Halloween with a Japanese twist

Halloween, a festival that originated in the Western world, has gradually found its way into the heart of Japan. While the Japanese have their own set of myths, legends, and haunting characters, the fusion of Western and Japanese elements during Halloween is nothing short of fascinating. In this blog, let’s delve into how Halloween is celebrated in Japan and meet some of the country’s most famous haunting figures—yūrei.

Woodblock print of Onoe Kikugoro III as the Ghost of Oiwa in the play Yotsuya Kaidan by Utagawa Kuniyoshi.

Onryō are vengeful spirits that come back to exact revenge. They are often female and are among the most feared types of yūrei. The story of Oiwa from the kabuki play “Yotsuya Kaidan” is a classic example and arguably the most famous Japanese ghost story of all time. Written in 1825 by Tsuruya Nanboku IV as a kabuki play, it has been adapted for film over 30 times and continues to be an influence on Japanese horror today. It tells the tragic and chilling tale of Oiwa, a woman wronged and disfigured by her unfaithful husband, who returns as a vengeful ghost to haunt him and his new wife, leading to a series of horrifying events and deaths.

Ubume from Bakemono-no-e (c. 1700), Harry F. Bruning Collection of Japanese Books and Manuscripts.

Ubume are the spirits of women who died during childbirth. They are often seen carrying a baby and are known to ask passersby to hold their child, only for the baby to turn into a heavy rock or disappear altogether. The idea that pregnant women who die and get buried become “ubume” has existed since ancient times; which is why it has been said that when a pregnant woman dies prepartum, one ought to cut the fetus out of the abdomen and put it on the mother in a hug as they are buried. In some regions, if the fetus cannot be cut out, a doll would be put beside her.

Kawanabe Kyosai’s Boatman and Funayurei

Funayūrei are ghostly apparitions that appear on ships and are believed to bring bad luck or storms. They are often depicted as beautiful women who transform into monstrous figures, but they can also be ghosts of shipwrecked sailors who attempt to sink ships because misery loves company.

While yūrei haunt the spiritual realm, Kappa are mythical creatures that dwell in rivers and ponds. With a humanoid appearance and a dish-like depression on their heads that holds water, Kappa are both intriguing and eerie. They are known for their love of sumo wrestling and are believed to challenge humans to a match. But beware, they are also known for their mischievous behavior and are said to challenge humans to sumo wrestling matches to steal their “shirikodama,” a mythical organ located near the anus.

As Halloween continues to grow in popularity in Japan, the blend of Western and Japanese haunting figures offers a rich tapestry of cultural exchange. Whether you’re trick-or-treating in Tokyo or exploring a yūrei-themed haunted house, the experience is sure to be unforgettable.

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