The name Rokurokubi in English translation is called (Potter's wheel neck). Rokurokubi is a type of Japanese yokai back in the Edo period in Japan. There are two types of Rokurokubi, the first Rokurokubi has the ability to stretch her neck. the second Rokurokubi has the ability to fly around freely headless. They both offend appear in the classical kaidan and poems. But we will be forcing more on the first Rokurokubi.
BehaviourRokurokubi prefer to live in the human world pretending to act as a normal human being instead of living in the yokai world. In the day, Rokurokubi will look like a normal human being. But at night, they are able to stretch their necks in a great length. They can also change their face into a very terrifying oni, to search for human prey. Sometimes, the Rokurokubi will get tired of searching for a prey all night, that she will forgot to retract her neck and falls asleep with her neck stretch out. During day light, she will leave a pale stretch marks on her neck.
Tales of the Rokurokubi
In the yomihon titled Rekkoku Kaidan Kikigaki Zoshi which is written by a popular writer Jippensha Ikku during the late Edo period. Rokurokubi was started from human's karma. A monk from Enshu named Kaishin travel along with a woman named Oyotsu. But Oyotsu was due to an illness. And since they ran out of money for the journey. Kaishin have no choice but to ended Oyotsu's life by stabbing her in the neck. Afterwards, when Kaishin return to his normal daily life. When he and a girl of an inn he stayed for a night. They both become attracted to each other and they slept together. Suddenly, the girl's neck stretch and her face change into Oyotsu, and him about her resentment. Kaishin became regretful of killing Oyotsu and he spoke everything to the girl's father. When he was done speaking, the father said to him that he also killed a woman in the past and stole all her money. Later than he used all his money to stay in the same inn as Kaishin, and also have the same situation as Kaishin. But the girl that was born afterwards will normally became a Rokurokubi, due to karma. Kaishin once again entered into Buddhist priesthood, and he build a grave for Oyotsu and stated Rokurokubi no Tsuka (In English translation is called The Rokurokubi Mound). Kaishin travel around the country side to share his story.
Appearance
- In a Japanese film titled 100 Monster there was a scene of Rokurokubi scaring two villains.
- In a Japanese film titled The Great Yokai War there was a short scene of Rokurokubi.
- In the anime Ge ge ge no Kitaro, Rokurokubi plays an important role in the anime to help Kitaro fight off evil monster. But in the movie she is just a side character.
- In the old card game titled Legend of the Five Rings back in 1995, there was a card named Chuda Chiak which this card has the same ability as an Rokurokubi.
- In the anime or manga the character named Miki Hosokawa has the ability as an Rokurokubi.
- In a old Japanese game titled Kiki Kaikai: Nazo no Kuro Manto for the Natsume game console. There was a short appearance of Rokurobi in the game.
- In a Japanese game titled Touhou, a boss character named Sekibanki who has the ability of an Rokurokubi.
Quote
雨ふりて 振り出したる一つ目のこぞはろくろく首のうら目 かひかる
ame furite furidanshitaru hitotsume no kozo wa rokurokubi no urame ka hikaru
Rain falling falling- popsout one eyed boy as for rubber neck's other side?
