User:Scotty.ghost/sandbox

The Nuribotoke (塗仏) is a yōkai in Japanese mythology depicted as an animated corpse with darkened skin and dangling eyeballs. Their name literally means "Lacquered Buddha" which references their black lacquered color, although the term for Buddha can also be used to mean an deceased spirit. It has also sometimes been referred to as Kurobou (黒坊). They are often portrayed with largely bloated stomachs and appear often as a Buddhist priest. They are also show to have a long, black appendage coming from their back, which sometimes is generally drawn as a catfish's tail, but is often drawn as long black hair, especially in Edo period portrayals. They are believed to appear from butsudan that have been left open overnight, or have been poorly maintained. Often times, they appear as a deceased family member in order to scare the family. However, as evidenced by the catfish tail, it may be that the corpse is controlled by another being or be a yōkai in disguise. Sometimes it will appear as a Buddhist priest and act as a messenger of the Buddha but give out false prophecies to fool worshipers. According to some stories, it may appear simply to maintain a butsudan that is in disrepair. It is also believed to dance often, especially during the demons' night parade (Hyakki Yakō).