KIJO

Lore

Kijo is written with the characters 鬼女 and literally means “demon-woman.” In Japanese folklore the word refers to a woman whose soul, under the pressure of extreme emotion, has turned into a demonic being. Unlike the classic oni, who are tied to infernal realms, a kijo almost always operates in the world of the living—acting on her own, driven purely by personal grievance or hatred. Legends emphasize that the concept covers both the bodily and the moral-psychological sides of demonization.

In appearance a kijo keeps a human silhouette to pass unnoticed, yet her true form is defined by sudden ugliness that mirrors the inner curse. A wide leer, razor-sharp teeth, and long hair—up to five feet—all point to rage born of human tragedy. She possesses massive hook-shaped claws that can gouge stone and eyes that flare with a sinister gleam. In disguise, she can appear as a beautiful lady or a helpless traveler, making deception her primary tactic.