Nuribotoke

Nuribotoke as illustrated by Toriyama Sekien.

The Nuribotoke (塗仏) is an animated corpse with darkened skin and dangling eyeballs in Japanese mythology. They are portrayed as similar in appearance to the Buddha but with largely bloated stomachs and occasionally having a catfish's tail. They are believed to have revived due to poor care of the household shrine. However due to interpretations that they possess a tail, it may be that the corpse is controlled by another being or be a yōkai in disguise. It will act like a messenger of the Buddha but give out false prophecies to fool worshipers. It is also believed to dance often, more so during the demons' night parade (Hyakki Yakō).

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