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Meaning & History
From Japanese 塗 (nuri) meaning "paint" combined with 仏 (botoke) meaning "Buddha". The Nuribotoke is an animated corpse with darkened skin and dangling eyeballs in Japanese mythology. They are portrayed 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).