Name Meaning
Overview
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Taka-onna (高女) translates directly to “tall woman” in Japanese. She is a yokai who can stretch her body vertically to immense heights.
- Taka (高) = tall
- Onna (女) = woman
Origin
- Appears in Edo period yokai picture scrolls.
- Possibly inspired by stories of ghostly women seeking revenge or spying on others.
Appearance
- Appears as a normal woman at first glance.
- Suddenly extends her body to great heights, often to reach second-story windows.
- Sometimes depicted with eerie smiles or elongated necks.
Behavior & Myths
- Known to peer into buildings unexpectedly, startling people inside.
- May seek out handsome men or those who rejected her in life.
- Some tales paint her as a voyeuristic or vengeful spirit.
Symbolism
- Represents social anxiety, particularly for women in Edo-period nightlife.
- Often connected to feelings of rejection and transformation into yokai through emotion.
