《The Ultimate Yōkai Guide》Kuchisake-onna

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WARNING: This chapter contains some disturbing imagery, especially in the examples section. Reader discretion is advised.

The Kuchisake-onna is a woman who was mutilated by her husband. He cut her mouth from ear to ear because he found out she was cheating on him with another samurai. The woman has returned to life as a malicious spirit with her mouth still mutilated. She often covers her mouth with a cloth mask, fan, or scarf.

The Kuchisake-onna asks potential victims if they think she is pretty. According to modern tales of the Kuchisake-onna, she will kill them with scissors if they say no. If they say yes, she will remove her mask and ask them again. If the person says no or screams, she will cut them in half; if they say yes, she will cut their mouth so that it looks like hers. It is impossible to run away from her instead of answering her questions as she will simply reappear in front of the victim.

Rumors of how to escape the Kuchisake-onna have emerged. If you tell her she looks average, she will become confused, allowing you to escape if you act quickly. If you ask her "Do you think I'm pretty?", she will become lost in thought, and you should be able to escape. If you tell the Kuchisake-onna that you have a previous engagement such as an important meeting instead of answering her first question, she will apologize for bothering you and leave you alone. You can also get away from the Kuchisake-onna by throwing fruits or candies at her because she will feel compelled to pick them up, allowing you to escape.

FUN FACT: In 2007, a coroner found some records from the 1970's about a woman whose mouth was ripped from ear to ear. She died after being hit by a car while she was chasing little children. Other reports say that tales of the Kuchisake-onna spread in the late 1970's and caused people to panic so much that children had to go home in groups and were escorted by teachers to ensure their safety.

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Examples in various media:

NOTE: All of these examples refer to the same entity, although the depictions still vary to some extent. The individual representations are only called Kuchisake-onna or the term's translation, slit-mouthed woman. Since the individual depictions of the Kuchisake-onna are not given unique names, only the work's title will appear beneath each image.

Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman

Slit Mouth Woman in L.A.

Constantine

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