The story revolves around a young traveler who becomes stranded in the mountains during a severe snowstorm. He takes refuge in an abandoned hut where he finds a woman's body frozen to death. As the night progresses, the traveler begins to feel a presence and soon discovers that the woman has come back to life as Yuki-Onna, a vengeful spirit of the snow. Yuki-Onna is a supernatural being who freezes people to death with her breath, and she sees the traveler as a threat to her existence. The story explores themes of isolation, survival, and the consequences of human actions in the face of nature's fury. The narrative builds up to a climactic confrontation between the traveler and Yuki-Onna, which ultimately leads to a tragic outcome for both characters.
By Lafcadio Hearn · First published 1894 · Genre: Supernatural Fiction, Folklore, Horror