Revision as of 21:41, 5 June 2008 by Niko (talk | contribs) (New page: thumb|155px|right|Wanyudo as illustrated by Mizuki Shigeru '''Wanyūdō''' (Japanese: 輪入道 literally "wheel (輪) entrance (入) road (道)"). Alternate Romaniza...)
Wanyūdō (Japanese: 輪入道 literally "wheel (輪) entrance (入) road (道)"). Alternate Romanizations include "Wanyudo" and "Wani yuu dou".
Description
Wanyudo is said to take the form of a burning oxcart wheel bearing the tormented face of a man.
Myth
Various folklore purports him as the condemned soul of a tyrant daimyo who, in life, was known for having his victims drawn on the back of an oxcart. He is said to guard the gates of Hell and to wander back and forth along the road between this world and the underworld, scaring townsfolk as he passes and stealing the souls of anyone who gets too close in order to bring them to Hell with him.
Art/Fiction
- He was famously portrayed by Japanese artist Mizuki Shigeru in his youkai-themed series GeGeGe no Kitaro.
- Wanyudo appeared in The Great Yokai War, a 2005 Takashi Miike film taking inspiration from Mizuki Shigeru's art.
- A statue featuring various yokai, including Wanyudo, was built in Sakaiminato in 2006. Sakaiminato is Mizuki Shigeru's hometown.
- A lighter version of Wanyudo is appears in the anime "Jigoku Shoujo".
- A figure based on Wanyudo is the first demonic boss in the video game "Kenseiden".
- A series of enemies in the game "Okami" are based on Wanyudo. However substituting the fire element and face for similar symbols.
- An enemy with strong resemblance to Wanyudo is seen in the first "Mystical Ninja" series game.
- The second boss of the area Aitos in the SNES game ActRaiser is named "Flame Wheel" and is similar to a Wanyudo.
- In the anime Karas, a Wanyudo is converted into a mechanized demon 'Mikura.' As a nod to his original form of a burning wheel, this Wanyudo usually takes the form of a blood red sports car.