During the Heian period, spanning the late 10th to early 11th century, Japan saw the rise of unparalleled artistic prowess and the ascendancy of the Fujiwara clan. Yet, within those illustrious histories are lesser-known records from distant villages, brimming with eerie tales. Historians, oscillating between fascination and scepticism, have delved into these narratives that speak of an unsettling presence — of villagers who felt the invisible gaze of something malevolent stalking them at night. As these events were recounted and passed down, they began to meld with ancient legends of demons and spirits.