- Wanyūdō
Wanyūdō (Japanese: 輪入道 literally "wheel (輪) entrance (入) road (道)") is a figure in
Japanese mythology , a relatively well-knownyoukai in the folklore of that country. Alternate Romanizations include "Wanyudo" and "Wani yuu dou".Description
Wanyūdō is said to take the form of a burning oxcart wheel bearing the tormented face of a man. 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 ofHell 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.Appearances in culture
* 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 2005Takashi Miike film taking inspiration from Mizuki Shigeru's art.
* A statue featuring various yokai, including Wanyudo, was built inSakaiminato in 2006. Sakaiminato is Mizuki Shigeru's hometown.
* A lighter version of Wanyudo is appears in theanime "Jigoku Shoujo ".
* A figure based on Wanyūdō 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 Wanyūdō is seen in the first "Mystical Ninja " series game.
* The second boss of the area Aitos in theSNES game "ActRaiser " is named "Flame Wheel" and is similar to a Wanyūdō.
* In the anime Karas, a Wanyūdō (voiced byPaul St. Peter ) is converted into a mechanized demon known as a 'Mikura.' As a nod to his original form of a burning wheel, this Wanyūdō usually takes the form of a blood red sports car.ee also
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Ixion External links
* [http://teru.twincle.net/kokunai_4%202006/18%20mizuki_kitarou/2.htm Statue of Wanyudo in Sakaiminato]
* [http://www.sarudama.com/japanese_movies/youkaidaisensou.shtml Review of 'The Great Youkai War' with pictures of Wanyudo]
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