Name Meaning
Nukekubi (抜け首) means "detached head" in Japanese. This yokai appears as a normal person during the day, but at night, its head separates and flies off to terrorize humans.
- Nuke (抜け) = to detach or escape
- Kubi (首) = head or neck
Origin
- Often confused with Rokurokubi, but Nukekubi heads fully detach and fly independently.
- Legends describe them disguising themselves as normal people to avoid detection.
- Frequently appear in Edo period ghost stories and kaidan collections.
Appearance
- Human body with no obvious signs during the day.
- At night, the head detaches and floats or flies away.
- Eyes glow red while hunting or feeding.
Behavior & Myths
- Fly through the night in search of sleeping victims.
- Attack by biting or screaming to instill fear.
- If their head cannot return to the body by morning, they die.
Symbolism
- Embodies hidden malice behind normal appearances.
- Warns of trusting strangers or those who conceal their true nature.
- Sometimes used in horror stories to symbolize uncontrollable urges or dual identities.
