Tsurara-onna (氷柱女)

Name Meaning

Tsurara-onna (氷柱女) translates to "icicle woman," describing her wintry origins and icy appearance.

  • Tsurara (氷柱) = Icicle
  • Onna (女) = Woman

Origin

  • Believed to be born from the spiritual essence of an icicle during harsh winter nights.
  • Folktales often mention her appearing in regions with heavy snowfall.

Appearance

  • Appears as a pale, beautiful woman with long black hair.
  • Sometimes described as wearing a kimono of shimmering frost.
  • Melts away or vanishes as the temperature warms.

Behavior & Myths

  • May fall in love with a man, especially one who sees her first.
  • Can be gentle or deadly depending on the version—some tales end in tragedy.
  • May melt away in spring or disappear if her identity is questioned.

Symbolism

  • Represents fleeting beauty and the sadness of winter parting.
  • Serves as a caution about being enchanted by surface appearances.
  • Sometimes seen as a counterpart to the snow woman (Yuki-onna).
Tsurara-onna illustration
Icicle yokai woman