Name Meaning
Kuchisake-onna (口裂け女) literally means “slit-mouthed woman,” referring to the gash running from ear to ear across her face.
- Kuchi (口) = mouth
- Sake (裂け) = to split
- Onna (女) = woman
Origin
- Became popular in the 1970s as part of urban legends among schoolchildren.
- Likely has older roots in Edo-period ghost tales and yokai lore.
- Believed to be the ghost of a mutilated woman seeking revenge or validation.
Appearance
- Appears as a woman wearing a surgical mask or scarf.
- When asked “Am I pretty?”, she reveals a horrifying slit mouth beneath.
- May carry scissors or a sharp weapon.
Behavior & Myths
- Approaches lone individuals, especially children, and asks if she’s pretty.
- Answers lead to danger either way — escape often requires clever trickery.
- Some say she can be distracted with candy or confused with vague answers.
Symbolism
- Represents beauty anxiety, betrayal, and fear of judgment.
- Seen as a reflection of social pressures on appearance, especially for women.
- Embodies urban dread and fears of hidden danger in public spaces.
