The Big Book of Urban Legends (Not so big yet)

Hachishakusama

Hachishakusama is translated to "Eight feet tall." Can you guess where this is going, yet? This story involves a woman eight feet in height who abducts children. She wears a long white dress and a sun hat, making the noise "Po...Po...Po..." in a strangely deep masculine voice.

A young boy was traveling to Japan to visit his grandparents. Every Summer his parents would take him there. He was their only grandchild, as he was spoiled, like most grandparents do their grandchildren. The last time he saw them in person was when he was eight years old.

Once he had arrived with his parents, they decided to leave him in the care of his grandfather and grandmother while they went on a trip to another part of Japan. Oh and how he loved the backyard. It was large and spread with soft, lush green grass to play on in a hot Summer's day. The rays of the sun were intense, and he laid down in that soft grass to rest. There were few clouds in the sky, and a gentle breeze was brushing against his face. He began to slip into a soft lucid sleep.

"Po...Po...Po..."

He blinked, the cobwebs of rest still fogging his mind. He scanned the yard.

"Po...Po...Po..."

He searched for the source of the noise. What could be making that noise? It sounds almost human. His answer lay on the garden hedge. A straw hat was sitting on top of the hedge, but with a puzzled confusion, he realized that was not the case. The hat was in front of it. His eyes fell in between the openings of the fence. A woman's eyes were locked onto him. She wore a long white Summer dress with a sun hat. Her skin looked rather pale for her fondness of Summer. But...how? She must be standing on a stool or a ladder. The garden hedge is almost eight feet high. How can she be equal in it's astounding height? She stared at him for a moment longer. He was unable to read her expression. It was like she had none. Not as if she were emotionless. As if she weren't human. She turned and made her way elsewhere, the strange noise following her.

Puzzled, and unsure of wether or not he should be fearful, he debated telling his grandparents. After making the decision he wandered into the house, determined to discover who this strange woman was.

His grandfather and grandmother were sitting peacefully at the table, drinking tea and reading the newspaper. He informed them of what had just happened, but they didn't listen too intently, believing he was making up another adventurous story once more. But as he recited the signature noise the woman had made..."Po...Po...Po...Po..." his grandparents stiffened. His grandfather grabbed him by the shoulders. "This is very important, you must tell me. How tall was she?" He said gravely, as if it meant life and death. "As tall as the garden hedge." He replied, a little worried.

He rushed into the hallway and made a phone call. His Grandmother was trembling, her hand over her mouth in utter disbelief. "What's wrong?" The boy asked her. She softly embraced him. "It'll be okay. Don't you worry about a thing." She replied, although she had never directly answered his question. His Grandfather hurried into the kitchen, snatching his car keys. "I'll be out for a little while. Do not take your eyes off that child for one second." He instructed his Grandmother. She nodded in acknowledgement. With that, he left without another word. "What's going on?" The boy cried. "You've been liked by Hachishakusama." His Grandmother told him, her voice trembling. She told him her story.

A long time ago, Hachishakusama was captured by monks and confined it into a ruined building on the outskirts of the village. They trapped it by using four statues by the name of 'jizos.' One for the North. One for the South. One for the East. One for the West. It shouldn't have been able to move from there. Somehow it managed to flee it's prison. And the last time it appeared to someone was fifteen years ago. Anyone who had been liked by Hachishakusama was fated to die within a few days if they didn't do something about it.