A haunting figure emerges from the fog by the river, a woman cloaked in grief and desperation, clutching a child to her chest. But beneath the illusion of motherhood lies something far darker: the ubume, a yokai born from the agony of death in childbirth. This vengeful spirit lures travelers with a child that grows impossibly heavy or becomes a cruel trick, turning their sympathy into suffering. In this episode, we explore the many faces of the ubume, from her sorrowful origins to her eerie encounters, and uncover the ways to survive the chilling grip of a mother’s unfinished promise. Explore more myths and wonders by visiting godsandmonsters.info. Join our free community for a daily dose of mythology at our Substack!