Nue
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A nue (鵺) is a legendary creature found in Japanese folklore. It has the head of a monkey, the body of a tanuki, the legs of a tiger, and a snake instead of a tail. A nue can also transform into a black cloud and fly around.
Nue are bringers of misfortune and illness. One legend tells of the Emperor of Japan becoming sick after a nue took up residence atop his palace in the summer of 1153. After the emperor's guards killed the creature, the emperor recovered.
Nue are also a type of nocturnal blackbirds native to Japan. They, too, are thought to bring bad luck.