Japan
A collection of the haunted ghost stories, urban legends, folktales and the paranormal of Japan. Japan has a vast and old tradition of telling ghost stories. The old folk tales […]
A collection of the haunted ghost stories, urban legends, folktales and the paranormal of Japan.
Japan has a vast and old tradition of telling ghost stories. The old folk tales are kept alive in the many horror books and movies.
An Article Detailing the Different Ghosts of Japan
The Ghosts of Japan
In Japan, the ghosts are called Yūrei (幽霊). The word means faint or dim and soul or spirit. And as well as language and cultures divides different types of ghost in different categories, so does the Japanese. Here are some of the ghosts of Japan.
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O-shizu, Hitobashira — The Human Sacrifice of Maruoka Castle
Chosen as Hitobashira, a human sacrifice to ensure the construction of Maruoka Castle, O-shizu were promised a bright future for her children. But when the promise were not honoured, her ghost came back to haunt the castle grounds.
Okiku — The Haunted Doll of Hokkaido
The Okiku Doll, is a legend of a haunted doll from Japan were the hair of the doll is said to grow and is preserved in a temple looked after by monks.
The Myth of Oiwa – the Paper Lantern Ghost
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young woman who died. She went on a murderous rampage and she forever haunts the place of Yotsuya. The end.
Ghosts of the Tsunami
The tsunami disaster in 2011 left large parts of Japan in ruins. And some of the people never being found, are still trying to reach home it seems.
Botan Dōrō – Tales of the Peony Lantern
The Botan Dōrō or Tales of the Peony Lantern is a ghost story told since the Ming dynasty in China to today. Most popular through the Kaidan theater plays, it is now one of Japan’s most well known ghost stories.
Anime Horror Anthology Series
If you are tired of watching the reruns and reboots of the Halloween movies, take a look at what that has been coming out from Japan the last decade. Some are considered classics, some are fairly new, they should all help you get that tingly feeling of a scare. Here are five anime horror anthology series to watch this Halloween season.
Games to play in the dark
A collection of five games to play in the dark. Or not, depending how in touch with the spirits one feels.
The Obon Celebration – The Ghost Festival
The Obon festival is a three day celebration of the dead in Japan. Every summer, families reunite to honor the family members no longer alive.
Ju-On: Origins – a Look at the Truth Behind “the Grudge”
The new Netflix TV-series Ju-On: Origins gives a new spin on the franchise. From going from classical jump-scares to an actual social commentary installment.
Onryō — the Vengeful Japanese Spirit
In many cultures, ghosts are put in different categories. Such is the case with Onryō (怨霊 onryō,) It basically means “vengeful spirit” or “wrathful spirit” in Japanese and is a mythological spirit of vengeance from Japanese folklore. They also have ghosts, called yurei, but these differ in the will of the ghost. As opposed to the yurei, these ghosts doesn’t just get over their revenge thoughts.
