Katawaguruma (Japan)

Katawaguruma appear as nude women atop flaming oxcart wheels. They are said to be wicked souls condemned to the eternal torment of burning. There is also a male version of this yokai called wa nyudo.

Katawaguruma are said to reside in hell, but they also roam the earth in search of wicked souls to drag down to hell. They enter villages, putting formidable curses on people who see them, even if the sighting is by chance.

Their curses are said to be contagious: when a cursed victim talks about their sighting of the katawaguruma, they unintentionally pass on the curse to the listener. In this way, the curse spreads rapidly through gossip and rumors, bringing disaster to entire communities.