Name Meaning
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.
