Name Meaning
Kage-onna (影女) literally means "shadow woman." It refers to a ghostly figure whose shadow is cast on shoji (paper doors), even though no one is there.
- Kage (影) = shadow
- Onna (女) = woman
Origin
- Found in Edo-period ghost stories and haunted house legends.
- Believed to inhabit old, abandoned homes or cursed residences.
Appearance
- Appears only as a silhouette of a woman on paper doors or walls.
- Often shown standing still, watching, or performing eerie gestures.
- The source of the shadow is never found.
Behavior & Myths
- Does not speak or move aggressively, but her presence creates unease.
- May be a remnant of a tragic death or binding spirit unable to pass on.
- Some legends say the shadow appears before misfortune.
Symbolism
- Represents lingering sorrow and attachment to the mortal world.
- Seen as a warning sign in haunted places.
- Her quiet presence symbolizes unresolved emotion or trauma.
