Hyakume : The 100 eyed Guardian

Hyakume

Introduction

In the eerie realms of Japanese folklore, the Hyakume — meaning “hundred eyes” — exists as a vigilant and unsettling presence. This yokai, or supernatural creature, is often depicted haunting abandoned temples and graveyards, silently observing the living with its multitude of eyes. Unlike malevolent spirits, Hyakume is more guardian than aggressor, standing watch at the threshold between the human world and the divine. Tales about this creature have persisted through centuries, reinforced by classic yokai collections such as Gazu Hyakki Yagyō by Toriyama Sekien and Ehon Hyaku Monogatari by Takehara Shunsensai. These historical works helped solidify Hyakume’s eerie image in the pantheon of Japanese supernatural beings.

Physical Traits

The most iconic feature of the Hyakume is undoubtedly the blanket of eyes that covers its entire body. These numerous, luminous yellow eyes blink independently, giving the creature a grotesquely sentient appearance. Each eye seems to possess a life of its own, making the yokai feel less like a singular being and more like a collective consciousness. The underlying body is described as fleshy and gelatinous, and in poor lighting or with its eyes closed, the creature’s form can resemble a formless blob, akin to the nuppeppō yokai. Its size is comparable to that of an average human, though its appearance makes it anything but ordinary. With thin, frail arms and a blobby torso, the Hyakume may seem physically harmless—but its power lies in its perception.

Family

Unlike gods, demons, or spirits that trace their origins to divine parents or yokai families, the Hyakume is a singular being. It lacks any familial narrative or backstory in classical folklore. Its presence is symbolic—representing ceaseless watchfulness and spiritual guardianship rather than legacy or lineage. Some researchers speculate that Hyakume may have descended from forgotten guardian deities whose roles diminished over time, transforming them into creatures of mystery and solitude. In mythological terms, it is more a concept personified than a character with a genealogical background.

Other names

The name “Hyakume” is the most common identifier, directly translating to “hundred eyes.” However, some confusion arises with similar yokai like Dodomeki, a female spirit with eyes on her arms that symbolize her history of theft. Despite their visual resemblance, these two beings differ significantly in origin and behavior. While Dodomeki is a cursed human-turned-yokai, Hyakume has no such backstory. Occasionally, in modern fiction or regional tales, Hyakume has been conflated with other entities like Tsuri Onna or Tsurube Otoshi, though these are distinct spirits with different domains. In pop culture, alternate names like “Hyakume Boy”  have emerged, particularly in anime adaptations like Akuma-kun.

Powers and Abilities

Hyakume’s abilities are as unusual as its appearance. The most chilling among them is its power to detach its eyes and send them out as scouts. These eyes can fly independently, track people, and even adhere to a person’s body to act as a spiritual GPS. This ability makes Hyakume an unparalleled observer—it sees everything, and once it’s seen you, it can continue to monitor you from afar. Some stories suggest that these detached eyes can return information to Hyakume, allowing it to assess someone’s intent, morality, or potential threat.

In some legends and modern interpretations, Hyakume has abilities beyond mere surveillance. It can emit blinding flashes of light from its many eyes, disorienting or temporarily stunning intruders. In gaming adaptations like Pathfinder, the Hyakume is given a more sinister twist—capable of stealing memories, corrupting knowledge, or even vanishing from a person’s mind entirely. This power to erase its presence makes it a chilling metaphor for forgotten spirits or hidden watchers in sacred places. Despite these powers, Hyakume rarely engages in outright violence, preferring to deter, confuse, or frighten trespassers rather than attack them directly.

Modern Day Influence

Although not as universally recognized as fox spirits or oni, the Hyakume has made notable appearances in contemporary Japanese media. It is a recurring figure in the Akuma-kun anime and manga series, where it appears as Hyakume Child, a green-skinned being with eyes spread across his face and torso. Here, the yokai plays an active role as one of the Twelve Apostles, showcasing its signature eye-based abilities, including a radiant beam attack used to stun crowds.

The Hyakume also finds a place in the long-running GeGeGe no Kitarō series, created by Shigeru Mizuki, a key figure in bringing yokai to modern audiences. In these stories, Hyakume is often portrayed as a misunderstood creature rather than a villain, highlighting the shift in how yokai are perceived—from terrifying spirits to cultural symbols.

Visual artists such as Takashi Murakami have also drawn inspiration from the Hyakume. His sculpture of a Buddha-like figure with an oval head covered in eyes is a direct nod to this yokai, blending spiritual imagery with pop surrealism. Additionally, role-playing games and yokai encyclopedias often include the Hyakume as a creature of mystery, knowledge, and vigilance.

Hyakume’s continued presence in Japanese culture reflects an enduring fascination with unseen guardians, and how myths adapt with time while preserving their essence. Whether as a creature of fear, curiosity, or symbolic power, the Hyakume endures—always watching, always waiting.

Source

Akima, T. (1993). 394. Akima Toshio. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/f65c/b0a2d25151f4a36ac88a367b0828d0fd25f6.pdf

Hyakume – Explore Mythology – Gods and Monsters. (2024, April 5). Retrieved from https://godsandmonsters.info/hyakume/

Yokai.com | The Illustrated Database of Japanese Folklore. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://yokai.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqEvFAt9uVckt01AL5Oxyl4fxXj797mPyiUUWZ1tV_gTLJEaTtR

百物語怪談会 Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai | Translated Japanese …. (2020, July 2). Retrieved from https://hyakumonogatari.com/

Hyakume (百目) – The Hundred-Eyed Guardian | Japanese Mystical …. (2025, January 1). Retrieved from https://www.japanesemythicalcreatures.com/creatures/hyakume.php