Name Meaning
Makura-gaeshi (枕返し) literally means “pillow flipper” and refers to a spirit that disturbs sleep by moving pillows.
- Makura (枕) = Pillow
- Gaeshi (返し) = Flipping or returning
Origin
- Originates from traditional Japanese ghost stories and regional tales.
- Sometimes believed to be the actions of a zashiki-warashi or childlike spirit.
Appearance
- Rarely seen, often described as an invisible or child-sized entity.
- May appear as a ghostly child in white garments.
Behavior & Myths
- Flips or removes pillows during sleep, startling the sleeper.
- May also sit on the sleeper's chest, causing nightmares or paralysis.
- Actions range from playful mischief to eerie disturbances.
Symbolism
- Represents the thin boundary between dreams and the spirit world.
- Symbolizes unseen forces that interfere with peaceful rest.
