There's a bizarre urban legend from Japan about a spirit known as Kuchisake-onna, (Slit-Mouth Woman). I find it goofy... ... yet unnerving. I'm very thankful I didn't hear this tale when I was a kid.
The Story:
In life she was beautiful, until her jealous husband slashed her mouth from ear to ear. Her ghost wears a surgical mask. On foggy nights she comes up to children and asks "Do you think I'm pretty?" When the kid says "Yes," the mask comes off, the victim screams, and the chase is on! She comes after kids with a scythe (or knife), either killing them or carving them up to look like her.
That's one hardcore legendary creature! She makes the Boogyman look like a leprechaun. I bet she'd put the chupacabra on a leash and take him for walks. If she met Bigfoot, she'd make a fur coat out of him. She'd turn the Loch Ness Monster into clam chowder, and spread nasty rumors about La Llorona.
wonderful illo, amazing legend, a treat!
ReplyDeleteI agree, great illustration!
ReplyDeleteHmm... the Man in the Moon though.... is he enjoying that kid's torment just a bit? ;-)
Thanks, Sally and Ghostbuild. One odd thing about Kuchisake-onna is how differently she's depicted in different illustrations. Type her name in an image search engine and you'll see her depicted from cute to silly to gruesome. I'm probably the first person to make a waterfowl version.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why the moon is getting such a kick out of things. Guess he figures he's safe, being 380,000+ km away.
Just generally, your action images are so powerful: they go beyond just the pow of them. Not sure how else to describe it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sally. I really appreciate the positive feedback, especially from someone behind one of my favorite cartoons! :)
ReplyDeleteHata no Kokoro was a Kuchisake-onna in the Touhou game Urban Legend in Limbo.
ReplyDelete