What is "rokurokubi"

n. 1 (context Japanese mythology English) A yōkai in the form of a person who can stretch their neck to great lengths. 2 (plural of rokurokubi English)Category:English plurals

The rokurokubi (ろくろ首, 轆轤首) is a type of Japanese yōkai (apparition). There are two types of Rokurokubi: one whose necks stretch, and one whose heads come off and fly around freely (nukekubi). The Rokurokubi appear in classical kaidan (spirit tales) and in yōkai art works.

Rokurokubi is a tale from Lafcadio Hearn’s Kwaidan. It features a monster by the same name (actually a classification error took place; in reality it features a nukekubi, not a rokurokubi). It features a protagonist who exemplifies the values of the time and age. His name is Isogai Heidazaemon Taketsura and was a vassal in the service of the feudal lord Kikuji. When Isogai’s master was defeated, instead of finding another master to serve, he became an itinerant priest and assumed the name Kwairyō.