Yuki-Onna/Yuki-Ona/Yuki-Joro/Yuk-Musume/Yuki-Onba/Yukionna/Yuki-Onne/Yukinko

The Yuki-Onna is a ghostly Yokai from  Japanese myth. Its name translates to “snow woman.” They are typically described as beautiful and tall women with long hair and unnaturally pale skin. They hover above the ground, wearing a pure white kimono or appearing totally naked. Sometimes they may be seen cradling a child. They aggressively hunt human victims, but are only active in the winter months. They are perfectly camouflaged in the snow, especially with their ability to shapeshift into a cloud of mist or falling snow. They lead travelers astray, either leaving them to die of hypothermia or speeding up the process with their icy breath. They are known to appear before parents looking for lost children and seemingly hold the lost child. As soon as the parent retrieves the fake child, the Yuki-Onna freezes them to death. They are capable of causing insanity to any who looks in their eyes, and absorb the life force of any they kill. Typically, they must be invited into a home. When angry, however, they may burst into homes with icy wind, freezing to death anyone inside, especially those sleeping. On occasion, they tempt men into having sex and drain them of their life force until death. While unlikely, it’s thought they may spare someone if they beg for their life and swear to never speak of the encounter.

Citations:

Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.