51) Japan - 24. Oonyudo

A yokai that appears in various parts of Japan, resembling a giant monk. Its size varies greatly depending on the region or folklore, ranging from slightly larger than a human, around 2 meters tall, to sometimes as large as a mountain. People feared the Oonyudo, as it was said that being stared at by one could cause fainting or illness. There are also theories that they are transformed animals like foxes, tanuki, weasels, otters, or even large rocks and Buddhist statues. In Iwate Prefecture, an Oonyudo appeared at a temple, but it disappeared after the weasels around the temple were driven away. In Sendai, an Oonyudo was shot down with an arrow and turned out to be a giant otter. In Awa, it is said that if you place grain on a mill's waterwheel, an Oonyudo 28 shaku (approx. 8.5m) tall will appear and pound the grain for you, but it would startle you if you peeked at it. In some depictions, it is described as having only one eye and one leg, in which case it is sometimes distinguished as 'Hitotsume-nyudo' (One-Eyed Nyudo) or 'Hitotsume no Oonyudo' (The One-Eyed Oonyudo).