Name Meaning
Ohaguro-bettari (お歯黒べったり) combines the words "ohaguro" (blackened teeth, a beauty practice in old Japan) and "bettari" (entirely or only), referencing the monster’s only facial feature.
- お歯黒 (Ohaguro) = Blackened teeth
- べったり (Bettari) = Solely, only
Origin
- Common in Edo-period ghost stories and town legends.
- Linked with superstitions surrounding abandoned temples and dim alleyways.
Appearance
- Usually disguised as a beautiful woman in a bridal kimono.
- When approached, her face is revealed to be completely blank—except for a mouth with pitch-black teeth.
Behavior & Myths
- Startles men who try to woo her or follow her.
- May appear near temples, shrines, or haunted streets at night.
Symbolism
- Reflects societal fears of deceptive appearances.
- Serves as a warning against vanity or superficial attraction.
