Kijo
In its own language: 鬼女
from Japanese oni (demon) and jo (woman)
A demon woman from Japanese folklore, born of resentment and karma.
A kijo is an oni woman in Japanese legends who was once human. She transforms due to deep resentment or bad karma. The term also describes women with cruel hearts.
- A kijo is a human woman turned into an oni.
- Transformation results from resentment or bad karma.
- Older forms are called onibaba or demon hags.
- Momiji and Suzuka Gozen are famous examples.
- The term describes women with hideous hearts.
What it is
A kijo is a female demon in Japanese folklore. She is a type of oni, a class of supernatural beings. Unlike natural demons, she begins as a human woman. Her transformation comes from intense negative emotions. These feelings include deep resentment or accumulated bad karma. Younger transformed women are called kijo. Older ones that look like crones are known as onibaba. The word can also describe any woman with a cruel nature.
Where it comes from
The concept appears in Japanese legends and folktales. One famous figure is Momiji from Togakushi in Shinano Province. Another is Suzuka Gozen from the Suzuka Mountains. A well-known story involves the onibaba of Adachigahara. This tale spread to Tosa Province. In Tosa Obake Zōshi, a kijo with long hair eats a fetus. This plot likely originated from the Adachigahara legend.
Kijo, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Japanese oni mythology
What it is for
These figures represent the danger of unchecked anger. They serve as warnings about the consequences of hatred. Their stories often involve harm to others. Some tales describe them eating unborn children. They embody the fear of vengeful spirits.
Peoples and places
The tradition belongs to Japan. Stories appear in performing arts and fairy tales. Different regions have their own versions. The Adachigahara legend moved from Fukushima to Kōchi Prefecture. Local legends absorbed these darker elements over time.
At a glance: who, where and when
Peoples
Belief worlds
What people believe
Believers hold that strong negative emotions can change a person's form. Karma plays a central role in this transformation. The spirit becomes an oni after death or during life. This reflects a worldview where moral failure has physical consequences. The being remains bound by its past suffering.
Compare and confuse
The kijo shares traits with other hag figures. Baba Yaga from Slavic lore lives in a hut. Black Annis is a British forest witch. The Boo Hag haunts sleepers in the Caribbean. Muma Pădurii is a Romanian child-eating spirit. All represent fears of maternal corruption.
Questions people ask about Kijo
What is a kijo?
A kijo is a female demon in Japanese folklore. She is an oni who was once a human woman. Her change comes from deep resentment or bad karma.
Where does the word come from?
The word combines oni for demon and jo for woman. It literally means demon woman in Japanese.
How is it different from an onibaba?
Both are transformed women. Kijo usually refers to younger forms. Onibaba describes those who look like old ladies or crones.
Are there famous kijo stories?
Yes. Momiji from Togakushi and Suzuka Gozen are known figures. The onibaba of Adachigahara is also considered one.
Good reading and sources
- Kijo (folklore) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Kijo (folklore)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.
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