A shaggy, seldom-seen yokai sketched by Toriyama Sekien in Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. Sekien glosses its name as “Keu-kemi” (written 希有希見, “rarely seen”), underscoring its elusiveness. He likens its form to a hair-covered “hair-woman,” yet offers little on its nature or habits. Later writers proposed it lurks in damp corners of houses, but Edo-period sources do not confirm this.
Folklore & Legends
Sekien’s original notes give no specific haunt or behavior, describing only a rarely witnessed, hair-covered creature. Modern retellings often place it under floors or around moist areas of a house and credit it with spreading illness, but verifiable local traditions are scarce and no fixed region is identified. Concrete anecdotes remain unknown.
A hair-covered apparition of uncertain origin first depicted in Sekien’s illustrated compendium. Its name implies “seldom seen,” and this rarity is considered its defining trait. Later links to dampness or illness are editorial interpretations without firm oral tradition. Adhering to the original source, only its appearance and rarity are treated as certain.
Character Profile
This section is our own creative profile for storytelling. It is not historical fact or scholarship.
The diagram below is a diagnostic evaluation chart for Kehakigen (Traditional Version). The higher the value of each item, the stronger that characteristic is expressed.
Love Yokai Type Test
The diagram below is a diagnostic evaluation chart for Kehakigen (Traditional Version). The higher the value of each item, the stronger that characteristic is expressed.
Meet your guardian yokai at the shrine
Draw an omikuji fortune and discover the yokai watching over you today.
