nuppeja

Nuppeja is a yōkai from Japanese folklore described as a humanoid figure composed of rotting flesh. The being is typically depicted as a corpse-like mass with little to no facial features, sometimes appearing as a smooth, featureless face or a shapeless pale form. A common motif is the strong odor of decay surrounding the figure, which is usually seen as either motionless or moving slowly.

Variations in naming and appearance exist in different sources, and English-language references often spell the creature as nuppeja or nuppei. In most depictions, the nuppeja is not strongly aggressive toward people; it is often portrayed as indifferent or nonviolent, sometimes appearing along roads, near graveyards, or in other liminal places before fading away.

Origins and interpretation of the nuppeja are tied to the broader yokai tradition in Japan. It arises in Edo-period folkloric materials and later ukiyo-e or other yokai compilations, reflecting themes of death, decay, and the transient nature of the body. As a symbol, it can serve to remind observers of mortality and the unease surrounding decomposition, rather than as a straightforward monster to be feared.

In modern culture, the nuppeja persists as a grotesque but non-human figure in manga, anime, video games, and other media. It is typically used for atmospheric effect or as a cautionary reminder of impermanence, rather than as a central antagonistic force.

See also: Yokai, Japanese folklore, Edo-period mythologies.