Rokurokubi

The literal translation of the name is pulley neck.

Most yokai are born demons but not these. They were born female humans and appear as normal women during the day. They were transformed into yokai because of some misdeed or evil action. Perhaps they offended the gods in some way or perhaps were unfaithful to their husbands. It is believed that sometime even their husband could have committed the misdeed but somehow they have been stuck with suffering the consequences. Either way the curse only happens to women and often they don’t even know that they have been afflicted as the transformation only happens during their sleep.

By day they seem normal but at night while they sleep their necks stretch and their heads roam around. They may sometimes attack small animals or scare nearby people but they are mostly known for licking or drinking lamp oil.