Harionna – Barb Hair Woman

Harionna roams the streets at night. She looks like a young, attractive woman with seductively long, beautiful, fragrant hair, which she tosses and twirls to lure young men to her side. Beware: her hair is her weapon. Each individual hair is tipped with iron or thorn-like barbs. Harionna literally means ‘barb hair woman'.

The Harionna is a mysterious, ambivalent spirit: it is crucial not to offend her or touch her hair without her express invitation or permission lest she attack you. Harionna is most famous for the part she plays in horror stories, but she may be a goddess in disguise: she allegedly brings those she loves to live with her in her magnificent palace. (A hair Demon in the manga/anime series Inuyasha seems to be inspired by Harionna.)

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Harionago; Hari Onna

CLASSIFICATION:

Yokai

ORIGIN:

Japan

ICONOGRAPHY:

Harionna is sometimes portrayed with red hair, but in Japanese artwork this can be code to identify Demons and so may not be intended as an accurate depiction.

OFFERINGS:

Hand mirrors, combs, hair ornaments

SEE ALSO:

• Hone-Onna
• Kuchisake Onna
• Yokai
• Japanese Mythology

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by :Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.