NURE-ONNA

Lore

Legends speak of Nure-Onna as a vampiric serpent that stalks humans along riverbanks, coastlines, and rocky shores. Her name translates literally to “wet woman,” fitting for a creature that dwells amid watery domains. Where her human half ends and her reptilian tail begins is often unclear: some tales describe her with a woman’s head, shoulders, and arms, all below which is covered in scales.

Her face is frightening, bearing serpent-like features—including a forked tongue—and long black hair that clings to her perpetually wet body. Like many predatory yokai, she is skilled at blending in. She rarely assumes human form unless it serves her purposes. Certain ancient scrolls even claim that her gaze alone holds a powerful hypnotic effect, coiling her presence around the minds of her prey.