Nurikabe sculpture by Andrew Bell

[Jet_Jaguar]

I thought that this was cool (I think Stan has done a few drawings of this yokai):

http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/18/nur ... drew-bell/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3168/259 ... ed41_o.jpg



Wikipedia explains that the “nurikabe is a yokai, or spirit, from Japanese folklore. It manifests as a wall that impedes or misdirects walking travelers at night. Trying to go around is futile as it extends itself forever. Knocking on the lower part of the wall makes it disappear.” It’s also the inspiration for Super Mario’s Whomp. You can see more photos at Andrew Bell’s site or Flickr gallery. And you can buy a painting or print of the Nurikabe at Bear and Bird Boutique. Via I Heart Cool Stuff.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nurikabe_%28folklore%29



A statue depicting the nurikabe from GeGeGe no Kitaro by Shigeru Mizuki on the road bearing his name.

[Thomas Froehling]

Funny, but that reminds me of Bernd das Brot (Berny the Bread)....

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernd_das_Brot

That character has nothing to do with Japanese folklore whatsoever, but the resemblance is striking...