Wanyūdō

Artist's depiction of Wanyudo, circa 1779

Wanyūdō (Japanese: 輪入道 literally "wheel (輪) monk (入道)") is a figure in Japanese mythology, a relatively well-known yōkai in the folklore of Japan.

Description

Wanyūdō is said to take the form of a burning oxcart wheel bearing the tormented face of a man. Various folklore purports him as the condemned soul of a tyrant daimyo who, in life, was known for having his victims drawn on the back of an oxcart. He is said to guard the gates of Hell and to wander back and forth along the road between this world and the underworld, scaring townsfolk as he passes and stealing the souls of anyone who gets too close in order to bring them to Hell with him.

See also

• Japanese mythology in popular culture
• Ixion

External links

• Statue of Wanyudo in Sakaiminato
• Review of 'The Great Youkai War' with pictures of Wanyudo

Japanese folklore Folktales Bunbuku Chagama Hanasaka Jiisan Issun-bōshi Kachi-kachi Yama Kintarō Momotarō Nezumi no Sumō Saru Kani Gassen Shita-kiri Suzume Taketori Monogatari Tamamo-no-Mae Tawara Tōda Urashima Tarō Yamata no Orochi Yotsuya Kaidan Text collections Konjaku Monogatarishū Otogizōshi Legendary creatures Akaname Bakeneko Daidarabotchi Dragon Futakuchi-onna Gashadokuro Goryō Inugami Gyoubu Kappa Kasha Kirin Kitsune Mujina Nue Obake Onryō Oni Rokurokubi Satori Shachihoko Shōjō Shuten-dōji Tanuki Tengu Tenome Tsukumogami Tsuchigumo Ushi-oni Uwan Yama-uba Yōkai Yuki-onna Yūrei Zashiki-warashi Mythology in popular culture Legendary creatures