Urban legends are fascinating stories that have been passed down through generations, often blending truth and fiction in a way that chills the bones. While many urban legends are thought to be mere exaggerations or folk tales, they often contain kernels of truth that make them all the more terrifying. This is why the legend of Bloody Mary, for instance, has kept many from daring to speak her name in front of a mirror. But beyond the familiar tales of the West, there are some truly horrifying urban legends from Asia that might just keep you up at night. Here are some of the most disturbing ones.

The Haunting of the O’kiku Doll

In 1938, a young man brought a box to a local temple in northern Japan. Inside the box was a ceramic doll and the ashes of his deceased sister, O’kiku. Twenty years prior, he had bought the doll for his sister, who played with it daily until she tragically died at the age of three. When the man returned from fighting in World War II in 1947, he was shocked to see that the doll's hair had grown down to its shoulders.

A specialist from Hokkaido University examined the doll and concluded that its hair was indeed human. Many believe that the spirit of O’kiku inhabited the doll, causing its hair to grow. The doll remains in the temple to this day, with its hair trimmed annually, only to grow back again. This eerie phenomenon combines two of the most terrifying elements: child ghosts and creepy dolls.

Kuchisake-Onna: The Slit-Mouthed Woman

Kuchisake-Onna, or the Slit-Mouthed Woman, is a figure that roams the streets of Japan at night, covering her face with a surgical mask. This isn’t uncommon in Asia, as people often wear masks to avoid spreading illness. However, Kuchisake-Onna uses her mask to hide a gruesome deformity.

Approaching children walking alone at night, she asks, "Am I pretty?" If they say no, she kills them. If they say yes, she removes her mask, revealing a mouth slit from ear to ear, and asks again, "Am I pretty?" Regardless of their answer, she either kills them or slashes their faces to mirror her own. The only way to escape her is to claim you have an urgent appointment and can't talk, to which she will politely apologize and leave. Despite her cruelty, she maintains an eerie politeness, making this urban legend even more unsettling.

The Tale of Mae Nak

In early 1800s Thailand, a man went off to war, leaving behind his pregnant wife, Nak. He returned to find his wife and their newborn child seemingly living happily. However, villagers kept their distance and those who tried to warn him met mysterious deaths. One night, he saw his wife drop a comb through the floor and stretch her arm unnaturally to retrieve it, revealing she was a ghost.

Fleeing to a temple, he learned that Nak had died in childbirth. Nak’s spirit, unable to move on, had been living with him, killing anyone who threatened to reveal the truth. A monk eventually captured Nak’s spirit in a wristband, which was passed down through the royal family. Today, a shrine dedicated to Mae Nak stands where people make offerings for safe childbirth and other blessings. Her story remains a haunting reminder of undying love turned malevolent.

Aka Manto: The Red Cape Phantom

Aka Manto, or the Red Cape, is a terrifying figure that haunts Japanese bathrooms, specifically the last stall. Legend has it that if you’re using the stall, a voice will ask if you want red paper or blue paper. Choosing red means a gruesome death, while choosing blue means suffocation. The only way to escape is to decline any paper, though this leaves you in an awkward situation.

Aka Manto’s story is particularly disturbing because it turns a mundane activity into a potential encounter with death, adding an element of paranoia to daily life. This legend highlights the unsettling nature of urban myths, making ordinary places and actions sources of fear.

Hito Bashira: The Human Pillar

The legend of Hito Bashira, or the Human Pillar, originates from the construction of Matsue Castle in 17th century Japan. Faced with numerous building problems, the builders believed that sacrificing a human would stabilize the foundation. They captured a beautiful dancer during a festival and buried her alive in the castle’s cornerstone.

The construction issues ceased, but it’s said that her spirit caused the castle to shake whenever girls danced nearby, leading to a ban on public dancing. This tale underscores the horrifying lengths to which people once went to solve problems, and the lingering curses such actions could bring.