The Yamanoke is a Japanese urban legend that originated from a post on the 2chan message board in 2007. It tells the story of a mysterious and terrifying entity encountered in the mountains, which has since become a well-known creepypasta. Below is a detailed explanation of the legend, its origins, and interpretations.
Description[]
The story begins with a man taking his daughter on a drive through mountain roads. After deciding to explore an unpaved side road despite his daughter’s protests, their car breaks down deep in the mountains. With no cell service and no way to fix the car, they decide to spend the night in the vehicle. As night falls, strange events unfold.
The father hears an eerie voice repeating “Ten… Sou… Metsu” (or “Ken… Sou… Metsu”) outside the car. When he opens his eyes, he sees a white, headless figure with undefined features approaching. The creature moves erratically on one leg while waving its arms and shaking its body. Upon closer inspection, it appears to have a grotesque face on its chest with a wide grin.
As the creature passes by, it suddenly appears outside the passenger window near his sleeping daughter. The father shouts at it to leave, causing it to vanish—but this awakens his daughter, who begins mumbling incoherently. Her words change from “I got it” to “Ten… Sou… Metsu,” and her face becomes unrecognizable as her own.
Frightened for his daughter’s safety, the man drives back toward civilization and seeks help at a nearby temple. A monk there identifies the entity as “Yamanoke,” explaining that it is known to possess women and that possession can spread if another woman comes into contact with the afflicted person. If not exorcised within 49 days, the victim will remain possessed permanently.