also: やまんば
noun
mountain witch; yamauba
A mythical old woman or witch living in the mountains, often appearing in Japanese folklore.
昔話にはよく山姥が登場する。
Yamauba often appear in old tales.
山姥は山奥に住む鬼女とされる。
Yamauba are said to be demon women living deep in the mountains.
Compound of 山 (yama, 'mountain') and 姥 (uba, 'old woman'). The reading やまんば is a euphonic change from やまうば.