Kuchisake-onna
Kuchisake-onna, the Slit-Mouthed Woman, is a terrifying figure in modern Japanese urban legends, first reported by the Gifu Shimbun in 1979, causing nationwide panic.
【Description】
Kuchisake-onna is described as a tall woman (about 175-180 cm) with long hair and pale skin, who usually wears a surgical mask to hide her terrifying mouth slit from ear to ear.
She appears before people walking alone at night, usually carrying scissors or a sickle. She asks: Am I beautiful?
If you answer Yes, she removes her mask to reveal her slit mouth and asks again: How about now? If you say no, she kills you with scissors; if you run, she chases at incredible speed.
【Avoidance Methods】
It is said that answering average or carrying hair pomade can save you. Some say answering a friend of Tanaka can confuse her into letting you go.
【Social Impact】
During the spring and summer of 1979, the Kuchisake-onna legend caused panic across Japan, with many areas seeing children refusing to go to school and police increasing patrols. This legend reflects Japanese society's fear of unknown dangers.