Name Meaning
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.
