First documented in 2008 but suspected to be far older, the entity dubbed "Hasshaku-sama" (transl. "Ms. Eight-foot-tall") appears as an unnaturally tall, pallid woman in a white dress and large hat, and is known to appear in remote, isolated parts of Japan after sundown. Little is known about its nature as few people have encountered this malevolent, predatory being and lived.

While Hasshaku-sama does not typically attack at first sight, anyone who sees her or it will be targeted and pursued throughout the night. The only known method of escape is to hide in a locked, windowless room sealed with talismans and piles of salt and not leave until the sun is up. You must take care not to break the seals prematurely even if you are told that the threat is gone, because the entity will speak with the voices of your loved ones to lull you into a false sense of security.

If you do manage to survive the night, you must leave the area as soon as you can and never return, because no matter how long it has been, if you find yourself back in her hunting grounds after dark, the hunt will resume and this time you will not get the benefit of a head start. Vengeful ghost, demonic spirit, abhuman creature, or something else entirely...whatever it is, it does not forget a face.


(with a tip of the hat to the master, Junji Ito)