Yasha

Yasha were once noblewomen, transformed into demons by Spirit Stones and their own hatred. They originally appeared in indian folklore, sometimes as water gods, but came to Japan via the teachings of Buddhism. There is a Japanese idiom that likens the more fearsome side of a woman's personality to a Yasha. The Yasha have also been implicated in various folktales about women who performed mysterious ceremonies to obtain dark magical powers. One should beware these powers when facing a Yasha in battle. Among the many tales of women who turned into demons die to their bitter jealously, "Uji no Hashihime" (The Maiden of the Uji Bridge) is likely the most famous. It tells the story of a Heian noblewoman, so taken by jealously that she prayed at the Kifune Shrine to be turned into a demon so that she might kill her enemies. The shrine god took pity on her and commanded her to disguise herself as a demon, then submerge herself in hte Uji River for twenty-one days. This legend is said to be the origin of "ushi no koku mairi", a well-known Japanese method of putting a curse on a target.