Akagashira 赤頭

Akagashira (赤頭) is an enigmatic and visually striking yokai whose presence is defined by a singular, vivid feature.

Meaning and Origin

The name Akagashira literally translates to “Red Head” or “Crimson Head,” from aka (赤 - red) and kashira (頭 - head).

The specific origins of this creature are somewhat mysterious. It belongs to a category of yokai created or popularized during the Edo period by artists like Toriyama Sekien. Many of these spirits were born from “picture-play” (inventing creatures based on visual puns or imagination) rather than ancient oral traditions. It is often thought to be a variation or a relative of other red-headed spirits like the Shōjō (red-haired sea spirits) or the Keukegen.

Characteristics

The Akagashira is depicted as a small, humanoid figure completely dominated by a massive, wild mane of flaming red hair. This hair is so long and thick that it often obscures the creature’s entire body, trailing behind it like a scarlet cape.

While its appearance might seem alarming, it is generally considered a “background” yokai—one that startles travelers or is spotted in the corner of one’s eye, but rarely engages in malevolent acts.

Legends

Because the Akagashira was primarily a visual creation for picture scrolls (emaki), there are few specific legends or stories detailing its exploits. It often appears in artistic depictions of the Hyakki Yagyō (The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons), where it marches alongside more famous spirits.

Its presence in folklore serves as a testament to the boundless creativity of the Edo period’s “yokai boom,” where artists transformed every possible fear, curiosity, or visual oddity into a named and categorized supernatural entity.