Yuki Onna
Yukina

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The Yuki-onna, or "snow woman," is a prominent figure in Japanese folklore, known for her ethereal beauty and cold, often deadly nature. The origins of Yuki-onna date back to Japan's Muromachi period, as evidenced by the renga poet Sōgi's writing in Sōgi Shokoku Monogatari, where he recounted seeing a Yuki-onna while staying in Echigo Province (modern-day Niigata Prefecture). This suggests that the legend of the snow woman was well established even during that era.
Yuki-onna is typically depicted as a tall, beautiful young woman with long, flowing black hair and icy cold eyes that mirror her wintry nature. Her appearance is both alluring and terrifying, with her pale, almost translucent skin resembling freshly fallen snow. She is often dressed in a white kimono, blending seamlessly into snowy landscapes, which gives her an otherworldly, ghostly presence. Despite her beauty, there is a certain frigidness in her gaze—her eyes, cold as ice, hint at the danger she represents.
In many versions of the folklore, Yuki-onna is portrayed as a spirit or supernatural being who haunts snow-covered mountains and forests. She appears to travelers lost in blizzards, often offering the illusion of warmth or assistance, only to lead them to their demise by freezing them with her icy breath. In some tales, she feeds on the life force of her victims, draining them of their vitality. However, Yuki-onna is not always malevolent; in other versions of the myth, she may spare certain individuals, particularly those who display kindness or compassion.
The duality of Yuki-onna’s character, being both beautiful and deadly, adds to her enigmatic presence in Japanese folklore. Her cold nature reflects the harshness of winter, while her beauty symbolizes the fleeting and fragile aspects of life. Yuki-onna’s legend has evolved over time, taking on different forms in various regions of Japan, but her core characteristics—her beauty, her connection to snow and ice, and her ability to contro