Nebutori (寝太り)

Name Meaning

Overview

Nebutori (寝太り) means “to grow fat while sleeping,” and refers to a strange yokai-like affliction that causes unnatural lethargy and obesity through supernatural influence.

• Nebu (寝) = Sleep
• Tori (太り) = Fat or gain weight

Origin

• Appears in Edo-period folklore and yokai scrolls.
• Considered both a supernatural illness and a cautionary tale against laziness or gluttony.
• Commonly associated with women in old stories, often blaming spirit interference.

Appearance

• Not an entity with a clear form; it manifests through bodily changes in its victims.
• The afflicted appear bloated, inactive, and increasingly sluggish.
• Sometimes drawn as invisible spirits influencing sleeping bodies.

Behavior & Myths

• The victim is gradually consumed by extreme fatigue and abnormal weight gain.
• Can be lifted only through rituals or spiritual intervention.
• Some versions claim it is caused by yokai jealousy or possession.

Symbolism

• Warns against sloth and overindulgence.
• Serves as a metaphor for emotional or spiritual stagnation.
• Reflects traditional beliefs on health, body, and behavior in Japanese society.