Name Meaning
Miage-nyūdō (見上げ入道) means “look-up priest,” referring to its signature trait of increasing in height the more you try to see its face.
- Miage (見上げ) = To look up
- Nyūdō (入道) = Monk or priest (also used for bald-headed yokai)
Origin
- Common in tales from the Edo period and earlier.
- Associated with roads, bridges, or forest paths.
- Similar to Mikoshi-nyūdō, possibly a variant or regional interpretation.
Appearance
- Appears suddenly as a tall, bald-headed monk in robes.
- Its height increases rapidly as you raise your gaze.
- May disappear once you show no fear or utter a protective chant.
Behavior & Myths
- Startles or paralyzes people by growing before their eyes.
- Some travelers die from fright or fall and injure themselves.
- Can be dispelled by chanting “Miage-nyūdō, I’ve seen through you!”
Symbolism
- Represents fear of the unknown or the supernatural.
- Sometimes interpreted as a caution against traveling alone at night.
- A metaphor for how fear grows when left unchallenged.
