Dodomeki (百々目鬼)

Name Meaning

Overview

Dodomeki (百々目鬼) literally means "hundred-eyed demon." This yokai is said to be a woman transformed into a supernatural creature due to her greedy, deceitful habits.

• Dodo = Many, repeated
• Me = Eye
• Ki = Demon or spirit

Origin

• First recorded in Edo-period tales and popularized by Toriyama Sekien’s yokai illustrations.
• Represents karmic punishment in Japanese folklore — bad actions leaving visible marks.
• Connected to Buddhist morality and warnings against thievery and greed.

Appearance

• Appears as a ghostly woman with long, flowing robes and disheveled hair.
• Her arms are covered in grotesque, blinking eyes — a symbol of her past misdeeds.
• The eyes are said to open wide when she attempts to steal or lie again.

Behavior & Myths

• Appears at night to frighten travelers and guards temples from thieves.
• In some tales, she tries to repent but cannot escape her cursed form.
• The eyes on her arms are believed to see into the hearts of others — especially liars and thieves.

Symbolism

• Symbolizes guilt, exposure, and karmic justice.
• Acts as a cautionary figure for those who commit crimes or act dishonestly.
• Also represents the spiritual weight of one's actions carried into the afterlife.