Sunakake-baba (砂かけ婆)

Name Meaning

Overview

Sunakake-baba (砂かけ婆) translates to “sand-throwing hag.” This yokai is depicted as an old woman who throws sand into people's eyes, usually at night.

• Suna (砂) = Sand
• Kake (かけ) = To throw or scatter
• Baba (婆) = Old woman or hag

Origin

• Prominent in regional stories from Tottori and Nara prefectures.
• Sometimes confused with the folklore of the sandman or local protective spirits.

Appearance

• Appears as a hunchbacked old woman in ragged robes.
• Carries a bag or bucket filled with sand or dust.
• Her eyes are said to glow faintly in the dark.

Behavior & Myths

• Lurks in dark paths or roads at night and throws sand into the eyes of unsuspecting travelers.
• Sometimes acts as a local guardian spirit, scaring away bad people or protecting sacred areas.
• In some versions, she curses or misleads those with evil intentions.

Symbolism

• Represents mystery and fear of nighttime travel.
• May serve as a cautionary tale to stay indoors after dark.
• Symbolic of unseen dangers and forgotten spirits of nature.