Umi Nyōbō

Origin:
Umi nyōbō originates in the Izumo region of Shimane Prefecture, however similar stories are found along the Sanriku Coast and other coastal regions around Japan. These stories resemble those of other coastal yōkai which haunt fishing villages, such as iso onna. The Yamato honzō‘s umi nyōbō most likely refers to a ningyo, or mermaid, instead of this yōkai. Umi nyōbō are often thought to be the reincarnated spirits of women who drowned in the sea. They are also sometimes said to be the wives of umi bōzu.