Researching Monsters...

[Ben]

I'm something of a writer in my spare time (I say "something of a writer", because I don't know if I have any actual talent yet ), and I'm currently working on a short story that would feature three "monsters" from Japanese mythology.

Here's what's driving me batty: I know exactly the monsters I'd like to use - I even know what they look like, and what they each "do" - but I have no clue as to what they're called. I think they've each appeared in USAGI YOJIMBO at one time or another. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Monster #1: A woman with an incredibly long neck. Sometimes likes to snack on human flesh, if I remember correctly.

Monster #2: A cat-creature of some kind who drinks oil from lamps.

Monster #3: A woman with a mouth (or an entire face) on the back of her head.

Got any ideas, guys?

[morna-san]

try this link

http://www.obakemono.com/introduction.php

It'll take a bit of fishing around to find the ones you're after but I bet they're all here

[morna-san]

Ok I couldn't resist:

Monster #1: A woman with an incredibly long neck. Sometimes likes to snack on human flesh, if I remember correctly.

http://www.obakemono.com/obake/rokurokubi/

Monster #2: A cat-creature of some kind who drinks oil from lamps.

http://www.obakemono.com/obake/nekomata/ maybe?
http://www.obakemono.com/obake/aburaakago/ maybe?
http://www.obakemono.com/obake/bakeneko/ probably

Monster #3: A woman with a mouth (or an entire face) on the back of her head.

http://www.obakemono.com/obake/nekomata/ maybe?
http://www.obakemono.com/obake/futakuchionna/ probably

[Ben]

Many thanks for the links, morna-san! I think those are the yokai I've been looking for.

What a fantastic site...a real "Who's Who" of Japan's ghosts 'n' goblins. I've already added it to my favourites list.

[morna-san]

It's fun isn't it! I heard mention of it the other day over at the Hellboy forum and it seemed like the perfect reference for what you're doing. It was a hoot going through looking for your characters.