Kamaitachi 鎌鼬

Kamaitachi (鎌鼬), the “Sickle Weasel,” is a swift and invisible yokai of the wind, responsible for the mysterious, painless cuts that appear on the skin after a sudden gust.

Meaning and Origin

The name comes from kama (sickle) and itachi (weasel).

While it is now seen as a creature, the legend likely originated from the linguistic corruption of kamae-tachi (“poised sword”), a term used for the sharp, vacuum-like air currents found in mountainous regions. In the Edo period, artists like Toriyama Sekien gave this natural phenomenon a physical form—a trio of supernatural weasels riding the wind.

Characteristics

Kamaitachi are said to move within dust devils and small whirlwinds at speeds much faster than the human eye can track. They are typically depicted as slender weasels with sharp, curved claws that resemble iron sickles.

They are famous for their triple attack. In Japanese folklore, Kamaitachi never travel alone, but always in a group of three:

1. The first one knocks the victim to the ground.
2. The second one slashes the victim with its sickle-claws.
3. The third one applies a magical salve that instantly stops the bleeding and numbs the pain. This is why a person often doesn’t realize they’ve been cut until they see the wound later.

Legends

Legends of the Kamaitachi are strongest in the snowy “Snow Country” (Yukiguni) regions of Japan, such as Niigata and Gifu. In these areas, travelers were warned to be careful of “Sickle Winds” that could slice through clothing and skin without warning.

Because the wounds are clean and painless, they were sometimes considered more of a prank than a malicious attack. However, in some regions, the Kamaitachi was feared as a more dangerous spirit. To protect oneself, people would carry a piece of an old, burnt calendar, which was believed to be the only thing that could ward off the “Sickle Weasels” and their invisible blades.