All through the West, it’s that spooky time once more, however Japan’s ghosts and monsters don’t creep out simply round October. There are lots of, if not 1000’s of yōkai— supernatural creatures—that co-exist with people all year long.
Among the many plethora of blood-curdling figures and entities that plague this island nation, it’s the women that stay among the most scary. So, in honor of those scary females and Halloween, let’s see if we’re courageous sufficient to deal with the highest 4.
Nikusui 肉吸い “meat sucker”
Just like a vampire, Nikusui is a femme-fatal with the looks of a voluptuous younger girl who, after getting shut sufficient to her sufferer, will actually such the flesh from their bones. They’re identified for focusing on males strolling the mountain roads of the Mie and Wakayama Prefectures late at evening.
Based on famed creator and Wakayama native, Minakata Kumagusu, Nikusui’s modus equipment is to flirtatiously strategy a touring passerby and steal his lantern, asking “Can I borrow your lamp?”, after which she bites into his flesh, draining it dry. In different variations, like within the 1785 monster compilation Hyakkiyakou – Bakemonogatari, Nikusui are additionally keen on cuddling up in mattress with indoors and absorbing his spirit.
Apparently sufficient, nikusui can be the title of famend Osaka-based dish that’s basically “meat udon with out the udon”. This sounds significantly better than the meat-sucking monster it shares a homonym with. Do you have to be on the highway late at evening, don’t overlook to hold multiple supply of sunshine with you, or endure the horrible destiny of this carnivorous creature.
Kuchisake Onna 口裂け女 “slit-mouth girl”
Even when you don’t know by title, you’ve in all probability seen this disturbing yōkai earlier than. Kuchisake Onna, a good looking younger girl in a face masks, approaches kids coming residence from faculty and, after asking them the tell-tale query “Do I look fairly?”, the masks comes off to disclose a grotesque ear-to-ear gash in her mouth. If the reply is something however “sure”, she slashes the kid within the face with a knife or scissors. Eesh!
If this monster sounds particularly merciless, that’s as a result of Kuchisake Onna is an onryō, a spirit of the useless who died in a violent method, or was murdered of their earlier life. A number of origin tales exist that make clear her existence, particularly in Gifu Prefecture, the place the rumors had been began. Some say she is the sufferer who underwent botched cosmetic surgery, and others say it’s the ghost of a poor soul who died in a bus crash in 1968. In actual fact, through the 60s and 70s, Kuchisake sightings had been so prevalent all through cities in Saitama, Hokkaido, Fukushima and Kanagawa, that it whipped the residents right into a state of panic.
Regardless of her wrathful nature, there are just a few methods to get out of Kushisake Onna’s clutches. When posed with the “fairly” query, don’t panic (simpler stated that completed!) and use the solutions: “You look regular”, which can confuse her; “You look cute”, which can make her blush; or “You look stunning inside and outside”; which can make her content material. In case you discover you’re too scared to talk, merely toss her some Tortoiseshell sweet, which is now thought-about the best choice. Be sure that to refill this Halloween!
Futakuchi-onna 二口女 “two-mouth girl”
What’s it with these monster women and their scary mouths? Whereas not as malicious as Kushisake Onna, the sight of Futakuchi-onna’s lengthy hair feeding rice balls to the second mouth at the back of her head is simply as upsetting. This duplicitously unobtrusive creature was first seen within the 1841 yōkai compendium “Ehon Hyaku Monogatari”, however, whereas the Monogatari model has a considerably ethical lesson to be realized, the story of a lady with two mouths is way older and sinister.
All through Japan, the well-known story of The Lady Who Doesn’t Eat (Kuwazu Nyobou) has totally different variations, however all of them revolve across the similar yōkai. A peasant man marries a supposedly austere hardworking girl who, whereas spying on her sooner or later, discovers that she’s been stealing meals and feeding it to the black gap that lives at the back of her head. In traditional folktale fashion (mukashi banashi), the person barely escapes, however not with out a terrifying close to demise expertise.
Futakuchi’s harrowing story is so in style that parts from it will probably yearly be seen in Japanese tradition. Within the story, the person evades his monster spouse on Might fifth by hiding in a swamp stuffed with irises, which additionally occur to be the Achilles’ Heel of Futakachi. To today, many individuals nonetheless beautify their eaves with iris leaves to beat back evil spirits through the Might vacation.
Nukekubi 抜け首 “lacking head”
Some of the iconic photos of creepy girls in yōkai lore is Rokurokubi (ろくろ首), along with her attribute neck stretching far its her physique, however in actuality, she’s bears you no ill-will. Nevertheless, her malevolent sister, Nukekubi, is one to be cautious of. Not solely does her neck lengthen from its base, however the head comes fully off in quest of unsuspecting victims, human and animal.
To some, together with references within the Sorori Monogatari, a decapitated head is the results of a soul leaving the physique. Elsewhere, within the Shokoku Hyakumonogatari, a person brings residence the indifferent head of a lady and later, the identical girl confessed her supposed sins after which later handed away. It may be deduced then that some tales of Nukekubi have a foundation in ethics, as they had been used as cautionary tales to those that lead double lives.
No matter why the top detaches, Nukekubi are nonetheless thought-about extraordinarily harmful, however will be defeated logically. When you witness the monster’s head detach fully from the physique, one ought to conceal the physique safely out of website. With no residence to return to, the top will lash out on the one accountable and finally wither till demise.
And there you will have it! Yōkai are available in all shapes and varieties, so make sure you preserve your wits about you while you’re out and about after hours, or else she would possibly get you. Joyful Halloween!
Josh Furr
Joshua first got here to Japan together with his household over 10 years in the past and it fully ruined his life (in the very best of the way). When he’s not attempting to go the JLPT, he’s researching Japanese historical past, having fun with 80s J-Pop and dreaming of 牛丼. He’s presently writing, writing, writing…principally about Japan and video video games.