柳婆
やなぎばばあ

Translation: willow hag
Habitat: willow trees
Diet: men

Appearance: Yanagi baba are the spirits of ancient willow trees. They take of the form of hideous old women.

Behavior: Yanagi baba appear beneath willows and beckon men to them.

Interactions: Men who approach a yanagi baba meet with a variety of misfortunes. Some are bewitched by her call and get lost in the mountains. Others trip and fall or are suddenly struck with fever.

Origin: Willow trees that stood for a long time were thought to gain the ability to change into beautiful young women. These transformed trees lure men to their dooms. These trees were not forever young, however. Truly ancient willows turned into hideous old hags. Warnings about willow spirits were given as reminders to travelers not to be negligent or careless on the road.

This cautionary tale has a double meaning. On the surface it is warning related to the superstition about ghosts haunting willow trees. Below that, it serves as a warning about the sex trade. As the willow tree is a symbol of femininity, strange willow trees calling out to men on the roads is a nod to prostitution. A man who answers the call and is led astray by such a “willow” might lose his path, his money, or worse.