The act of dressing as Kayako Saeki, the iconic vengeful spirit from the Japanese horror franchise “Ju-On,” for a Halloween celebration involves recreating her spectral appearance. This typically includes a white dress, long, disheveled black hair partially obscuring the face, and pale makeup to simulate her ghostly complexion. Often, dark circles are added around the eyes to enhance the unsettling effect.
This form of costuming allows individuals to embody a recognizable figure from popular culture, providing a visual shorthand for fear and the supernatural. Its appeal stems from the character’s ingrained place in horror cinema and the ease with which her distinct visual traits can be replicated. The practice dates back to the early 2000s, coinciding with the rise of the film series’ popularity in both Japan and internationally, and it offers a way to engage with themes of dread and the macabre in a celebratory context.