Aonyōbō (青女房) (also calledAo-nyōbō andAo nyōbō) is aYōkai inJapanese mythology.
The Aonyōbō is a blue-skinnedogre-like spirit of poverty and misfortune who takes the appearance of an ancient court noblewoman. Covered in many kimono of older eras, that are now tattered and moth-ridden, she wears the white face of ancientcourtiers who have high-painted eyebrows and black teeth.
Legend has it that they are court ladies who serve noble families until they are married off to a worthy suitor.
The Aonyōbō inhabit abandoned houses, formerly occupied by fallen nobles and ruined families, where they are constantly applying their makeup, fixing their hair, and adjusting their image for the arrival of possible guests who never show up like a lover who lost their interest or a husband who abandoned his wife. If any trespassers arrive, the Aonyōbō will devour them and vainly wait until the next person shows up.