Yuki-onna
The Yuki-onna (snow woman) is a female yokai that appears dressed in the white garments worn for the dead, and is found in cold regions. It is said that she blows a cold breath on men, causing them to freeze to death. One story tells of a man who witnessed his father die from the Yuki-onna’s cold breath. The Yuki-onna then silenced the son, and years later, the son married a beautiful woman and had ten children. However, one day, when he spoke about the incident with the Yuki-onna, she disappeared, leaving only the children behind.
Regions and Locations Associated with This Yokai
Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Chugoku regions, etc. / Mountains
Excerpts from the books of Kunio Yanagita
On the night of the Little New Year, or even on a winter night with a full moon, it is said that the Yuki-onna comes out to play. It is common to be warned to return home early, as the Yuki-onna is believed to appear on the night of the 15th.
