Name Meaning
Suppon-no-yūrei (すっぽんの幽霊) refers to a ghostly figure whose face resembles a suppon, or soft-shelled turtle, giving it a bizarre and unsettling appearance.
- Suppon (すっぽん) = Soft-shelled turtle
- Yūrei (幽霊) = Ghost
Origin
- This yokai stems from humorous or grotesque ghost stories and images in Edo-period art.
- It may also reflect cultural associations between turtles and odd or haunting appearances.
Appearance
- Has a human-like form with a ghostly body.
- Its face is eerily flat and rounded like a soft-shelled turtle.
- May appear dripping wet or in a mist, adding to its spectral nature.
Behavior & Myths
- It haunts those who have wronged it in life or defiled nature.
- Sometimes appears near rivers, bridges, or abandoned inns.
- May be silent or emit eerie groans like wind or bubbles.
Symbolism
- Reflects grotesque humor and creativity in ghost imagery.
- Symbolizes the strange boundary between humans and animals in yokai lore.
- May serve as a warning against mocking or abusing even strange-looking creatures.
