Nurikabe

Category
MYTHOLOGY

Language
JAPANESE

The nurikabe is a y?kai, or spirit, from Japanese folklore. Its name translates to "plaster wall", and it is said to manifest as an invisible wall that impedes or misdirects travelers walking at night.[2] Sometimes referred to in English as "The Wall" or "Mr. Wall", this y?kai is described as quite tall, to prevent people from climbing over it, and wide enough to dampen any attempts to go around it.[1] Japanese scholar and folklorist Kunio Yanagita recorded perhaps the most prominent early example of nurikabe and other y?kai in his books.[2] Manga artist Shigeru Mizuki claims to have encountered a nurikabe in New Guinea, inspiring a nurikabe character in his manga Gegege no Kitar?.[2]

Wikipedia contributors, "Nurikabe," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia,