Mirror-thief of Kyoto: Locals whisper about a demon called Kagami-Oni, said to slip between reflections during storm nights.

A closer look

Mirror-thief of Kyoto: Locals whisper about a demon called Kagami-Oni, said to slip between reflections during storm nights. Those who dare polish mirrors too late might see their faces blink independently — a warning to stop. Folklore says the Oni devours vanity itself, feeding on those who stare admiringly for too long. Housewives once draped mirrors with cloth at dusk to keep him out. To this day, a few inns near Higashiyama still cover every mirror before midnight. Not tradition — precaution.