There is also the story of the Kuchisake - Onna, the Slit - Mouthed Woman. She has a large, grotesque slit across her face from ear to ear. She often asks people if they think she's pretty. If you answer 'no', she'll kill you, and if you answer 'yes', she'll cut your face to make it like hers.
Japanese ghost stories are scary because they often play on deep - seated cultural fears. For example, the idea of vengeance from the dead is a strong theme. When someone has been wronged in life, like in 'Yotsuya Kaidan', their spirit comes back to right the wrongs, which is a terrifying concept as it shows that death doesn't end a grudge. Also, the settings are often in familiar places like homes or public areas, making it easier for the audience to imagine such things happening to them.
Japanese scary myth stories often reflect the cultural fears and values of the society. For example, the fear of the unknown and the importance of following social norms. The Kuchisake - Onna story can be seen as a warning about vanity. If you judge others based on appearance, you might face a horrible consequence. It also shows the power of the supernatural in Japanese beliefs.
One well - known scary Japanese folklore story is 'Kuchisake - Onna'. She is a female spirit with a slit mouth. Legend has it that she asks people if they think she is beautiful. If you answer no, she'll kill you. If you answer yes, she'll slit your mouth to make it like hers.
Japanese scary stories often involve supernatural elements like ghosts, spirits, and curses. For example, in 'The Ring', the curse spread through a videotape is a very typical supernatural element. They also tend to be set in ordinary, everyday locations such as houses or small towns, which makes the horror seem closer to real life. This is seen in 'Ju - On: The Grudge' where an ordinary house becomes a place of horror.
Often, they involve vengeful spirits. For example, like the Kuchisake - Onna who is seeking revenge for her own misfortune. Another characteristic is the use of everyday settings. Many Japanese scary stories are set in common places such as schools, houses, or public toilets like the Aka Manto story. This makes it more relatable and scarier because it could happen anywhere we are familiar with.
Another spooky story is that of the Aka Manto. It often takes place in public toilets. He is a red - hooded figure. If you are in a toilet stall and he asks you if you want red paper or blue paper, choosing the wrong one could lead to a very unpleasant fate, like being dragged into the toilet or something equally horrifying.
In Japanese doll game scary stories, there are often elements related to curses. For example, a doll that was given as a gift to a family. Soon after, misfortunes befell the family. The family members started having nightmares about the doll coming to life and attacking them. Some even claimed to see the doll's shadow moving when there was no one else around. As the days passed, the family's health also started to deteriorate, and they believed it was all because of the cursed doll.
The Noppera - Bo is a faceless ghost in Japanese stories. It can appear as a normal person at first, but when you look closer, you realize it has no face. This sudden realization of the faceless entity can be extremely frightening, and it's said that encountering one can lead to a feeling of great horror and a sense of being in danger.
One reason is the unique cultural elements. Japanese ghosts often have deep-rooted ties to their history and traditions. For example, the Yurei, a common type of Japanese ghost, is often depicted as a white - clad figure with long, black hair. Their appearance is based on the traditional belief that the dead should be dressed in white for burial. The stories also play on themes like revenge, which is a powerful and scary concept. When a wronged soul comes back to haunt the living, it creates a sense of unease as it blurs the line between the living and the dead world.