Nurarihyon - ぬらりひょん - [Yokai]

 Nurarihyon - [yokai] - ぬらりひょん 

• About this Yokai: The so called "Supreme commander of Yōkai" & supposed "leader" of the Hyakki Yagyo. (Night Parade of 100 Demons) – Also called "The Slippery Gourd' – Named as such for his squash-like-head-shape and his strange ability... This tiny old man, has the apparent ability to slip in and out of your confidence: its been said that he could walk directly into your own home & you'd actually believe that he owned the place: or it was like you where suddenly a guest in his residence. He'd smoke your cigars and drink your tea, help himself to the pantry, perhaps even take a shower and then spend the afternoon lazing around in your den, then, he then slips out. – without saying a word. His victims would only realize that he wasn't supposed to be there a while after he left. No matter what you do, you cannot catch him at this, you wouldn't even notice him, as he is "the very nature of lies." – He commands respect from both humans and other Yokai alike!

• Early Appearances & History: Nurarihyon has appeared in several picture scrolls dating back as far as the early 1700's in which he is seen standing around looking kinda smug, with a large gourd shaped head. - These early depictions do not add much  lore to him but there are a few which occasionally label him as something similar to an Umibozu. (mostly commenting on his odd head shape and how 'gourds' or (octopi) dropped in water are in fact very slippy and 'cannot be caught' easily.)

[as he appears in Bakemono no e (化物之繪, c. 1700)]

In his most famous depiction, included in Gazu Hyakki Yagyo by Toriyama Sekien [1776] Nurarihyon is depicted proudly stepping off of a palanquin and walking into a house. - No written commentary on toriyamas part…

...Much later in 1929 Yokai researcher, Morihiko Fujisawa, would add underneath toriyamas illustration, "While night is still approaching, the Nurarihyon comes to visit as the chief monster." 

Aside from that the earliest folklore to suggest that Nurarihyon is perhaps a 'commander of yokai' seems to stem from a single mention In "Yuki no Idewaji" (雪の出羽路, 1814) an Edo Period travel diary by Sugae Masumi:

…But very little information is found or given beyond that, it’s thought that his role is largely (if not entirely) in thanks to modern folklore and anime;  role as the main villain in Shigeru Mizuki's Gegege no Kitaro, manga and anime series! The rest stems from there.

in the earlier picture scrolls, Nurarihyon is never actually even seen 'leading' anything!!!  ...So, it kind of feels as if his supposed 'slippery nature' that hes gained over time, effects not only other people and yokai, but somehow reaches beyond fiction, to his folklore and history, bending our perception of him - yet again, in his favour! – Layers upon layers of lies &  false narratives!! 

Originally, had I planned to draw him 'last', But he's one of those Yokai that sort of just 'slipped out.' 

[Art Sticker by @Samkalensky - Part of my Night parade of 100 Demons - Yokai & Japanese folklore sticker collection, weather resistant 4" sticker. Check my shop & follow @samkalensky for many more!]