小袖の手
こそでのて

Translation: kosode (a short sleeved kimono) hands

Appearance: Kosode no te appear in short sleeved kimonos formerly owned by prostitutes. This yōkai manifests as a pair of ghostly hands that emerge from the sleeves and assault welching clients—or whoever happens to be nearby.

Origin: Kosode no te can occur for several reasons, but a common origin happens when a prostitute dies in vain after working for many years to save up the money to buy her freedom. Upon death, these women’s clothes were customarily donated to a temple in exchange for a funeral and prayers. However, if the woman died still owing money to the brothel keeper, her kimono might be sold for cash instead of being donated to a temple. Then, unable to properly pass on to the afterlife, her spirit might instead attach to her cherished clothing and haunt it.