Ghosts in Japan
- Thread starter larry_s
- Start date
- 19 Apr 2002
- 800
- 9
Those sites were fascinating.
has anybody got real-life experiences with the so-called third dimension?.
A brother of mine went out running a few years ago as usual, with a groupe of friends, they ran religious every morning for months the same six mile route, timeing themselves to improve on speed ect; but the last morning was very different, they reached a point of the run that was the sprint path, and they all could see a light that they beleived to be a torch in the distanct, as they proceeded the light got very intense and extensive, they now thought that someone was trying to play a trick on them so they continued to run laughing at the fool with the light, they ran threw the beam only to be held there for a short time, as they broke from the shaft they all fell to the ground and became ill, on arrival home there bodies had swollen two fold and they where all taken to the nearest hospital, doctors claimed it was fluid and they where treated accordinly, on discharge from the hospital the groupe went straight to the chaple and demanded to see the priest, they where told that, that spot on the road was where a police vehicle had been blown up and the goverment had only claimed injuries for the policemen, when infact two men lost there lives and this was the spirts claiming acknowledgement.
this is a true story, this area still apparently has the two unclaimed dead ghosts, and on occasion, they let themselves be seen.
Ghost stories, I love them.
Debs.
has anybody got real-life experiences with the so-called third dimension?.
A brother of mine went out running a few years ago as usual, with a groupe of friends, they ran religious every morning for months the same six mile route, timeing themselves to improve on speed ect; but the last morning was very different, they reached a point of the run that was the sprint path, and they all could see a light that they beleived to be a torch in the distanct, as they proceeded the light got very intense and extensive, they now thought that someone was trying to play a trick on them so they continued to run laughing at the fool with the light, they ran threw the beam only to be held there for a short time, as they broke from the shaft they all fell to the ground and became ill, on arrival home there bodies had swollen two fold and they where all taken to the nearest hospital, doctors claimed it was fluid and they where treated accordinly, on discharge from the hospital the groupe went straight to the chaple and demanded to see the priest, they where told that, that spot on the road was where a police vehicle had been blown up and the goverment had only claimed injuries for the policemen, when infact two men lost there lives and this was the spirts claiming acknowledgement.
this is a true story, this area still apparently has the two unclaimed dead ghosts, and on occasion, they let themselves be seen.
Ghost stories, I love them.
Debs.
moyashi
後輩
- 15 Apr 2002
- 1,717
- 19
Watch Hayou Miyazaki's "Heise tanuki pontokopo ... err whatever the tanuki story is called" It has a full range of these Yokai.
Also, the movie Totoro ... covers a few too.
hmmm ... I wonder what yokai are called in English.
hmmmmm :::
ghost, apparition, phantom, spectre, demon, monster, goblin
妖怪 [ようかい]
But these don't really portray what a Japanese "youkai" is...
so ... Let's keep it a "yokai", and that's that
Also, the movie Totoro ... covers a few too.
hmmm ... I wonder what yokai are called in English.
hmmmmm :::
ghost, apparition, phantom, spectre, demon, monster, goblin
妖怪 [ようかい]
But these don't really portray what a Japanese "youkai" is...
so ... Let's keep it a "yokai", and that's that
Yair Lahav
後輩
- 12 May 2002
- 51
- 3
Would you count binbogami as ghosts?
Yair
(Hi everyone!
first time on this forum..)
Yair
(Hi everyone!
first time on this forum..)
Nahoko
先輩
- 15 Mar 2002
- 58
- 0
Hi Yair, welcome to our forum! 
I don't have so much knowledge about binbogami, but I would not count them as ghosts. Binbogami means "God of the Poor", so you could classify them as low-level gods of poverty. They are not part of any religion, just tradition or popular belief.
I just consulted my books. They appear as emaciated persons holding uchiwa (traditional Japanese fans). They were first mentioned during the Edo period when large parts of the population became very poor.
Here's an image I found:
I don't have so much knowledge about binbogami, but I would not count them as ghosts. Binbogami means "God of the Poor", so you could classify them as low-level gods of poverty. They are not part of any religion, just tradition or popular belief.
I just consulted my books.
They appear as emaciated persons holding uchiwa (traditional Japanese fans). They were first mentioned during the Edo period when large parts of the population became very poor.Here's an image I found:
Yair Lahav
後輩
- 12 May 2002
- 51
- 3
Thanks, Nahoko,
It was very kind of you to scan in the image you attached. It is exciting. Where did you find it? Does your source say who draw it and when? (whose signature is ﾒMeMoﾓ?) This binbogami looked somewhat different from the pictures I have seen. They usually show a haggard older man in tattered clothing. I could not clearly see what is written on the top uchiwa. The bottom one looks like ﾒkasuﾓ but is it O-bon ﾐ or, perhaps, an older variety of ﾒDenﾓ (as in kooden, condolence gift) on the top one? Can you help me with this? Similarly impressive are the will-o-wisps (kitsunebi) beside the binbogami which usually signify that the picture's subject is some o-bake.
But enough of binbogamis. People say if you speak a lot about them, they start liking you and move into your house. And who wants a god of poverty smiling at you across the breakfast table.
Actually, what never ceases to amaze me is how much ghost stories are still part of todayﾕs Japan. Almost all of the illustrated children books I have seen have ample references to ghosts. A book for kindergarten kids, for example, shows a family of skeletons where gaikotsu-kun and gaikotsu-chan are waving good-bye to gaikotsu-otoosan who (dressed as a salaryman) is about to depart for the office. Had I had this book when I was a child, I would not have dared to go to the bathroom in the dark for monthsﾉ
Another question:
For some reason, centipedes (mukade) seem to be popular in Japanese children stories. Do a lot of those critters (brrrr ﾐ they give me the willies) scamper around in Japan? If yes, how big are they?
Yair
It was very kind of you to scan in the image you attached. It is exciting. Where did you find it? Does your source say who draw it and when? (whose signature is ﾒMeMoﾓ?) This binbogami looked somewhat different from the pictures I have seen. They usually show a haggard older man in tattered clothing. I could not clearly see what is written on the top uchiwa. The bottom one looks like ﾒkasuﾓ but is it O-bon ﾐ or, perhaps, an older variety of ﾒDenﾓ (as in kooden, condolence gift) on the top one? Can you help me with this? Similarly impressive are the will-o-wisps (kitsunebi) beside the binbogami which usually signify that the picture's subject is some o-bake.
But enough of binbogamis. People say if you speak a lot about them, they start liking you and move into your house. And who wants a god of poverty smiling at you across the breakfast table.
Actually, what never ceases to amaze me is how much ghost stories are still part of todayﾕs Japan. Almost all of the illustrated children books I have seen have ample references to ghosts. A book for kindergarten kids, for example, shows a family of skeletons where gaikotsu-kun and gaikotsu-chan are waving good-bye to gaikotsu-otoosan who (dressed as a salaryman) is about to depart for the office. Had I had this book when I was a child, I would not have dared to go to the bathroom in the dark for monthsﾉ
Another question:
For some reason, centipedes (mukade) seem to be popular in Japanese children stories. Do a lot of those critters (brrrr ﾐ they give me the willies) scamper around in Japan? If yes, how big are they?
Yair
- 14 Mar 2002
- 21,050
- 18,904
Hi Yair,
I've split this thread for reasons of consistency and posted a new topic on insects in Japan right here. Hope you don't mind.
I've split this thread for reasons of consistency and posted a new topic on insects in Japan right here. Hope you don't mind.
DragonLady
後輩
- 2 Jun 2002
- 6
- 1
Wow those are a lot of sites. I am a big supernatural fan especially when it has to deal with ghosts anywhere. I live in Chicago, IL. USA so there is a lot paranormal over where I live and I usually end up visiting those sites and taking pictures and other equipment to see if it's actually haunted or just a rumor 
DragonLady
後輩
- 2 Jun 2002
- 6
- 1
Thanks moyashi, I won't forget it. ^_^
samuraitora
先輩
- 29 May 2002
- 903
- 3
what is the salt for
Yair Lahav
後輩
- 12 May 2002
- 51
- 3
For purification. In most cultures the dead is considered impure. Since ghosts are dead people coming back, they also impure. Because of the Shinto belief in the purifying effect of salt, the Japanese throw salt around as a means of purification after encountering with the dead (e.g. when returning home from a soushiki). In addition, salt is thrown around in the sumo ring or when consecrating a new house.
samuraitora
先輩
- 29 May 2002
- 903
- 3
cool...learn something new every day
samuraitora
先輩
- 29 May 2002
- 903
- 3
hocus pocus???
Yair Lahav
後輩
- 12 May 2002
- 51
- 3
Mediaeval non-conformists did not have the opportunity to listen to satanic messages at heavy metal concerts, therefore they had to produce the stuff themselves. A way to do so was by saying Black Mass. It was the Latin Mass said backwards, under an upside-down cross over the altar (on which usually a goat head and a bat head was placed, a la Ozzy Ozbourne). Some parts of the Black Mass were not said backwards but were a twisted form of the original Latin text. For example, instead of 'Oremus' (let's pray), they said 'bibemus' (let's drink) or where the original called for an Amen, they said 'Stramen' (straw). Hocus Pocus comes from the Hoc est corpus meum, meaning 'This is my body' which is said by the priest when instituting the Holy Communion. By today, 'Hocus Pocus' has become a harmless saying, usually heard from aspiring stage magicians.
- 14 Mar 2002
- 21,050
- 18,904
That's very intersting, Yair. I wasn't aware of "hocus pocus" deriving from the Latin Mass. While we're at that topic: another interesting word is "abracadabra", another magic invocation.
While being a mystical word used to invoke spirits for protection against disease, its origins are not so clear. It obviously originates with the gnostics and was found on Roman amulets ("abraxas"), but also used by medieval alchemists and in kabbalistic rituals. Nowadays it's also used by stage magicians.
While being a mystical word used to invoke spirits for protection against disease, its origins are not so clear. It obviously originates with the gnostics and was found on Roman amulets ("abraxas"), but also used by medieval alchemists and in kabbalistic rituals. Nowadays it's also used by stage magicians.
Yair Lahav
後輩
- 12 May 2002
- 51
- 3
"in kabbalistic rituals"
???
Which one? (Let's not include the presently fashionable New Age and Neo-Gnostic circles that use the word "Kabbalah" without ever being exposed to the actual stuff - which requires decades of preliminary studies (Torah, Talmud, Midrash, Tosafot, etc.), superb knowledge of both Hebrew and Arameic and a personal instructor who transmits the oral tradition to the student who, by the way, has to be at least age 42).
Did you see any scholarly documentation regarding the actual use of the Gnostic/Basilean concept of Abraxas in Kabbalistic rituals? (The only thing I can think about would be Gershon Sholem's book about the possible Gnostic sources of Kabbalah, but that book is not about liturgy).
???
Which one? (Let's not include the presently fashionable New Age and Neo-Gnostic circles that use the word "Kabbalah" without ever being exposed to the actual stuff - which requires decades of preliminary studies (Torah, Talmud, Midrash, Tosafot, etc.), superb knowledge of both Hebrew and Arameic and a personal instructor who transmits the oral tradition to the student who, by the way, has to be at least age 42).
Did you see any scholarly documentation regarding the actual use of the Gnostic/Basilean concept of Abraxas in Kabbalistic rituals? (The only thing I can think about would be Gershon Sholem's book about the possible Gnostic sources of Kabbalah, but that book is not about liturgy).
- 14 Mar 2002
- 21,050
- 18,904
"Abraxas in kabbalistic rituals": hm, I'm unable quote any sources on that. Mea maxima culpa, must have been a misconception of mine.
Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance yet to read any of Prof. Sholem's oeuvres, and I seriously doubt I'd ever be able to grasp their meaning. Neo-gnosticism? Maybe, although I'm not into New Age at all (too worldly for such things).
I'll see if I can find any related resources online/offline.
Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance yet to read any of Prof. Sholem's oeuvres, and I seriously doubt I'd ever be able to grasp their meaning. Neo-gnosticism? Maybe, although I'm not into New Age at all (too worldly for such things).
I'll see if I can find any related resources online/offline.
Yair Lahav
後輩
- 12 May 2002
- 51
- 3
>>I haven't had the chance yet to read any of Prof. Sholem's oeuvres<<
Did not loose anything. Boooooooooooooring stuff. Bedside reading for insomniacs...
Anyhow, I have a question that fits this thread better. I came upon this charming webpage:
It is about Chirakashi Sama who appears to be the God of Untidiness. Does anyone have any more info about this popular deity? And what is the connection between him and Dairokuten Sama (i.e. Mara, the ruler of the Sixth Heaven in Buddhism)
Did not loose anything. Boooooooooooooring stuff. Bedside reading for insomniacs...
Anyhow, I have a question that fits this thread better. I came upon this charming webpage:
http://homepage2.nifty.com/nacques/mytown/11.htmlIt is about Chirakashi Sama who appears to be the God of Untidiness. Does anyone have any more info about this popular deity? And what is the connection between him and Dairokuten Sama (i.e. Mara, the ruler of the Sixth Heaven in Buddhism)
Last edited by a moderator:
- 14 Mar 2002
- 21,050
- 18,904
[I applied a new hack to the board, so the URL posted above was distorted - that's why I edited the post. No censorship here, hehe.]
There seem to be no online resources available on Chirakashi Sama or Dairokuten Sama (apart from the page you mentioned). Checked my library too - to no avail.
Does this page perhaps refer to Daikokuten?
God of Untidiness? My brother's room must be a on of his shrines.
There seem to be no online resources available on Chirakashi Sama or Dairokuten Sama (apart from the page you mentioned). Checked my library too - to no avail.
Does this page perhaps refer to Daikokuten?
God of Untidiness? My brother's room must be a on of his shrines.
Yair Lahav
後輩
- 12 May 2002
- 51
- 3
Thanx for fixing up the URL in my post. I must have done something wrong when quoting the site.
The text of the site says Dairokuten and the inscription on the stone shown on the illustration reads the same (窶佚･ﾋ彁窶弖). Albeit sounding similar, Dairokuten and Daikokuten are two different entities. The former, Dairokuten no Mao, the ruler of the Sixth Heaven, is actually a demon who can grant you whatever you desire, thus serving as the ultimate impediment of enlightment. The latter is a deity, one of the Shichifukujin (Seven Gods of Luck).
The nonchalance of the Japanese when absorbing foreign deities in their folk beliefs has often resulted in absolutely charming and sometimes even humorous popular myths. What amazes me is that mythogenesis did not stop in our high tech age and this site seems to be a good example for that. The constant flow of contemporary ghost stories appears to be another side of the same process.
The text of the site says Dairokuten and the inscription on the stone shown on the illustration reads the same (窶佚･ﾋ彁窶弖). Albeit sounding similar, Dairokuten and Daikokuten are two different entities. The former, Dairokuten no Mao, the ruler of the Sixth Heaven, is actually a demon who can grant you whatever you desire, thus serving as the ultimate impediment of enlightment. The latter is a deity, one of the Shichifukujin (Seven Gods of Luck).
The nonchalance of the Japanese when absorbing foreign deities in their folk beliefs has often resulted in absolutely charming and sometimes even humorous popular myths. What amazes me is that mythogenesis did not stop in our high tech age and this site seems to be a good example for that. The constant flow of contemporary ghost stories appears to be another side of the same process.
- 15 Jun 2003
- 1
- 0
ghost in japan
I find this subject most intrigueing and am interested in finding that film but just recently or less recently lol there was a game released called fatal frame/ project zero. based on a true story where some ppl go missing in himura mansion and a school gurl miku goes in search of her brother mafiyu, its very scary but my point is i've been trying to research into it and there only seems to be game references to it so if anyone can prove to me that this story exists especially when there shud be a little evidence please tell me, i cant even locate the mansion as such, tho perhaps its name was changed can anyone please help.
I find this subject most intrigueing and am interested in finding that film but just recently or less recently lol there was a game released called fatal frame/ project zero. based on a true story where some ppl go missing in himura mansion and a school gurl miku goes in search of her brother mafiyu, its very scary but my point is i've been trying to research into it and there only seems to be game references to it so if anyone can prove to me that this story exists especially when there shud be a little evidence please tell me, i cant even locate the mansion as such, tho perhaps its name was changed can anyone please help.
