Nothing quite says “healthy attitude towards women” like a centuries-old folktale about ordinary ladies turning into Kijo.

Today, we will explore these grotesque, horned female oni simply because they had the audacity to feel emotions.

In Japanese folklore, a Kijo is an “oni woman/female oni” — that is, a lady who’s managed to upgrade herself from your average mortal to a full-blown demon through a cocktail of jealousy and rage.

In the refined world of yokai classification, the Kijo holds the enviable position of being the embodiment of what happens when you really push someone too far.

Think of her as the final form of a vengeful spirit: once a normal woman, now physically transformed into an female oni (鬼), complete with lovely features such as horns sprouting from her forehead, fangs that would make a vampire insecure, and hair that would make a bird’s nest look well-groomed.

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How To Become a Kijo: From Woman to Demon

Feeling inspired? Excellent. Here’s the recipe: take one deeply wronged woman, add a generous helping of betrayal or envy, sprinkle in a bit of isolation, and let her stew in her grudge until she sprouts horns.

This transformation is often fuelled by such intense emotion that the poor soul leaves behind all remnants of humanity, morphing into an female oni who can tear through villages or snack on unsuspecting travellers.

Famous Kijo: The VIPs of Vengeance

If you’re going to be a monstrous ogress, you’d better be memorable. Thankfully, folklore has gifted us some absolute stars:

There is a Kijo called Momiji (紅葉), in Togakushi Mountain (戸隠山), an area currently in Nagano prefecture, or another Kijo called Suzuka Gozen (鈴鹿御前), who was active around Suzuka Mountain (鈴鹿山) located in between Mie and Shiga prefectures.

There is also Kurozuka (黒塚) aka Onibaba — Another delightful figure, also known as the demon hag of Adachigahara. Kurozuka is your classic mountain-dwelling cannibal granny. According to legend, she’d lure travellers to her hut, then chop them up for dinner. Beats knitting and bingo, I suppose.

Same as Yamanba?

So here’s a charming detail for you: a Kijo usually is a young girl — you know, the type who’s probably just minding her own business until life inevitably kicks her teeth in. After a few rounds of betrayal, heartbreak, she graduates from mere Kijo status to the delightful title of Onibaba (鬼婆) when she’s older.

Does this name feel more familiar? Yamanba (山姥), which means the mountain hag. Onibaba is said to be the same thing…well, who knows the truth, but they have some features in common, so most likely.

Are Kijo Still Around?

Well, you’re unlikely to bump into one on your morning commute, but Kijo do pop up in local festivals, ghost stories, and the occasional pop culture cameo. They stand as wonderfully macabre reminders of Japan’s rich folklore — and of what might happen if you forget your anniversary…

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