In Tohoku region of Japan, a young foreign tourist was hiking up a mountain to visit a remote temple but reached it later than intended. As the sun was setting in the horizon, he was surprised to see a wedding bride waiting by the temple torii gates. Slowly, she turned her head around and threw the foreigner a big smile. The last thing the tourist remembered, before fainting, was the black teeth of the yokai.
Ohaguro bettari is a female yokai known for her thick white makeup and blackened teeth. She is usually seen, during the witching hour of dusk, dressed in white bridal kimono. Ohaguro bettari will patiently wait, near temples and shrines, for young and eligible men. Those curious, will come withing range of the yokai’s charm and be under her hypnotic spell.
Once the person is within arms length, ohaguro bettari will slowly reveal her wide black grin, inflicting shock and terror. Panic-stricken, the man will flee while the yokai cackles with a frightful joy. Some unfortunate men even claimed to be licked by the ohaguro bettari. The licked area would have the foul smell of saliva for weeks on end.
Past Stories
Many old documents described the ohaguro bettari as faceless (without eyes or nose) which make experts believe that it is a type of nopperabo. In addition to this, nopperabo are described as favourite transformations of the kitsune and tanuki. Does this mean that ohaguro bettari are actually these just mentioned animal yokai? Too far-fetched?
Either ways, ohaguro bettari is still a yokai and should not be underestimated. So if you see a lady in a bridal dress all alone, best to avoid an encounter and walk the opposite direction. Unless, of course, if you want a black toothy and revolting grin.
Yokai Details
- name: ohaguro bettari (oh-hah-goo-roh-bet-tah-ree)
- kanji: お歯黒べったり (おはぐろべったり)
- meaning: sticky black teeth
- abilities:
- bewitching aura — charm a person within range to drop their guard
- cackle of the crone — loud laugh that cancels out all noise except the laughter
- nasty lick — deposits irremovable foul saliva that smells of morning breath
