Sinister Spirits of Asia Part II: Legendary Creatures of Japan

(The Crone of the Mountains) A BabaYaga-like figure, this creature appears as an ancient female ogre, and is usually encountered in deep forests by those who have lost their way. She may appear to be helpful, and may even offer hospitality to those who greet her. However, like similar figures in Western mythologies, when she takes in a guest, murder is never far from her mind.

The Yama Uba is often considered to be an oni, and is similar in all respets to the female oni which appear in other, similar myths.

Kappa

Kappas are diminutive water spirits who appear as goblin-like creatures about the size of young children. Their faces and limbs are monkey-like, and their shelled torsos resemble that of a turtle. The kappa is a water-breather, but has a concave depression on the top of its head, which, when filled with water, enables it to travel on land for a limited amount of time. (If threatened by a kappa, try bowing to it. Kappas are fanatically respectful of formal traditions, and may bow back, even if it means spilling their bowl and being forced to retreat to the water.)

Kappas are incredibly strong for their size, and have been known to attack and kill cattle, horses and even humans in order to feed on their blood or entrails. Because drowned creatures tend to have distended or swollen rectal areas, the traditional site for a kappa bite is the anus (DON'T go in the water!).

Despite their omnivorous ways, kappas are intelligent and not necessarily malicious. It is possible for a person to befriend a kappa by presenting it with frequent gifts of cucumbers (their favourite food). A kappa's friend not only avoids attack, but may benefit from its extensive knowledge of healing. (Kappa healers are rumored to have taught the art of bone setting to humans, and to be able to cure a wide variety of ailments). To be on the safe side, some people make a habit of frequently signing a cucumber with their name and tossing it into the ocean to win the favor of passing kappas.

Nukekubi

Nukekubi are humanoid undead creatures who are able to detach their heads, which fly about independently in search of prey at night. Unlike their Thai and Malaysian parallels, Nukekubi heads lift cleanly from their bodies, exposing no internal tissue, or even blood. When a detached nukekubi head or body is examined, it appears as if the neck has healed into a clean stub. When the two parts are reunited, the creature's only distinguishing feature is a thin like of red glyphs that marks the lower part of the neck. This tatoo-like marking may be hidden by clothing or jewelry when the nukekubi is in human form, and is located on the head section when the two parts are separated.