TITLE:
Analysis of the Image of the Yuki-Onna—Taking the Yuki-Onna in Kōizumi Yakumo’s “Kwaidan” as an Example
AUTHORS:
Chuqiao Weng
KEYWORDS:
Yuki-Onna, Lafcadio Hearn, Yokai Culture, Gender Notions, Imagery Study
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.12 No.10,
October
16,
2025
ABSTRACT: The story “Yuki-Onna,” included in Lafcadio Hearn’s collection “Kwaidan” (1904), not only solidified the image of the Yuki-Onna in the popular imagination but also imbued it with complex cultural and symbolic meanings. This paper focuses on this text, exploring the multifaceted aspects of the Yuki-Onna imagery in conjunction with Japanese yokai culture and gender notions. Through the analysis of elements such as natural divine power, maternal expectations, and the absence of self-awareness, it becomes evident that the Yuki-Onna embodies both the projection of Japanese society’s views on women’s roles and the intersection of humanity and otherworldliness in yokai narratives. This paper aims to uncover the cultural psychology and gender significance behind the Yuki-Onna imagery, thereby deepening the understanding of modern Japanese literature and yokai culture.