In Japanese folklore, rokurokubi are yokai that appear as regular women but with the curious ability to extend their necks. There are actually two types of rokurokubi, one whose neck is able to stretch out to an extraordinary length and wander around while the body is sleeping. The other is known as nukekubi, and in this case the head can actually detach from the body and fly around freely. These strange extended and wandering heads have been known to lick the lamp oil at night, attack small animals and basically scare people senseless. It is believed that rokurokubi were once human but transformed into yokai as a result of a curse. In some cases it is even said that the rokurokubi results from the sins of a male family member, but the woman bears the punishment by receiving the curse. Considering the injustice of this, it's no wonder she wants to scare people!

🎨1. Backemono no e, ca. 1700; 2. Matthew Meyer; 3. Katsushika Hokusai; 4. Toriyama Sekien; 5. Matthew Meyer.