The Yamauba is a mountain-dwelling yokai in the form of an old woman, said to devour those who encounter her on mountain paths. However, there are also households that revere the Yamauba as a guardian deity. In the 1990s, elements of the Yamauba were incorporated into the Yamanba Gal style, which became a popular trend […]
An old pet cat can sometimes transform into a Nekamata (cat monster). It is said to have a tail split into two, can speak human language, and walks on two legs. Some believe it is a mountain beast, and it is known to sometimes attack humans. Regions and Locations Associated with This Yokai Honshu, Shikoku, […]
This creature is said to live in deep mountains, with a high nose and mystical powers. It has wings and can fly freely through the sky. As a mountain yokai, it is believed to have been born from people’s awe and fear of the mountains. People viewed the mountains as a realm of the supernatural, […]
This creature is said to cause phenomena such as shining light from the sea and making prophecies about harvests and epidemics. It resembled a mermaid but had a beak, with scales covering its body from the neck down and three legs. Regions and Locations Associated with This Yokai Kumamoto Prefecture / Sea Excerpts from the […]
The strange sound of “bata bata” (a flapping or slapping noise) is said to start from the east and move toward the west. It is also believed to appear more frequently where the northwest wind blows. Regions and Locations Associated with This Yokai Wakayama Prefecture, Yamaguchi Prefecture, etc. / Villages Excerpts from the books of […]
Fukusaki Town’s official mascots are the siblings Fuku-chan (older brother) and Saki-chan (younger sister). Saki-chan has Mochimugi pasta on her head as a nod to the town’s local specialty. The characters are inspired by a kappa legend from the writings of folklorist Kunio Yanagita, who was born in Fukusaki Town. In his book “Seventy Years […]
The spirit of a fallen samurai is said to pull the sleeves of passersby, asking for help. Alternatively, it is believed that a child who accidentally killed their parents, mistaking them for thieves, became the Sodehiki Kozō (Sleeve-Pulling Boy). Regions and Locations Associated with This Yokai Saitama Prefecture / Villages Excerpts from the books of […]
At night, a fox is said to appear and make splashing sounds as if washing clothes in the river. This phenomenon is known as the “Sentaku-gitsune” (Washing Fox). Regions and Locations Associated with This Yokai Shizuoka Prefecture / Rivers Excerpts from the books of Kunio Yanagita This creature is said to come out to the […]
A young and beautiful woman, she appears normal at first glance, but she has a second mouth on the back of her head. This hidden mouth consumes many times more food than an ordinary person and uses strands of hair to grab and transport food, allowing her to eat at an extraordinary speed. Since the […]
In the form of an old woman, it is said to frighten people passing by at night by throwing sand at them, though no one has ever seen its true form. Regions and Locations Associated with This Yokai Western Japan / Forests, Temples Excerpts from the books of Kunio Yanagita When walking through the lonely […]