Who is Kuchisake-Onna? The Slit-Mouthed Woman in Japanese Folklore
The Legend Once Caused Mass-Hysteria in Japan
The Kuchisake-onna Legend Once Caused Mass-Hysteria in Japan
The legend of the slit-mouthed woman is an ancient tale that dates back centuries, but it gained renewed attention in the 1970s when reports of sightings by children began to surface. The rumors surrounding Kuchisake-onna became so pervasive that there was a genuine concern that there was a malevolent entity prowling the streets, searching for unsuspecting victims.
The situation grew so dire that the police issued warnings against approaching people in masks, and parents made sure to accompany their children in groups to school. In one instance, authorities arrested a prankster who had dressed up as Kuchisake-onna to terrify people.
Eventually, the frenzy subsided, and today the story of the slit-mouthed woman does not hold the same level of terror or media attention that it once did.
Who is Kuchisake-Onna?
Kuchisake-onna is a notorious figure in Japanese folklore and urban legends, depicted as a sinister woman with a mouth slit from ear to ear. According to legend, she was once a woman who suffered a horrible fate at the hands of her husband, resulting in her disfigurement. The reason for her punishment varies in different versions of the tale, with some accounts stating that she was unfaithful to her spouse while others suggest that a botched dental procedure was to blame. Regardless of the cause, Kuchisake-onna has become a symbol of terror in Japanese culture, haunting the nightmares of those who dare to encounter her.
Legend has it that Kuchisake-onna seeks revenge for the disfigurement she suffered in life by terrorizing and killing those who cross her path in the afterlife. Those who are unfortunate enough to encounter her are at risk of becoming her next victim. The horror of her reputation has earned her a prominent place in Japanese folklore, where she serves as a warning to those who stray from the path of righteousness.
Kuchisake-Onna Appearance
According to the legend, Kuchisake-onna was a woman of exceptional beauty, save for the scar on her face that resulted from her husband’s punishment. It is believed that her intense desire for revenge is fueled by the fact that her beauty was stolen from her. With her pale complexion and attractive features, Kuchisake-onna is often portrayed with long, dark hair and a cloth mask to hide her disfigurement. Her height is a point of contention in different versions of the tale, but some depict her as towering over her victims at more than 2 meters tall. Kuchisake-onna’s captivating eyes and voice are used to lure unsuspecting prey towards her, making her all the more dangerous. In some depictions, she is shown wearing red garments to conceal the blood of her victims after she has attacked them.
What did Kuchisake-Onna do?
The specifics of Kuchisake-onna’s past are shrouded in mystery, with many versions of the tale suggesting that she was unfaithful to her husband. In death, however, she is known for her malevolent deeds and her desire to inflict suffering on others to alleviate her own misery.
Kuchisake-onna is said to lurk in the shadows of alleys and dimly-lit streets, searching for her next victim. Upon encountering someone, she will ask a chilling question: “Am I pretty?” If the answer is no, she will swiftly attack and kill them. If the answer is yes, she will reveal the scar that runs from ear to ear across her mouth by removing her cloth mask and ask, “How about now?” If the victim still answers yes, she will spare their life but disfigure them with a wound similar to hers. If they answer no, they will meet the same gruesome fate as those who answered negatively to her first question. Surviving an encounter with Kuchisake-onna is a rare occurrence, and even those who escape with their lives are left with a terrifying memory that will haunt them forever.
©Emika Oka
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