Name Meaning
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.
