八尺様 · yurei · Gifu Prefecture
Hachishakusama
Hachishakusama is an unnaturally tall woman, measuring eight feet, dressed in white. She is known to stalk children, often imitating their mother's voice to lure them away. This modern yōkai symbolizes parental fears and the dangers inherent in urban environments, captured in various stories spread among children.
Legend
Legend states Hachishakusama emerged from a rural village where children began to disappear. Her method of deception reflects the deeply rooted concerns of safety and vigilance within communities, particularly in the context of urban childhood vulnerabilities.