A long time ago (the story has sometimes been dated to somewhere around the 18th century, but this is disputable) there was a servant girl living in the Himeji Castle, named Okiku. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), #Throwback to this beautiful site just outside of, Today’s #throwback is to this wonderful 17.5k hi, Today’s #throwback is to watching these gorgeous, Today’s #throwback takes us to the magical Isla, Today’s #throwback is to #Furnas in The #Azores, Today’s #throwback is to the #BVI and watching t, Today’s throwback is to these cheeky little monk, Today’s throwback is to #Kachically #crocodile p, Throwback to 2014 and spending a wonderful day exp, Porto de Baleeira – Sagres’ World-Famous Fishing Harbour, Cabo de San Vicente – The Cape of Portugal’s Forgotten Saint in Sagres, Portugal, Saint Salvator’s Unlucky PH in St Andrews, Scotland, Legends and myths about Himeji Castle in Japan, Origin of the Japanese play about Oikiku and the well, Story of the legend of the well at Himeji Castle, The restoration of Himeji Castle and Preservation of this World Heritage Site, Boulders Beach, Home to the Urban Penguins of the Cape, Goðafoss – One of Iceland’s Most Spectacular Waterfalls, https://www.artelino.com/articles/ghost_story_okiku.asp, https://seeksghosts.blogspot.com.es/2011/11/traditional-japanese-ghost-story-okiku.html. But let’s get back to the story…. This is the story of O-KiKu-Ido or the Lengend of Okikus well. There are various versions of the legend of Okiku, one of which is portrayed in the well-known kabuki play. I’ve been toying with the idea of writing this article on the North Sentinel Island …, © Copyright realunexpectedstories.com 2020, Okiku’s Well – The Epic True Story Of The Haunted Himeji Castle, World of Mysteries – On the Trail of Bigfoot, Cosmic Energy Manipulation – Free Cosmic Energy Profile, Learning Numerology Online – Numerologist.com Review, The Plan – Paranormal Investigation Software, Mel 8704R Paranormal Ghost Hunting 3 in 1 Instrument, Olympus VN-7200 – Best Digital Voice Recorder For Ghost Hunting, Review – 1080p HD Ghost Hunting Night Vision Camera, The Dogon People of Africa – The Mystery of The Nommos. Okiku’s Well at Himeji Castle is often said to be haunted by the ghost of Okiku. However, it is widely accepted by the local people that Okiku’s soul does indeed, to this day, come out of the well at night to scream the number of gilded plates. She served the master of the Castle, a powerful and wealthy lord, whose most valued treasure Okiku … Himeji Castle – Okiku’s WellHimeji Castle is the largest castle in Japan and is allegedly the location for one of Japan’s most famous ghost stories.A young, beautiful lady named O… Legend tells that ever since, the voice of Oikiku counting the plates over and over again could be heard coming from this well. Norimoto escaped death by fleeing to the island of Ieshima, but Tetsuzan seized control of the castle. Norimoto’s loyal retainer, Kinshasa Motonobu, arranged for a young girl named Okiku to serve as a maid in Tetsuzan’s house in order to ascertain his plans. Thanks to the fact that no major battles were fought here, the castle survived centuri… Himeji Castle itself was built in the 17th century, but its full history spans nearly the entirety of the shogunate era. The castle was established in 1346 by the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598), who ruled over most of Japan and went on to build a full-scale castle wall, which became the base for present-day Himeji Castle.At the start of the Edo period (1603-1867), the castle underwent considerable renovation over a nine-year period, creating the magnificent appearance you see today. The telling makes an attempt (albeit a weak one) to fit in with recorded history. She is supposed to rise from the well at night and count to nine before shrieking and returning to the well (by… It is fair to say, then, that the case of Okiku’s Well does indeed fulfill all the characteristics of a potential haunted site, regardless of the lore attached to it. Leave them to rot in the sombre, damp underground. Hear the story here: ADVERTISEMENTS. The plot was averted. It is said, that on dark nights at Himeji castle, people will hear Okiku counting the plates. Okiku’s Well, Himeji Castle Oct. 22, 2020. The castle's focus is architecture and defense with some brief English descriptions. The story of Okiku’s Well is a key story in Japanese culture, where it is now known as Banshu Sarayashiki and has been the subject of many variations in theater and literature. Haunted Okiku's Well at Himeji Castle Kahani Tv. Okiku Ido (Okiku Well), in the grounds of Himeji Castle, is said to be the well that features in the ghost story known as Banshō Sarayashiki. It centers around a castle, known as Himeji Castle, which stands above the city of Himeji on top of a hill and dates back to the 14th century, later having been widely amplified and expanded upon. Tags: sadako, the ring, hosokawa katsumoto, himeji castle, okiku's well, tomonosuke, asayama tetsuzan, chief retainer, tortured to death It is undeniable how powerful of an archetype this is, how poignant, touching and at the same time bone-chilling this scene is, even to imagine. Uncover Travel | Bucket list adventures across the globe with vacation itineraries, sightseeing tours, hotel and restaurant recommendations. SAVE. Ultimately, it would appear that the lord eventually learned about what had actually happened, and understood that a great injustice had been committed upon an innocent and honest servant girl. As punishment for her alleged crimes, and contrary to the more commonplace practice of forcing her to commit ritual suicide by the Gates, she was actually murdered, via gruesome torture mutilation, and her lifeless remains were thrown into the well. Okiku’s Well at Himeji Castle is often said to be haunted by the ghost of Okiku. It is both a national treasure and a UNESCO world heritage site. The place that inspired Japanese horror film, "The Ring," and its American remake, the Himeji Castle is Japan's largest surviving castle. Due to Okiku's refusal to accept Tetsuzan, he tortured her to death in the well located in the grounds of Himeji Castle, which is portrayed in this photo. The castle was built somewhere between 1333 and 1346 (originally named Himeyama Castle) as a home for the lord of Himeji. The tale of Okiku’s Well then goes on to explain that, every night between the hours of two and three, the restless and deeply troubled soul of the servant girl rises from within the well, that had become her watery grave for crimes she did not commit. The Okiku well lies in the grounds of Himeji Castle in Japan the castle dates back to 1333 and stands in the city of Himeji. Himeji Castle (姫路城, Himeji-jō) is a hilltop Japanese castle complex situated in the city of Himeji which is located in the Hyōgo Prefecture of Japan.The castle is regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture, comprising a network of 83 rooms with advanced defensive systems from the feudal period. She served the master of the Castle, a powerful and wealthy lord, whose most valued treasure Okiku was entrusted with guarding. It is spotless, surviving a takeover … It is even said that the horrendous punishments were inflicted on Okiku by none other than the chief himself. Loading... Unsubscribe from Kahani Tv? Himeji Castle Half Day Walking Tour (From $75.85) Himeji Castle Walk in Kimono Selected by a Professional Kimono Fabrics Dealer (From $53.68) Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide (From $103.83) World Heritage of Himeji Castle and … Okiku counted the … After learning of Okiku’s actions, Danshirā forced her into marriage in exchange for sparing her life but Okiku turned Danshirā down. There are various versions of the legend of Okiku, one of which is portrayed in the well-known kabuki play. On one occasion, Okiku accidentally overhead a conversation between a couple of the lord’s chiefs, where they appeared to be making plans and conspiring to take his life. There are a lot of reasons to be interested in the feudal era of Japanese history. Okiku's Well (Banshu Sarayashiki) at Himeji Castle - Himeji, Japan In the center of Himeji, Japan on a hill top above the city, the tower of Himeji Castle rises into the skyline. Nevertheless, Okiku still failed to accept his advances and so Danshirā slew her and threw her body down a well. Now, at this point, we should point out the well known fact (especially among paranormal researchers and aficionados) that it is quite common for hauntings, in particular those that are strictly attached to a specific location or item, to originate when a sequence of events takes place in close proximity to the location in question, and when the events have been of an extremely distasteful, painful and/or unjust nature. Yes, the well! Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. The well is located at the base of the castle, close to what has become known as the Suicide Gates (this is the place where those who had fallen from grace where compelled to take their lives to restore their lost honor), and is thought to have been used for cleaning up after various Hara-Kiri ceremonies that likely took place right next to it. She apparently rises from the well, but when she realizes that she is missing a 10th plate, she stops counting, shrieks, and descends back into the well. The Ningyo Joruri version is set in Himeji Castle, a popular tourist attraction at the castle is Okiku-Ido, or Okiku's Well. Okiku’s well in the grounds of Himeji castle. SHARE EPISODE; COMMUNITY ; EMBED EDIT SHARE ABOUT THIS EPISODE The place that inspired Japanese horror film, "The Ring," and its American remake, the Himeji Castle is Japan's largest surviving castle. We travelled from Kyoto for the day which only took 45 minutes thanks to the technological wonders of the Japanese bullet trains and the cost savings of the JR Pass which had already more than paid for itself. There are amazing legends and stories, cultural traditions that defined Japanese ideologies for centuries, and some pretty cool art. And what she does when once risen is what truly makes this haunted location so compelling: her soul begins screaming, meticulously counting the the gilded plates, starting at ONE, and gradually getting louder and louder as she gets to TEN. The interesting part, however, is that it seems that this ghostly behavior started almost immediately after the events of her death took place. It has been designated both an official National Treasure and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Okiku overheard the plot and reported it to her lover, a loyal warrior. Photo by Chris Gladis. Licensed under Creative Commons. Previously: The Wind Telephone. So the chief, who had managed to escape the dominions of Himoji, began to plot against Okiku. Let alone to witness. We do not have any more facts about this story, or about what may have occurred in its aftermath. Forever in a state of desperate unrest, unable to forgive or forget the terrible wrongdoings of her murderer, and the unrequited love she was forced to hold to herself, even in death. Himeji Castle is unlike many other Japanese castles – it was never destroyed in wars, earthquakes or fires and survives in its original form. Traditionally, this is where the hapless maid's body was … She is supposed to rise from the well at night and count to nine before shrieking and returning to the well … Somewhere like… a well? Period/location of origin: Subject is located on the grounds of Himeji Castle, which stands in the Hyogo Prefecture city of Himeji in Japan’s Kansai region. This well is preserve and being taken cared of inside the Himeji Castle in Japan. However, over time the story has changed somewhat and even the location of the Well itself has been questioned. Himeji Castle got its start actually much earlier in 1346 during the Northern and Southern Courts period when warlord Sadanori Akamatsu had a fortification built in an area of Himeji called Himeyama. Created with sketchtool. ... 姫路城 Himeji Castle filmed with α7R II - 4K Super 35 Format | α | Sony - Duration: 4:31. Within the Himeji Castle complex, the Western Corridor building has a much more interesting story about Princess Sen. Next door to Himeji Castle, Koko-en is a very nice garden worth a stroll. In the Himeji version, Okiku was a servant of Aoyama, a retainer who planned a plot against his lord. Danshirō gathered Okiku’s body into his arms, and with a last, wistful look at her beauty, a lament to that which he would never own, he threw her into the castle’s well. This treasure consisted of ten gilded plates, of incalculable value and great beauty. 73 Views. New DNA evidence solves medical and murder mysteries of the Royal family. The two offer a combination ticket at a good discount. This knowledge, combined with the persistent haunting at the well, ended up driving him insane. The term ‘Okiku’s Well’ refers to one of the most well known legends in Japanese lore, as well as the alleged location where it took place. Photo Credit: Gragma's Yokai Tourbus. Himeji Castle Half Day Walking Tour (From US$75.85) Himeji Castle Walk in Kimono Selected by a Professional Kimono Fabrics Dealer (From US$53.68) Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide (From US$103.83) World Heritage of Himeji Castle and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge walking tour from Osaka (From US$176.79) Secrets. As one version goes, around the year 1500, Aoyama Tetsuzan, the regent to the lord of Himeji Castle, Kodera Norimoto, plotted with Chānotsubo Danshirā to kill Norimoto and take over the castle. A long time ago (the story has sometimes been dated to somewhere around the 18th century, but this is disputable) there was a servant girl living in the Himeji Castle, named Okiku. Find the perfect himeji castle japan well stock photo. If you have any thoughts or opinions on the subject we have covered here today, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below. Because of the confidence the lord had placed upon her to guard his most valued treasure, once it became clear that one of the plates had been stolen, the lord was convinced that Okiku stole it. The castle's most unique feature is the maze that surrounds the castle in the dense wooding. Ghosts. Every night she would rise and scream the numbers, and every night she would wake up the lord from his sleep, inside the castle. This castle was built in the early 14th century and several hundred years later it was expanded. Himeji Castle is a World Heritage Site and is considered to be the best preserved surviving castle in Japan. Okiku’s Well Himeji Castle is the largest castle in Japan and is allegedly the location for one of Japan’s most famous ghost stories. However, the chief in question somehow learned about the fact that Okiku had revealed his plans to the lord, and therefore turned his murderous intentions towards her, instead. Okiku Ido (Okiku Well), in the grounds of Himeji Castle, is said to be the well that features in the ghost story known as Banshō Sarayashiki. No need to register, buy now! It is said that Tetsuzan went insane from the haunting. Even though, over time, the story itself has suffered many changes, and there seems to be even some legitimate doubt as to the actual site of the well, it is a very well established ghost story and haunting that resonates to this day. This was put in place as a defense measure. Most visitors to Himeji castle will make their way from the major cities in the nearby Kansai area; Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe. It is said the samurai Lord Aoyama Tessan had a young servant girl called… Himeji Castle Half Day Walking Tour (From US$75.85) Himeji Castle Walk in Kimono Selected by a Professional Kimono Fabrics Dealer (From US$53.68) Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide (From US$103.83) World Heritage of Himeji Castle and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge walking tour from Osaka (From US$176.79) Image my own. One of the tourist attractions on Himeji Castle is Okiku's well. Monotobu and his companions eventually destroyed Tetsuzan and his conspirators, and Okiku was enshrined in Jānisho Shrine as Okiku Daimyājin. Having learned of the would-be assassin’s plot to kill Norimoto, Okiku passed word to Motobonu. Unable to bear Okiku’s rejection, Danshirā hid one of the ten plates that were treasured posessions of the Aoyama family, and framed Okiku for the theft. So, where's the one place you can experience all of this? Himeji Castle Half Day Walking Tour (From US$75,85) Himeji Castle Walk in Kimono Selected by a Professional Kimono Fabrics Dealer (From US$53,68) Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide (From US$103,83) World Heritage of Himeji Castle and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge walking tour from Osaka (From US$176,79) Himeji Castle, in the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan. realune11 Himeji Castle (Himejijo, in Japanese) is a stark white castle building sitting on top of a forested hill in Hyogo Prefecture. Because its grounds and infrastructure are so well preserved, it is often referred to as Japan’s most spectacular castle. But at Himeji Castle, there are still those who say they have heard Okiku’s howls in the still quiet hours of the early morning. Type: PI (Prison for the Incorporeal). Consequently, she was tried and found guilty, not only of the theft, but also of fabricating a plot against the person of the chief (the actual thief and mastermind). Okiku’s Well at Himeji Castle is often said to be haunted by the ghost of Okiku. September 28, 2020 Many locals and visitors come in early spring to admire the cherry blossoms in the surrounding grounds and to picnic and spend the Although the Castle and its grounds are very beautiful the Well its self-holds a very dark secret. A young, beautiful lady named Okiku was blamed for the loss of a plate - one from a set of ten, a valuable family treasure. Naturally, she became fearful for the life of her beloved superior, so she decided to tell him about the plans she had just overheard. Himeji Castle is said to be incredibly lucky. Though the castle was originally planned to be built in said wooding. Himeji Castle Half Day Walking Tour (From US$75.85) Himeji Castle Walk in Kimono Selected by a Professional Kimono Fabrics Dealer (From US$53.68) Himeji Half-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide (From US$103.83) World Heritage of Himeji Castle and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge walking tour from Osaka (From US$176.79) She is supposed to rise from the well at night and count to nine before shrieking and returning to the well (by… Okiku’s Well, Himeji Castle. … However, the haunting we are going to talk about here has nothing to do with the poor souls who met their demise at the point of their own sword at the Suicide Gates. These days it's possible to visit Okiku's Well, but only on a tour of Himeji Castle, generally considered the finest castle in Japan. The Legend Of Okiku’s Well. If you don’t have the JR pass you might choose a slightly slower local train at a substantial cost savings. 00:43:55 ITUNES RSS LINK. At the time, it was more like a small fort than a castle, and it was later during the Age of Warring States that it was expanded and made into a citadel by the warlord Shigetaka Kuroda. Apparently, over time the servant girl development feelings for the lord of the castle; however, because of her position and difference of status with respect to him, she did not make there feelings known. The following is a Banshu account that dates back to 1577. The haunting of Okiku’s Well at Himeji Castle is one of Japans most famous ghost stories and known as Nanshu Sara-Yashiki. To accomplish this, he decided to steal one the precious gilded plates that Okiku was entrusted with. Counted the … one of Japans most famous ghost stories and known as Nanshu Sara-Yashiki best surviving... Since, the voice of Oikiku counting the plates over and over again could heard... Down a well the well-known kabuki play over time the story has changed and! 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