The Ghost Story of The Snow Witch (1968)

The Snow Woman aka The Ghost Story of the Snow Witch was a haunting story in more ways than one about a Yuki Onna or snow demon who freezes anyone who sees her. Her rules of engagement are challenged when she comes face to face with a handsome young man that warms a place deep inside her.

Yosaku and his mentor Shigetomo, have trekked into the snow covered mountain forest and find the perfect tree they can use to sculpt a Kannon. When a blizzard hits, they take shelter in an empty hut. That night a figure in white enters and freezes everything including Shigetomo. She spares Yosaku’s life as long as he never mentions having seen her. The day he recounts what he saw to anyone is the day she will kill him. After Yosaku recovers, a young woman named Yuki seeks shelter at his home during a rain storm. His mentor’s wife invites her to stay not knowing the shadow she has let in. Yuki and Yosaku fall in love, but can two lovers from different worlds have a happy ending, especially when human demons lurk in their village?

The Snow Woman was adapted from a tale in Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things by Lafcadio Hearn. The 1964 film Kwaidan contained a well-made short film about the Yuki Onna starring Nakadai Tatsuya and Kishi Keiko. This film expands upon it without losing any tension or the emotional punch of the tragic love story.

Fujimura Shiho was mesmerizing whether playing the ice-cold Snow Woman or warmhearted Yuki. Ishihama Akira’s naïve sculptor Yosaku didn’t have as much to do, nor did his character develop much. Murase Sachiko as the shaman who perceived Yuki’s true form set the scenes she was in on fire. The special effects were limited yet effective. Ifukube Akira (Godzilla) provided his own special brand of music which echoed the characters' moods. While there were outdoor scenes most of the film was indoors and felt almost like a play. The judicious use of lighting added to both the eerie otherworldly elements and the ordinary household setting as a Yuki Onna learned about love and family.

The Snow Woman was a product of its time in terms of acting and film and yet was still captivating largely due to Fujimura’s loving eyes that could grow icy when threatened. If you enjoy older films or you liked Kwaidan, this is one to try.

23 October 2025

Triggers: Attempted sexual assault

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Japanese gothic tale

I am a huge fan of gothic horror and dark fantasy and this one was a mixture of both. Beautifully shot and i guess its based on a really popular folk tale.

I am a fan of the simplicity of the movie...it really is very theatrical and natural. Only because its vintage it was also very dream like.

I really like Love stories like these where people just so deeply fall in love that they transcend the boundaries to be with each other....the story itself is so beautiful....a timeless romantic tale which is also very haunting but not terrifying.

I want such folk tales to be interpreted by women and see what they do with it. Maybe because this was interpreted by a man...this felt a bit dry on the part of characters. But otherwise good.

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