Hiroko Yoda - Yokai Attack! The Japanese Monster Survival Guide

REVISED EDITION WITH 16 NEW PAGES

Ferocious Fiends:

Karasu-tengu

The Wimps:

Nobiagari

The Wimps:

Nobiagari

Pronunciation:

(NOH-bee AH-gah-ree)

English Names:

Shadow-spectre; Stretching-spectre

Height:

Variable

Weight:

Unknown

Locomotion:

Bipedal

Distinctive Features:

A shadowy humanoid

Offensive Weapons:

Ability to increase in size

Abundance:

One of a kind

Habitat:

Anywhere humans live

Claim to Fame:

Is it a shadow? A wraith-like humanoid? A river or forest creature? Only one thing is known for sure about the enigmatic Nobiagari: it is a yokai that that appears out of nowhere and quickly swells to a massive size. Often stalking its victims from behind and thus just out of clear sight, the details of its origin and physical appearance differ greatly from region to region. Some describe it as an ethereal living shadow; others as a human-like creature, sometimes in the guise of a Buddhist monk; and still others say that it is some sort of animal that has gained the ability to trick humans into believing that it is far larger than it actually is. Whatever the case, the Nobiagaris true form is believed to be that of a strangely proportioned humanoid perhaps inspired by the strange shapes our shadows cast on the ground late in the day that leaps into existence and gives chase to startled travelers. They are said to appear more frequently on paths near water, particularly lakes and rivers.

If it truly is a shadow, the Nobiagari is essentially a personification of the sundial effect. According to these legends, the Nobiagari can potentially show up any time the sun is low in the skyessentially, just before twilight, the traditional time at which yokai tend to appear. However, logic dictates that encounters are probably more common in the winter months, when the days are short and the sun is low in the sky. (When the sun is at its zenith, directly overhead, there arent any shadowsand thus no Nobiagari!)

BEWARE OF OTTER?

Some believe the Nobiagari is merely a mind-bending illusion created by Kitsune (). However, in Ehime Prefecture, located on the Japanese island of Shikoku, local legend has it that the animal behind the Nobiagari is a river otter. This might explain the large number of sightings near bodies of freshwater. Unfortunately, the last sighting of the Japanese river otter was in 1979, and the species is presumed to be extinct.

The Attack!

It is not known how the Nobiagari selects its targets; it appears without warning behind lone travelers or other isolated individuals. When the victim nervously looks over their shoulder, straining their peripheral vision in an attempt to get a clearer look at what is behind them, the Nobiagari steadily increases in size. If the victim attempts to flee, the Nobiagari pursues, either by running or elastically extending its neck, torso, or limbs, menacingly leaning in ever closer all the while.

In extraordinarily rare circumstances, the Nobiagari is said to lunge for the victims exposed neck as they crane their heads back for a higher look.

Nobiagari is content to threaten rather than injure its victims. Still, encounters arent pleasant.

Avoiding an Encounter:

Regional legends describe two ways of driving the Nobiagari away. Both involve staying calm and holding your ground.

Tactic One : Turn to face the Nobiagari directly , and slowly lower your gaze to the ground. Its size is determined by the angle at which it is viewed. Looking up makes it larger, while the act of lowering your gaze physically reduces its size. When it has reached a more manageable Height, shout Mioroshita! (I look down upon you!), and it will disappear.

Tactic Two : This assumes that the Nobiagari is indeed a projection created by a much smaller creature. While facing the Nobiagari, kick at a spot in the air roughly a foot from the ground . You may be able to knock the creature off balance, causing the Nobiagari to disappear.

Relatives:

The Nobiagari shares its modus operandi with a variety of similar yokai, most closely that of the Mikoshi (a.k.a Mikoshi-nyudo, the Look-up Monk). The Mikoshi takes the form of a Buddhist monk who appears suddenly before travelers on deserted paths or streets, growing to immense proportions as the viewer looks upon him. Like the Nobiagari, the Mikoshi may be the handiwork of a smaller animal; the people of Hinoemata village in Fukushima Prefecture believed the perpetrator to be an itachi , or Japanese weasel, though the actual relationship remains unconfirmed. Local legend has it that shouting Miokoshitari! (I can see over you!) at the yokai drives it away.

Other relatives include the Shidaidaka of southwestern Japan; the Taka-nyudo of Shikoku Island; and the Norikoshi-nyudo of Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan . Although the specific Habitats, initial appearances, and maximum sizes of these yokai differ from locale to locale, their characteristics and patterns are extremely similar. It remains unknown whether these variations represent different species, or multiple appearances of the same yokai embellished with local flavor.

The Wimps:

Nuppeppo

The Wimps:

Nuppeppo

Pronunciation:

(NEW-pep-poh)

Alternate Names:

Nuhehho, Nuppebbo

English Name:

Blobby

Gender:

Unknown

Height:

3 to 5 ft. (1 to 1.5m)

Weight:

Unknown, but seriously heavy

Locomotion:

Bipedal

Distinctive Features:

Flabby humanoid appearance

Offensive Weapons:

Pungent body odor

Abundance:

Prevalent

Habitat:

Anywhere humans live

Claim to Fame:

A rotund, humanoid blob of flesh with the hint of a face in the folds of fat on its chest, the Nuppeppo is sometimes described as having features such as fingers and toes; other times, only vaguely-defined lumps instead of limbs. In fact, its often difficult to tell which side faces forward. Widely known throughout Japan, the Nuppeppo is a classic sort of spook.

The Nuppeppo are placid, passive, and unaggressive . Other than their grotesque appearance, the only offensive thing about them is their body odor, which is said to be on a par with that of rotting flesh. Some theories claim they actually are rotting flesh. In spite of the stink, there are some rumors that the meat of a Nuppeppo is said to bestow eternal youth upon those who eat it .

Nuppeppo aimlessly wander the deserted streets of villages, towns, and cities, often on nights at year-end; or skulk around the grounds and graveyards of abandoned temples that are no longer being used. They often appear alone but are occasionally sighted in small groups as well.

Some believe that the first Nuppeppo were created long ago from bits of rotting human bodies cobbled together for some unfathomable reason, la Frankensteins monster. The record is silent as to whoeveror whateverwas responsible, and there is little to indicate what their motivation may have been.

A word of linguistic caution: Although the Nuppeppos name appears similar to the Nopperabo (), they are unrelated save for the fact that both are generally featureless.