According to Shigeru MIZUKI, a specter cartoonist, Zenfusho hides in a thicket and suddenly appears in front of a person passing nearby; it will do nothing if one retraces, but it if one proceeds, it will scratch with its sharp nails.
妖怪漫画家・水木しげるの説によれば、これは草むらに隠れて近くを通る人の前に現れて驚かすもので、引き返せば何もしないが、前に進むと鋭い爪でひっかくという。