Yokai: Yaotome
I’m beginning to suspect that this particular yokai is a Crested Ibis rather than a crane. The slightly curved beak, pure white coloration, and the red face is a dead ringer for the bird. Sadly, they’re a rare sight in the wild. Ok, I gathered some unreliable, but interesting sources about this Yokai. Other than being a humanoid bird in Miko garb(complete with kagura Suzu bells) and appearing uninvited to festival dances performed by shrine maidens, she can steal souls!
From this point forward is my interpretation: Although a monstrous bird at first glance, this mysterious Yokai in Shrine Maiden attire brings great blessings upon those who see her. She will show up uninvited to summer festivals dancing alongside a procession of shrine maidens. It is advised not to be startled by her abrupt appearance and continue the celebrations as normal. Spectators must exercise caution in keeping their mouths shut, for it is said, the Yaotome can extract souls through the maws of bedazzled audiences. Keeping one’s mouth closed can be difficult since its performance are said to be ethereal, other-worldly, and jaw-dropping. Once the procession is over she simply disappears along with the souls that she collected.
