Tradition: Japanese Mythology
Alternative Names: 手だけがサソリ
Category: Forest Dweller
The Myth
Te Dake ga Sasori is a strange humanoid yokai depicted as an elderly man standing among felled trees. Its most distinctive feature is a pair of enormous, scorpion-like pincers in place of ordinary hands. These sharp, powerful claws are capable of cutting through even the trunks of great trees, making the creature a terrifying presence in the forest.
The yokai is said to use its immense pincers as deadly weapons, cutting down trees with ease and attacking people by severing their heads. Its appearance combines the form of an old man with the formidable claws of a giant scorpion, transforming an otherwise human-like figure into a dangerous monster. Those who encounter it risk falling victim to its razor-sharp pincers, which possess enough strength to fell even the largest trees.
Sources
“手だけがサソリ [て‐] (Te Dake ga Sasori).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). September 28, 2013. https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1010654438.html