Rokurokubi ろくろ首

Rokurokubi (ろくろ首), the “Long-Necked Woman,” is a classic tragic-horror yokai—a human woman who appears perfectly normal by day, but whose neck stretches like a snake at night as her head wanders the house in search of oil or human warmth.

Meaning and Origin

The name Rokuro refers to a potter’s wheel or a pulley, describing the specialized “spinning” and “stretching” motion of her neck.

Unlike many yokai that are born as monsters, a Rokurokubi is usually a human being who has been cursed. This curse is often the result of an “inherited sin”—perhaps her father killed a cat or her mother committed a crime against a shrine. She is a victim of Karma, her monstrous nature a physical manifestation of a debt her family has failed to pay.

Characteristics

By day, a Rokurokubi is indistinguishable from any other young woman. She often marries, has children, and lives a quiet life. However, once she falls into a deep sleep, her mind loses control over her body. Her neck begins to stretch, growing thin and long enough to reach any corner of the house.

There are two types: the Rokurokubi, whose head stays attached by a thread-like neck, and the Nukekubi, whose head detaches completely to fly through the window. The Rokurokubi’s head often “licks” the oil from traditional lamps or whispers into the ears of sleeping family members. Cruelly, many Rokurokubi are completely unaware of their condition, believing their nightly wandering is just a vivid and tiring dream.

Legends

A common legend involves a samurai who discovers his wife’s secret. He watches as she sleeps and her neck begins to spiral around the room like a snake. Instead of killing her, he tries to help her find a cure.

In another, more sinister tale, a traveling monk stays at an inn where he discovers the entire family are Rokurokubi. He finds their bodies sleeping, but their heads are gone, hunting in the woods. By moving their sleeping bodies just a few inches, the monk prevents the heads from “finding” their necks when they return at dawn. This legend highlights the fragility of the Rokurokubi—their monstrous power is a temporary, nightly escape, but if their human base is disturbed, they perish instantly.