Kanbari nyūdō (加牟波理入道 or variations in spelling) is a relatively obscure Japanese yōkai (supernatural being) associated with New Year's Eve. According to folklore, it hides around toilets and attempts to lick people while they are using the toilet, especially women. Although this sounds bizarre or humorous today, the story has deeper roots in Japanese beliefs about purity and ritual.

Origin of the legend

The exact origin is uncertain, but folklorists trace the legend back to the Edo period (1603–1868), when many regional yōkai stories were recorded. Unlike famous yōkai such as Kappa or Oni, Kanbari nyūdō appears only in a handful of folklore collections and local traditions.

Its name gives a clue:

Nyūdō (入道) means a Buddhist monk who has taken vows, but in folklore it often refers to a large, monk-like supernatural being.

"Kanbari" (or "Kanmari") is thought to derive from older dialects or words related to bodily functions or ritual impurity, though scholars disagree on the precise meaning.

Why toilets?

In traditional Japan, toilets were considered spiritually dangerous places. They were dark, isolated, and associated with impurity. Many cultures have myths about spirits inhabiting latrines, and Japan has several toilet yōkai.

New Year's Eve was believed to be a time when the boundary between the human and spirit worlds became thinner. As one year ended and another began, supernatural beings were thought to roam more freely. Kanbari nyūdō was said to take advantage of this night.

Was it meant literally?

Probably not. Many researchers believe the tale served practical purposes:

Encouraging people not to linger in the toilet at night.

Reinforcing ideas of cleanliness before the New Year.

Warning children about staying indoors after dark.

Explaining feelings of fear or vulnerability in an isolated outdoor toilet.

Related folklore

Kanbari nyūdō belongs to a broader tradition of Japanese toilet spirits, alongside figures like:

Kawaya no Kami – a protective deity associated with toilets and childbirth.

Hanako-san – a much more recent urban legend about a ghost haunting school bathrooms.

So while the claim that it "tries to lick you" comes from genuine folklore, the story is best understood as part of Japan's rich tradition of supernatural tales surrounding places considered spiritually impure or unsettling, especially during significant calendar events like New Year's Eve.