15 Japanese Monsters, Myths and Legends

Japan is famous for its folklore, old beliefs and the many stories told about strange creatures, ghosts and curses. Some of these figures are harmless, while others are genuinely terrifying. In this article, we will look at some of the most bizarre monsters and legends from Japan.

Kamaitachi - The Sickle Weasel

Kamaitachi is a creature from Japanese folklore. The name combines the words for sickle and weasel. It is usually described as a weasel-like monster with sharp teeth, moving so quickly that it seems to slash its victims like a blade.

In old stories, people even said that Kamaitachi was responsible for the small cuts people got when hit by strong gusts of cold wind. The wound might start out tiny and harmless, but it could later get worse or become infected.

Okiku - The Living Doll in Kimono

Okiku is a small doll dressed in a kimono. She belonged to a little girl named Okiku, who died very young. According to the legend, her spirit took possession of the doll, and since then its hair has been growing mysteriously. Today the doll is kept at Mannenji Temple. At first, the hair was short, but over time the strands grew longer and now reportedly reach the doll's waist.

Umiboozu - The Japanese Sea Monster

Umiboozu is a terrifying sea monster said to appear along the coast of Japan. Its legends are usually associated with the Edo period. This creature is described as a force of destruction that attacks ships and drags people into the depths of the ocean. Some stories also say it can create a whirlpool near the coast, pulling anyone standing too close to the edge.

There are many descriptions of the Umiboozu legend. Some people say it can take on different forms. In its most common version, it is enormous, black and bald, rising up to 30 meters out of the water. That is why it became known as the "Bald Monster." Some versions give it no mouth or eyes, while others describe a huge mouth and glowing eyes like fire.

Imagine a shark. Now imagine a shark whose fins work like a cheese grater, except that instead of grating cheese, it tears through flesh. That is the idea behind Isonade, which uses its teeth and fins to drag victims down to the bottom of the sea.

Kushisake Onna - The Woman with the Cut Mouth

Her name means "the woman with the cut mouth." If you are walking alone at night, she may jump out from a corner or alley and stop right in front of you. You cannot escape, because she can appear instantly in front of you. She usually wears a surgical mask and a worn-out coat.

Kushisake will ask, "Am I beautiful?" If you say no, she cuts off your head with a large pair of scissors. If you say yes, she removes the mask, reveals a mouth torn from ear to ear and asks, "How about now?" If you answer no, you are cut in half. If you answer yes, your mouth is cut the same way.

Tomino no Jigoku - The Cursed Poem

Tomino no Jigoku is a cursed poem said to bring death to anyone who reads it aloud. If you are lucky, you may not die, but bad things are still supposed to happen. The poem has become famous because it mixes literature, superstition and fear in a very simple idea.

Hitobashira - The Human Pillars

Hitobashira means "human pillars." In old Japan, people believed that sealing living people inside buildings could make them stronger and more stable. Those living sacrifices were offered to the gods so the construction would be protected and last longer. Later, the places where those sacrifices were made were said to be haunted by the spirits of the victims.

Teke Teke - The Elbow Creature

Teke teke teke is the sound the creature makes as it moves, pulling itself along with its elbows. In the legend, she was a beautiful young woman who fell, or threw herself, onto subway tracks. A train cut her in half, but her rage was so strong that her upper body kept moving in search of revenge. If she catches you, she is said to cut you in half with the sickle she carries.

Yuki-onna - The Snow Woman

Yuki-onna is a spirit or yōkai found in Japanese folklore. She is one of the most common figures in Japanese anime, manga and literature. According to the legend, Yuki-onna seduces men, leads them astray during snowstorms and leaves them to freeze. In some stories, she even falls in love, marries and has children, only to disappear later during fog or storms.

Aka Manto - The Red Cape

Aka Manto means red cape or red cloak. It refers to a tormented spirit that haunts bathrooms. He appears when you enter a bathroom with no toilet paper and asks, "Do you want the red paper or the blue paper?" If you choose the red paper, you are cut to pieces. If you choose the blue paper, you are strangled to death. Other versions say the red choice means being skinned alive, while the blue choice drains all the blood from your body.

Gashadokuro - The Giant Skeleton

Gashadokuro is a yōkai from Japanese mythology. It is a giant skeleton made from the bones of people who died of starvation. It roams around, grabs its victims, bites off their heads, drinks their blood and adds their skeleton to its pile.

The Haunted Village of Inunaki

Inunaki Village is a mysterious village that is said to be completely isolated from other villages and even from the country itself. It is not clear whether it really exists, but some people claim that it does. At the entrance, there is supposedly a sign that says, "The constitutional laws of Japan do not apply here."

The villagers are said to live in a very strange way. In some versions of the story, incest, cannibalism and murder are common there. For some reason, your phone and other electronic devices do not work inside Inunaki Village. There are old shops and some public phones, but no one can call out. According to the legend, once you enter Inunaki Village, you cannot leave.

The Haunted Kiyotaki Tunnel

This tunnel was built in 1927 and is 444 meters long. The number 4 is considered unlucky in Japan, much like the number 13 in many Western countries. According to the legend, Kiyotaki is cursed by the workers who died while building it, because of the terrible working conditions at the time, and by those who later died in the tunnel in accidents linked to the workers' spirits.

People say ghosts can be seen in the tunnel at night, and that they can even take control of your car and cause an accident. There is also said to be a mirror in the tunnel, and if you look into it and see a ghost, you will die in a horrible way. The length of the tunnel is also said to vary depending on the time of day and the moment it is measured.

Akaname - The Dirt Licker

Akaname can be translated as "dirt licker." It is a frightening yokai that literally licks dirty bathrooms clean with its long tongue, helped by poisonous saliva. Some people believe the creature was created as a scary way to encourage children to keep the bathroom clean.

Shirime - The Man with an Eye on His Butt

The description of this figure is a little crude. Shirime is the name given to an apparition of a man with an eye in place of his anus. In other words, an eye on the butt.

There is almost no information about this creature. In fact, there is only one recorded story about Shirime, but the idea was later absorbed by the artist and poet Yosa Buson, who included many supernatural creatures in his paintings.

The story says that a lonely samurai was walking down a road at night when someone called out to him. He turned around and saw a mysterious man undressing and pointing to his backside. Suddenly, a large glowing eye opened from that area. The samurai ran away screaming, and Shirime was never seen again.

Japanese folklore is full of stories like these: strange, creepy and unforgettable. That is exactly why these monsters, myths and legends remain so memorable.