The cicadas sang their haunting melody in the fading light of the Japanese countryside, a symphony that masked the creeping dread that loomed over the village. Whispers floated on the humid air, stories of a shadow that walked among the trees, impossibly tall and eerily silent—until it wasn’t. A deep, rhythmic sound, “Po… Po… Po…” echoed like a heartbeat in the night. But not everyone can hear it; in fact, if you hear the sound, it is too late.
They call her Hachishakusama, the “Eight Feet Tall Woman.” No one is sure about her origins or why she preys on the young, but her presence brings an undeniable truth—once you hear her call, there is no escape. Her tall, ghastly figure moves with unnatural grace, her wide-brimmed hat casting shadows over eyes that seem to pierce through the soul. Children who see her are never the same if they return at all.
This is no ordinary ghost story. This is the tale of a relentless predator, a curse that clings to those unlucky enough to cross her path. Sit back, but don’t relax too much—Hachishakusama’s story isn’t just a legend. Some say she’s still out there, watching, waiting.
And tonight, she might be closer than you think.
What is Hachishakusama?
Hachishakusama, also known as “The Tall Woman” or “8-Feet Tall Woman,” is a mysterious creature from Japanese urban legend. As her name implies, she is an extremely tall woman who targets little children. She uses different tricks to lure them from safety before she eventually kidnaps them.
According to the stories, the creature stalks her victims for days or months before launching her attack. Children kidnapped by this creature are never seen again.
The Backstory of Hachishakusama
The legend of Hachishakusama started on internet forums around 2008. According to the stories, Hachishakusama was once an ordinary woman who lived in a remote Japanese village. She was very tall, and since this was unusual at the time, she was ridiculed by everyone around. Her greatest torment came from the little children who would follow her around, chanting abusive songs and attacking her with stones.
One day, while she was trying to get away from the children, she tripped on her own clothes and hit her head on a rock. The Injury was fatal; however, before she died, she cursed the children and swore to take her revenge on them forever. After her death, the woman transformed into Hachishakusama and has been hunting children ever since.
In another story, the Hachishakusama was never human. She is an ancient evil spirit with an appetite for little children. After thousands of years of terrorism, she was eventually captured by some Buddhist monks who imprisoned her in a temple. Her prison was sealed with four totems, which had remained in place for centuries. However, one of the seals was recently broken, releasing the Hachishakusama back to wreak havoc in Japan.
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What does the Hachishakusama look like?
Very few people have seen the Hachishakusama and lived to tell the tale. Those who have seen the yokai describe it as an 8-foot-tall woman wearing a long white funeral dress and a massive white summer hat. She also has long black hair that drops up to her hips.
According to “eyewitness accounts,” the Hachishakusama’s facial features are not very different from those of a normal woman, except for a massive creepy grin that spreads from ear to ear.
While the physical features of the Hachishakusama may appear feminine, the creature has a distinctive deep masculine voice. She utters a repetitive “Po !, Po !, Po !” sound in her low unsettling tone. This voice is a crucial part of her presence.
Powers and Abilities of the Hachishakusama.
The Hachishakusama is believed to have the power of hypnosis over little children. It is said that the creepy sound the creature makes can only be heard by the child or children the creature targets. Once the child hears the sound, he is hypnotized and unwittingly moves closer to investigate the noise where the Hachishakusama hides in waiting.
Like many other Yokai in Japanese mythology and urban legend, the Hachishakusama also can shapeshift. To trick children, the creature often takes the shape of a trusted family member or mimics their voice. Using this disguise, the creature tries to lure the unsuspecting child to a secluded environment where she can snatch him/her without being caught.
Finally, it is believed that once the Hachishakusama has marked someone as her target, it is impossible to escape, as the creature will not stop until she has claimed her prize. She places a curse on her chosen victim, gradually weakening their resolve until they succumb to her tricks. The only reported way to escape the grasp of the Hachishakusama is to travel out of Japan and never return.
What does the Hachishakusama Do to Her Victims?
Since children snatched by the Hachishakusama are never seen again, it is difficult to say what happens to them. However, a general belief is that the creature kills and feeds on the flesh of her victims.
Some other accounts say these children are not eaten; instead, they are trapped in another realm and left to be alone and afraid forever. This is Hachishakusama’s brutal revenge on the children that once tormented her.
How to defeat the Hachishakusama
It is impossible to defeat the Hachishakusama; however, special rituals can be performed to repel it. The most popular of these rituals is placing four salt bowls at the corners of the house or room. The use of salt bowls will also betray the presence of the creature, even when it is in disguise. When the Hachishakusama is close, the salt in the bowls turns black.
Some special prayers and chants can be recited to drive off the creature when its presence is suspected.
The Hachishakusama in Popular Culture
The legend of the Hachishakusama has also inspired several adaptations in movies and popular culture. Her eerie presence, towering height, and terrifying behaviour make her a perfect subject for the horror media.
Also, video games in and outside Japan frequently portray characters or creatures that mimic her traits, utilizing her terrifying aura to create suspense and dread for players. This is also true for mangas and anime that incorporate tall, enigmatic female spirits as central characters in eerie storylines.
Hachishakusama has found a home online in creepypastas and horror forums, where her legend is retold, expanded, and adapted for modern audiences. Social media platforms have amplified her popularity, with fan art, animations, and dramatic readings ensuring her tale reaches a global audience.
Through these interpretations, Hachishakusama transcends her origins as an urban legend, becoming a versatile symbol of fear. Her story continues to evolve, blending traditional Japanese folklore with contemporary storytelling and solidifying her place in the pantheon of modern horror icons.