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Tsuchinoko/Gigi-Hebi/Bachi-Hebi/Koro/Koro-Hebi/Tsuchi-Korobi
The Tsuchinoko is a Cryptid, or UMA, and Yokai from Japan. The name Tsuchinoko has been translated as “child of the earth,” “small mallet,” or “mallet child.” This name references a Japanese mallet called a tsuchi similar in shape to the creature’s body. They’re described as short, thick, snake-like creatures. Some describe them as incredibly poisonous and believe they can survive even when their heads are cut off. They’re known to be incredibly rare with many trying hard to prove their existence. There is an urban legend from Kanazawa stating that there is a slope where one night a man saw something tumbling down it. When he approached he saw…
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Korreds
The Korreds are creatures from Breton myth in France. They resemble small humanoid creatures covered in shaggy hair with wrinkled faces, red eyes, goat legs, and cat claws instead of fingers. They’re known to be skilled metalsmiths who make beautiful coins. They’re also known to build stone houses called dolmen. Often Korreds have large dance parties around their dolmens with small fires lighting the area. Travelers who come close to these parties are invited to join and given delicious food and drink. If a human accepts an invitation to dance, they become enchanted and dance until they die of exhaustion. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural…
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Kazenbō
The Kazenbō are ghostly yokai from Japan whose name means “monk in the flames.” They’re believed to haunt Kyōto around the mountain Toribeyama which has been a gravesite for centuries. In the 10th century, it is said several monks offered themselves up to sacrifice by burning themselves alive. They hoped to achieve enlightenment by burning away their ties to the material world and did so with public viewing. It turned out that these monks were not pure enough for enlightenment, and as such their tormented spirits now appear wreathed in the flames symbolizing their sins. They bring no harm but may appear suddenly in front of travelers while writhing in…
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Krasue/Phi Krasue
The Krasue are vampiric creatures from the myths of Thailand. They resemble human heads with entrails hanging down, but look completely human throughout the day. They’re often known to crawl on the ground rather than flying and may use their long tongues to pull themself along. They eats feces to get slight traces of life essence, and attacks sleeping humans to feed through the bowels. They cannot be killed, but can be warded off by charms made by a form of spiritual healers called Maw Du. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us. United States, Kensington Publishing…
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Kappa
The Kappa is a water-dwelling yokai from Japanese myth. Its name can be translated as “river child.” Sometimes, the Kappa are revered as a form of water gods. They are often depicted with scaly skin that is red, green, or blue. Their faces consist of bulging eyes and turtle beaks. Commonly they have a bowl-like dip in the top of their skull meant to hold water. They’re amphibious or reptilian and move effectively in water, but are clumsy on land. They have webbed hands and feet that lack thumbs, and a turtle shell on their backs. Oddly they have an elastic-like waterproof skin that smells like fish and can be…
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Kobold
The Kobold is a form of household spirit from Germany and Switzerland. They test the house and its occupants early on. It carries a pouch containing dust and dirt and will sprinkle some in the family’s milk. If this goes unnoticed, then the Kobold decides it is welcome in the home. They settle in the house, often under the stove. They assist when cleaning if not being watched and keep other spirits from the house. They move on only after the last of the family dies. If any servants were employed at the house, they would have to be taught how to not anger the Kobold, or suffer bad luck…
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Kindermorderinn
The Kindermorderinn is a form of ghost from Germany. It’s thought to be the angry spirit of children who were murdered by their mothers. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for Us. United States, Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2006. Ogden, Tom. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Ghosts and Hauntings. United States, DK Publishing, 1999.
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Teke Teke/Shaka Shaka/ Pata Pata/ Kata Kata/Koto Koto/ Hijikake Babā
The Teke Teke is a form of ghost from Japanese urban legends. The name is an onomatopoeia meant to reference the sound of them dragging themselves with their hands. They are almost always women and look like people cut in half at the waist. Despite the fact that they crawl, they are thought to be capable of keeping up with cars when in pursuit, sometimes reaching 150km per hour. They commonly carry scythes or sickles. Teke Teke can be found in urban areas, commonly along dark roads. Getting attacked by a Teke Teke is horrific, but stories are often unclear about the specifics of these attacks. Commonly victims are cut…
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Qupqugiaq/Kokogiak
The Qupqugiaq is a creature from the myths of the Inupait Inuit people. They are described as resembling large polar bears with ten legs, sometimes the size of a whale. They’re thought to hunt and kill like a regular polar bear, and walk with their feet in unison so their tracks resemble those of a typical polar bear. Catching a Qupgugiaq was often seen as good luck. They are often seen as spirit animal helpers, typically only serving shamans who ride on their backs. Some believe normal polar bears turn into Qupqugiaq when they become the spirit animals to shamans. Citations: Iñupiatun Uqaluit Taniktun Sivuninit/Iñupiaq to English Dictionary. United States,…
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Phantom Clowns/Killer Clowns
The Phantom Clowns are an odd phenomenon encountered in New England, 1981. Many others were seen in various locations during the spring of 1981. Witnesses described various clowns attempting to lure away children, often into vans. They were noted to have targeted elementary school children, often trying to lure children in with candy. Some brandished weapons. They evaded capture and detection by any, other than potential victims. Despite their name, they are believed to be flesh and blood. They do however add a layer of validity to a larger Urban Legend of killer clowns. Citations: American Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales: An Encyclopedia of American Folklore [3 Volumes]: An Encyclopedia…
