Kuchisake-onna
Described as the malicious spirit, or onryō, of a woman, she partially covers her face with a mask or other item and carries a pair of scissors, a knife, or some other sharp object.
If the individual responds with "no", she will kill them with her weapon, and if they say "yes" hesitantly she will cut the corners of their mouth in such a way that resembles her own disfigurement.
Methods that can be used to survive an encounter with Kuchisake-onna include answering her question by describing her appearance as "average".
[1] The story experienced a resurgence of awareness in 1970s Japan, when several newspapers and magazines reported on the legend, and rumors surrounding it spread throughout the country, leading to young children being accompanied by groups of adults while walking home from school.
Other survival tactics include replying to Kuchisake-onna's question by describing her appearance as "average", giving the individual enough time to run away;[2][7] distracting her by giving her money or hard candies, particularly the variety of candy known as bekko ame [ja], made of caramelised sugar (or throwing them in her direction, as she will stop to pick them up);[1][2][10] or by saying the word "pomade" three times.
[12] Rumors about Kuchisake-onna spread throughout Japan, which led to young children sometimes being accompanied by members of parent–teacher association groups while walking home from school.
[2][4] Historian and manga author Shigeru Mizuki considered Kuchisake-onna to be an example of a yōkai, a term which can refer to a variety of supernatural monsters, spirits, and demons in Japanese folklore.
[20] Kuchisake-onna is the female main character of the manga Even If You Slit My Mouth by Akari Kajimoto and appears in Jujutsu Kaisen.
Kuchisake-onna was also the basis for a character that appears in "Danse Vaudou", an episode of the American DC superhero television series Constantine.
[22][23] An enemy called Scissor Woman, inspired by Kuchisake-onna appears in the video game World of Horror.
