Kijo (folklore)

This article is about the mythical creature. For film, seeOnibaba (film).For the media franchise of similar name, seeKurozuka.

"Kijo" from theTosa Obake Zōshi(author unknown)

Akijo(Quỷ nữ,lit. demon woman)is anoniwoman from Japanese legends.

Mythology

They are normally considered to be women who have turned into oni as a result of karma and resentment, with the younger ones being called "kijo" while the ones that look like old ladies are calledonibaba( quỷ bà, "demon hag" ).They often appear in Japanese legends, folktales, fairy tales, and performing arts, and famous among them areMomiji(from The Legend of Momiji andMomijigari) fromTogakushi,Shinano Province(now the town of Kinasa,Nagano,Nagano Prefecture) andSuzuka Gozenfrom theSuzuka Mountains.

The onibaba of Adachigahara (Kurozuka) had "baba" in her name, but she is also considered a kijo.Also, theTosa Obake Zōshi(author unknown) that spelled out tales of yōkai inTosa Province(nowKōchi Prefecture) had, under the title of "Kijo," stated that an oni woman (kijo) with hair of a length 4 shaku and 8 sun (about 150 centimeters) ate a fetus from a pregnant woman, although the origin of this story is the onibaba legend of Adachigahara fromFukushima Prefecturethat later spread to Tosa, and due to this spread, it became told about along with local legends there.

The word "kijo" is also used as a general term for women with hideous hearts like that of an oni.

See also

• Baba Yaga
• Black Annis
• Boo Hag
• Crone
• Hag
• Kurozuka
• Muma Pădurii
• Onibaba (film)
• The Witch (fairy tale)
• Yama-uba

External links

• EnglishWikisourcehas original text related to this article:The Goblin of Adachigahara