Name Meaning
Hyakume (百目) literally means “hundred eyes.” It’s a mysterious yokai known for its body completely covered in blinking eyes that watch intruders with intense focus.
- Hyaku (百) = one hundred
- Me (目) = eye
Origin
- Appears in Edo period yokai illustrations and stories.
- Often stationed as a guardian spirit at shrines and ancient graveyards.
- Linked to themes of divine surveillance and supernatural guardianship.
Appearance
- A humanoid or blob-like creature entirely covered in eyeballs.
- The eyes are said to open and close in unison or scatter to observe from all angles.
- Some versions depict it as having a single large eye surrounded by smaller ones.
Behavior & Myths
- Watches over sacred areas and punishes intruders with curses or bad luck.
- Some believe it can see into people’s hearts and expose hidden sins.
- A single blink from all eyes can ward off evil spirits or dispel illusions.
Symbolism
- Symbolizes omniscient protection and spiritual vigilance.
- May represent the divine presence always watching over sacred ground.
- Invoked in some rituals to protect boundaries from impurity.
