Iju (異獣,meaning "abnormal beast") is a cryptid that has appeared in Niigata Prefecture, Japan; this cryptid is also known as a yokai.
It is described as resembling a monkey, but not a monkey; the hair on its head is so long that it hangs down to its back, and it is taller than a human.
Iju is said to have appeared twice during the Edo period. The exact year of appearance is unknown.
On the first appearance, a weaver was to deliver textiles to Tokamachi, 28 kilometers away, and was walking along a mountain road when he encountered Iju. Iju wanted the man's lunch, so he shared it with him, and he helped him carry his luggage. cryptid carried his luggage close to his destination and quickly left.
On the second appearance, a girl was weaving a loom when Iju appeared outside her window. She pointed to a rice chest, and when she grabbed a handful of rice and gave it to Iju, he was delighted. Iju was delighted. From time to time, Iju would come to the house to get a handful of rice. One day, the girl had her period, and according to custom, she could no longer enter the machine shop. When she was in trouble because she was late for her due date, Iju stopped her period.
Some cryptid enthusiasts believe this is an early sighting of a Japanese bigfoot like hibagon.
Interestingly, a local sake brewery sells a sake named "Yukiotoko" (meaning Abominable Snowman), with a picture of Iju on the package.