Momiji 紅葉

Momiji (紅葉), the “Maple Ogress,” is a legendary demon-woman from the mountains of Nagano—a figure of tragic beauty whose exile and betrayal transformed her into a monster as bright and blood-red as the autumn leaves.

Meaning and Origin

The name Momiji (紅葉) means “Maple Leaves” or “Red Leaves.”

Her origin is the Muromachi-period Noh play Momijigari (Maple Leaf Viewing). Born as a noblewoman named Kureha, she was a stunningly talented musician and poet in the capital of Kyoto. However, she was accused of using magic to charm a powerful lord and was exiled to the remote, mountainous Togakushi region. Isolated and bitter, she allegedly formed a gang of bandits and began to embrace the dark magic she was once falsely accused of. She represents the Duality of Beauty—the point where elegance turns into predatory danger.

Characteristics

In her high-status form, Momiji appears as a breathtakingly beautiful princess in an ornate kimono, often seen holding a maple leaf or a flute. In her true form (Kijo), she is a ten-foot-tall ogress with long white hair, curved horns, and skin that glows with a feverish heat.

Her primary characteristic is Illusion. She can make a freezing mountain pass look like a warm, luxurious banquet hall. Her magic is tied to the Season of Autumn; legend says that the leaves of Togakushi turned red only because they were stained by her blood during her final battle. She is a master of the “Dance of Death,” using her graceful movements to lure her victims into a hypnotic trance before her horns manifest.

Legends

The most famous legend is the “Autumn Banquet of Mount Togakushi.” When the hero Taira no Koremochi was sent to hunt the ogress, he arrived at a mountain peak and found a group of noblewomen enjoying a wine-party under the red maples. A “Princess” (Momiji in disguise) invited him to join them.

Koremochi was charmed and fell into a deep sleep. In his dream, the god Hachiman appeared and gave him a sacred sword, warning him that the “princess” was a demoness waiting to devour him. Koremochi woke up just as Momiji’s face was transforming into an ogre mask. He drew the sacred blade and fought a massive battle that shook the mountains. To this day, the Togakushi mountains are famous for their “Demon Caves” and their “Blood-Red Autum,” keeping the memory of Momiji alive every time the first leaf falls.