Great Nyūdō (Giant Priest Apparition)Annotated Traditional Edition: Ōnyūdō (Giant Priest)

oh-oh-nyoo-DOH

Demons & Giants🏞️ temple and shrine precincts, mountain passes and foothills, lakeshores and riverbanks, crossroads at village edges

Detailed Description

The Ōnyūdō is defined by its sheer size and piercing glare. Reports range from a monk-like giant with a topknot to a vague shadowy figure, appearing in liminal places such as night roads, temple and shrine grounds, mountain passes, and lakesides. It draws the gaze of onlookers and, the instant they look up, grows taller to assert its might. Explanations of its nature vary by locale: a transformed animal, the spirit of an old stone pagoda or boulder, or an unclassified anomaly. Harmful cases include people collapsing under its stare or developing fever afterward, yet in places like Awa it is also told as a semi-guardian that helps with labor. Countermeasures follow traditional banishment methods: do not fear or avert your eyes, break its menace with arrows or prayer beads, or expose the true form of the shapeshifter. Historical sources sometimes mix names like Ōbōzu and Ōnyūdō, so it is best understood within local traditions.

Source Information

種類全体の出典reference

妖怪事典

著者: 村上健司

年代: 2000

出版社: 毎日新聞社

信頼度: A関連度: 高

妖怪事典（オンライン）

種類全体の出典primary

大入道山車（四日市祭・諏訪神社祭礼）

著者: 四日市市

年代: 文化2年（1805年）製作と伝わる

出版社: 四日市市（市指定有形民俗文化財）

信頼度: B関連度: 高

大入道山車（四日市祭・諏訪神社祭礼）（オンライン）

種類全体の出典reference

綜合日本民俗語彙

信頼度: B関連度: 高

Personality

taciturn, imposing, morally ambiguous depending on region

Compatibility

loses power before those unshaken by scares, loses power before the devout

Abilities & Skills

⚡ gigantic growth that increases as one looks up⚡ intimidation by glare⚡ appearing with ghostly fire⚡ shapeshifting as a transformed animal or stone monument

Weaknesses

loses force before an unafraid gaze, vanishes when its true form is exposed, vulnerable to arrows prayers and exorcistic rites

Collection Inclusion

This yokai is included in the following collections:

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Maya Calendar Guardian KINs

Displaying the Maya calendar KINs that Great Nyūdō (Giant Priest Apparition) (Annotated Traditional Edition: Ōnyūdō (Giant Priest)) protects.

KIN 227

青い手

Protection

Corresponding dates in 2026:

2026/7/24

Guardian Message:

あなたの周りに漂う影の中に、大入道が静かに佇んでいます。彼はあなたを驚かせることなく、むしろその巨体であなたを包み込み、外界の危険から守ってくれるでしょう。彼の睨みは、あなたに向けられるのではなく、あなたを脅かすものに向けられるのです。彼の存在を恐れず、むしろその威厳を感じてください。大入道はあなたの信頼できる守護者として、あなたの道を照らし続けるでしょう。

Learn more about Maya calendar