. 218.
- ^ Mizuki 1994, p. 344-345.
- ^ Kyōgoku & Tada 2000, p. 149.
References
- Davisson, Zack (March 2015). "Back Matter: Nurarihyon". Wayward Volume One: String Theory. Image Comics. ISBN 978-1-63215-173-5.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Foster, Michael Dylan; Kijin, Shinonome (2014). The Book of Yōkai: Mysterious Creatures of Japanese Folklore. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520271029.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Kyōgoku, Natsuhiko; Tada, Katsumi (2000). Yōkai Zukan. Kokusho Kankōkai. ISBN 978-4336041876.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Meyer, Matthew (2013). "Nurarihyon". yokai.com. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
{{cite web}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Mizuki, Shigeru (1994). Zusetsu Nihon Yōkai Taizen. Kōdansha. ISBN 9784062776028.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Murakami, Kenji (2000). Yōkai Jiten. Mainichi Shinbunsha. ISBN 978-4620314280.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help)
See also
External links
- Nurarihyon – The Slippery Gourd at hyakumonogatari.com (English).
- Nurarihyon from Yōkai on Mizuki Shigeru Road: Sakaiminato Sightseeing Guide Template:Ja