A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – A Noppera-bo (noppera-bō) is one of many mysterious supernatural creatures of Japanese folklore. Today, it’s time to present a yokai Noppera-bo (”faceless one”) that looks human but has no face. The word “nupperi“ also ,nopperi) means “flat-faced.” It is reasonably believed that the idea of a flat or expressionless face also coincides with that of the Noppera-bo yokai.
The Kijo Noppera-bo. Image credit: Tanapat – CC BY-SA 4.0
These demonic beings traditionally appear as women with featureless, smooth faces. There can be many of them, and according to modern beliefs, adult males representing this yokai are becoming more common.
This odd yokai, is predominantly encountered on desolate road, street or passageway during nocturnal hours, in the absence of human presence. It exhibits a unique behavior pattern. Initially, they may present themselves as ordinary human beings, assuming the appearance of someone known to the observer, creating an atmosphere of intrigue and mystery.
Upon initial observation, the entity bears a striking resemblance to that of a human being. However, this is a false appearance with a temporary effect only. The Noppera-bo eventually reveals its real identity.
However, upon closer look, one observes something different or unexpected. The witness is confronted with a startling absence of distinguishing features. The face lacks eyes, nose, mouth, or any discernible means of expression. The “face” presents a surface of remarkable smoothness and nothing more.
While this transformation can be an intensely frightening experience for the witness, it’s important to note that – despite their alarming nature – these spirits do not pose any significant risk or threat to human safety or well-being. However, one particular trait of Noppera-bo’s character remains.
Noppera-bō (a faceless ghost) from Kyōka Hyaku Monogatari. Image credit: Ryusai Kanjin Masasumi – Public Domain
It is his/her curious satisfaction from inducing fear in others through intimidating behavior. Similar to many other yokai species, also the Noppera-bo’s primary objective appears to be instilling fear in witnesses who encounter them.
Its appearance is always a complete surprise, but the Noppera-bo never attacks its victims, only frightening them, so it can only pose a real threat to those with weak hearts.
Another unique characteristic of this yokai is its ability to manifest a human-like appearance during daylight hours. As night falls, however, the creature’s authentic form becomes clearly visible. There is nothing in its face, no facial feature but a smooth, spherical structure (or a piece of “something” of a reddish-yellow hue. Certain accounts also report the presence of one hundred ocular organs on the entity’s lower leg regions.
Such descriptions undoubtedly offer valuable insights into the remarkably diverse and often unsettling nature of the mysterious yokai entities in Japanese folklore.
According to modern reports, this entity usually appears as a man or woman with their back turned to the observer. When approached, the yokai slowly turns around and reveals its terrifying form. To achieve maximum effect, they often appear with their face first, then abruptly wipe their face with their hand at the most opportune moment. Noppera-bo enjoy in the terror they inflict on their unsuspecting victims.
This unique aspect of their character adds to the intrigue and fascination surrounding these supernatural creatures.
As the yokai Noppera-bo ages, its facial features become simpler. Eventually, it becomes yet another type of the Japanese yokai known as ‘Tenome’, with a pair of working eyes appearing on the palms of the creature’s hands, various accounts say.
It is important to note that the Noppera-bo spirit is not officially recognized as an really existing entity. Consequently, other supernatural beings, such as the “mujina” – tiny, furry, shape-shifting creatures or the famous fox-like kitsune – can quickly adopt the guise of a Noppera-bo, or other appearances.
The most famous Noppera-bo legend is recounted by Lafcadio Hearn in Kwaidan. It’s about a man who stopped to relax at a soba noodle stand to teld the vendor of his very strange encounter. He was terrified when he realized that the soba vendor had suddenly become a Noppera-bo himself.
“Late at night, a man was walking along the edge of a moat when he came upon a young woman crouching at the edge of the water, crying with her face in her sleeve. He asked what was wrong and if he could help, but she did not respond. Finally she turned around, “dropped the sleeve, and stroked her face with her hand;—and the man saw that she had no eyes or nose or mouth,—and he screamed and ran away.” He saw a light up ahead, which turned out to be the lantern of a traveling soba-noodle stand, and “he flung himself down at the feet of the soba-seller” and tried to explain what he had seen.
“‘Was it anything like this that she showed you?’ cried the soba-man, stroking his own face—which therewith became like unto an Egg. . . . And, simultaneously, the light went out…”
Written by – A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer
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References:
Foster, Michael Dylan. The Book of Yokai
Lafcadio Hearn, Stories and Studies of Strange Things
