The Nozuchi (野槌*)?, also romanized as Nodzuchi, is a Japanese spirit of the earth that is found in open plains hiding in the shadows of the plants and trees, and is among the earliest noted youkai. While it is not an evil or mischievous spirit, it is wild and uncontrollable, thus it will sometimes bring harm to humans it sees as intruders or threats. Its name means "wild mallet," due to its portly shape, which forces them to make their homes in trees on hills, as rolling down slopes is their main form of locomotion, then they amble their way back up.
It is also another name for the serpent monster tsuchinoko, which is now seen more as a cryptid that takes the form of a fat snake.
Kei's friend uses a Nozuchi during the fight against Legion in Chapter 1.
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne[]
"A Japanese earth spirit. It hides in the grass or in the shade. It's not evil, but it's a bit violent and may harm a human if it sees one."
—Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne profile
Nozuchi can be found in the Great Underpass of Ginza, past the Manikin hideout and immediately in the vicinity of the Matador encounter. Its ability to drain Force skills makes it a good choice for battling Matador, and it becomes more useful should it be leveled up to learn Counter and Rakukaja prior to the fight. Nozuchi can evolve into Gui Xian through leveling up.
Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE[]
"A type of supernatural creature, resembling a headless, hammer-like snake. They attack humans by rolling, and can also climb uphill. They are sometimes identified with Kaya-no-hime. Nozuchi are counted among the 35 children of the Japanese deities Izangi and Izanami. Nozuchi are also sometimes identified with the modern-day tsuchinoko."
—Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE compendium
Nozuchi can be contracted in Suginami and Shinjuku Babel's docks. Massive Nozuchi are a reoccurring theme as both event-based player demons and bosses within the Denshi Kairo instance and the gold-level Nakano Stone Site instance, appearing alongside Genbu.
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey[]
"A spirit from Japanese myth, whose name means "god of the fields". Though not innately evil, its temper may cause it to attack humans from behind a tree or bushes."
—Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey compendium
Shin Megami Tensei IV[]
Nozuchi can be found in Shinjuku. It can teach Flynn the Critical Wave, Mazio and Rakukaja skills through its Demon Whisper. Flynn must have the Demolingual App in order to converse with Nozuchi. A Nozuchi may also give Flynn the "Cu Chulainn's Training" Challenge Quest when spoken to.
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse[]
Nozuchi appears in the south entrance and west entrance areas of Shinjuku as well as the northern areas of the Fairy Forest, past the central gate. It can teach the Rakukaja, Mazio and Critical Wave skills to Nanashi during Demon Whisper. Nozuchi gains a bonus to any support and Electricity skills learned during fusion.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance[]
"Said to be the spirit of a serpent that has lived in the mountains since ancient times in the Nihon Shoki and is also said to govern the earth's veins. The name Nozuchi comes from the ancient Japanese word for "god of the fields." It is said to live deep in the mountains behind trees and in thickets. It has a large mouth at the end of its head, but no eyes or nose. It is not evil, but rather violent all the same. When it sees a human, it may try to harm or even eat them."
—Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance lore
Nozuchi is a demon of the Snake race and can be found in Da'at: Minato throughout the Toranomon region. Unlike normal enemy symbols, when Nozuchi notices the Nahobino approaching, they will inhale air with enough force to drag the Nahobino towards them instead of pursuing.
The Nahobino can encounter a Nozuchi that challenges them to a battle of wits by riding a Magatsu Rail into the mountains near where Jatayu flies over the highway to the north of Kamiyacho. The second part of "Beastly Battle of Wits" requires the Nahobino to backtrack to Shiba. From the leyline fount, following the hill up to the west will lead to a glowing blue orb near the Kodama spirits that signifies where the Sangaku Beads the Nozuchi has asked for can be found. The final riddle will require the Nahobino to strike Nozuchi, leading to a battle with it and two supporting Kodama. Afteward, the quest will complete and Nozuchi will give the Nahobino the Virtuous Neutral Periapt.
Soul Hackers 2[]
"A spirit of earth from Japanese lore whose name means "god of fields." Though not innately evil, its temper may cause it to attack humans from behind trees or bushes."
—Soul Hackers 2 demon info
Nozuchi can be found as a common enemy in the Central Line.
Devil Children Fire/Ice Book[]
Nozuchi is one of the demons given as a prize for beating Eligor's quiz in Fire Book. In Ice Book Nozuchi is a boss faced in the Huge Floodgate, where he plans on flooding the Water Angels Town to kill the inhabitants in the name of his master Zebul. Upon defeat his body transforms to reveal his true form. His last words being that they shall continue fighting until everything is destroyed.
Devil Survivor 2[]
"A snake spirit said to live in the mountains in ancient Japanese scriptures. It is believed to govern lines of energy. It is a god of wilderness with a large mouth, but no eyes or nose. It is not evil, but has a violent temper and sometimes attacks humans that cross its path."
—Devil Survivor 2 compendium
Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2[]
"A snake spirit said to live in the mountains in ancient Japanese lore. It is not evil, but has a violent temper and sometimes eats humans that cross its path. It is said to have no eyes nor nose, but have a huge protruding mouth."
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