Nurikabe (Japanese mythology)

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The nurikabe (ぬりかべ) is a yōkai, or spirit, from Japanese mythology. It manifests as a wall that impedes or misdirects walking travelers at night. Trying to go around is futile as it extends itself forever. Knocking on the lower part of the wall makes it disappear.

[edit] Nurikabe in popular culture

Nurikabe, like other yōkai, often appear in manga and anime in the same way that Frankenstein's monster and Dracula appear in Western popular culture. For example, the anime and manga of Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro featured a nurikabe as the hero's ally, as does the more recent Petopeto-san. In an episode of Azumanga Daioh, Osaka imagines Chiyo-chan in a nurikabe costume.

In the videogame 'Okami, a nurikabe character named "Blockhead" appears in a few areas, and blocks Amaterasu's path. By painting dots on each of the monster's weak points, Blockhead will crumble, and Amaterasu will be able to continue her way.

A nurikabe-inspired monster, Whomp, appears in the video game Super Mario 64.