Japanese haunted towns
Introduction
Japanese ghosts are called yōkai, and they have been got close to Japanese people for a long time. Lately, some local areas have developed with yōkai.
Ōbokeyōkai village
Introduction
Ōbokeyōkai village, which is in Tokushima, has developed with yokai. In this village, there were 15000 people in1950s, but in 2013, there were only 4000 people [1]. This village is said to be a birthplace of konakijijī [2] , and has many legends of yōkai. In addition, this village has put up many statues of yōkai, and held some events about yōkai.
History
People in this village has been tried many things to make the village lively. In 1998, people in this village began to investigate this village to find attraction of this village, and found that this village is said to be a birthplace of konakijijī, and has many legends of yōkai. In 2001, they put up a statue of konakijijī, and started to hold a yōkai festival. In 2010, a rest area in this village was remaked as a yōkai mansion, and put up many statues of yōkai [1] .
Events and buildings
People in this village has held many events and built many structures. The biggest event is yōkai festival, which is held every year in November. What is more, yokai night walk, disguise contest, poster exhibition, and guided tour had held [3] . In addition, there is a yōkai mansion as a roadside station, and legends about yōkai are displayed there. Furthermore, many sculptueres of yōkai stands in the various places in this village [1] .
Stories about yōkai
In Ōbokeyokai village, many stories about yōkai has been handed down. For example, konakijiī, hitotsumenyūdō, tengu, kappa, and so on, more than one hundred and fifty stories exist now (Yamashiro Oboke village, 2013). Ancient people scared children with yōkai, and prevented children from doing dangerous things.
Mizuki Shigeru road
Introduction
Mizuki Shigeru road is a street which has many statues of yōkai and exists in Sakaiminato, Tottori. Sakaiminato is the birthplace of Shigeru Mizuki, who is the author of Gegege no Kitarō, a famous Japanese comic. Mizuki Shigeru road has many statues of yōkai and facilities related to yōkai.
Things on Mizuki Shigeru road
There are many statues of yōkai, a memorial house, a shrine, and many shops on Mizuki Shigeru road [4] (“Mizuki Shigeru kinenkan”, 2012). When Mizuki Shigeru road was made, there were only 23 statues of yōkai there, but many statues of yōkai were erected one after another. Consequently, there are 153 statues of yōkai on the street as of 2014. Mizuki Shigeru kinenkan is a memorial house which has exhibits of the comics drawn by Shigeru Mizuki, the photos of the trips which Shigeru Mizuki had, the account of the history of Shigeru Mizuki, and many articles about yōkai Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page). (“Sakaiminato shi kankō kyōkai”, 2014). Yōkai jinja is a shrine founded for yōkai living in Mizuki Shigeru road to live comfortably. The crest for the shrine symbolizes Chinese character ‘kai’ [5] (“Yōkai jinja”, 2014).
History
Mizuki Shigeru road has a history of 21 years as of 2014. Sakaiminato prospered by the marine products industry, but was said to be a place without cultures. To build a culture, Mizuki Shigeru road was made in 1993. In 2000, yōkai jinja was founded on the road, and in 2003, Mizuki Shigeru kinenkan was made. In 2008, the total number of people who visited this road was over 10 million Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page). (“Sakaiminato shi kankō kyōkai”, 2014).
Events
On Mizuki Shigeru road, many events are held every year. First, Sakaiminato sakana ・ yōkai walk, the purpose of which is to walk Sakaiminato including Mizuki Shigeru road. Second, GeGeGe no getatumi taikai, in which the participants compete by the number of Getas they pile. The higher-ranking prize winners receive a gorgeous prize Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page). (Sakaiminato shi kankō kyōkai, 2014).
Yōkai Street in Kyoto
Introduction
In Yōkai Street, many yōkai appear, which are cute and humor. Yōkai Street is at Taishōgun in Kyōto. This is a development project of the town, using yōkai. Many dolls of yōkai is infront of stores. When the event are held, many people participate in it, of course many yōkai do!
History
In 2005, people in Taishōgun planed the project. The project derives from “Hyakkiyakō” in the Heian period. Hyakkiyakō is a parade of many yōkai, which is from old tools threw away. In the Heian period, people believed that if people threw tools using a long time, tools had souls, called “Tsukumogami”. It is said that this way of thinking say importance of using tools long time Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).. These yōkai often appeared along Ichjō street. Now, in Taishōgun along Ichijō street, there is a small hall of yōkai. In the hall, they explain Hyakkiyakō and yōkai in detailed.
Yōkai in front of stores and food
Yōkai Street is usually quiet, but many kind of yokai always welcome you! There are various stores and handmade yōkai in front of each stores. In front of bakery, there is “the old man of bread”, in front of kimono shop, there is a bakenekol dressed in a kimono. In the area, there are some eating houses, and local famous dishes. One of them is Yōkai Ramen. It’s a chinese noodle soup, but not normal. Its color is black and powdered in red. In front of this restaurant, there is one-eyed goblin. The other food is Yōkai croquette. Its color is black and the inside is green. These food’s appearence is strange, but very delicious [6].
Events
At Taishōgunhachi shrine in Yōkai Street, people hold Yōkai Free Market several times in a year. Every times, many people gather and negotiate lively. Off course people sell and buy yōkai‘s goods there. The other event is “Ichijō Hyakkiyakō”. It is a costume parade, so many people parade in costume of yōkai along Ichijō street at night [7].
Introduction
Yōkaichi city, which is in Shiga prefecture has been trying to be prospered by Yōkai. People in Yōkaichi forget the origin of Yōkaichi, so Honaikai is trying to inform them of the history of Yōkaichi through some events related to Yōkaiand develop Yōkaichi.
History of Yōkaichi
Yōkaichi city, which is now Higashiōmi city, was named in Asuka period by Prince Shōtoku. Yōkaichi derives from the market which was held on days including 8(8th, 18th, 28th) in Asuka period. Yōkaichi has been prospered as a market town, but in 2005, Yōkaichi was merged with four other towns to form Higashiōmi city. [8].
History of development in Yōkaichi
Honaikai taking a leading part, development by Yōkai in Yōkaichi city started in 1999.
In 2002, "Honaikai" made the map of mysterious Yōkai place for the first time. In 2007, Honaikai made a map "Prince Shōtoku series" which introduce twelve shrines and temples related to Prince Shōtoku. They have ever made seven maps related to raccoon dogs, foxes, and legend of long-nosed goblin. Especially, Honaikai focuses on Gao. Gao is a ghost which is said to eat children if they do mischief. Members of Honaikai disguise theirselves as Gao on February 3th, and visit children, which helps parents to raise children. [8]
Festival
Some festivals which is related to Yōkai or the history of Yōkaichi are held. "Yōkaichi ha Yōkaichi" is held mainly by "Honaikai" to inform people of the history and prosper. A parade with ghost and a haunted house is held.
Furthermore, "Yōkaichishōtokumaturi" takes places, and in this festival, a night market is held and people enjoy dancing.[9].
Related page
- Taishōgunhachi shrine: http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E5%B0%86%E8%BB%8D%E5%85%AB%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE
References
- ^ a b c Takashi, M. (2013, September). Yamazato ni tsutawaru youkaidensetsu wo kaku ni shita tikizukuri. (Community improvement which was based on legends handed down to mountain villages.) Suntory fundation. Retrieved: http://www.suntory.co.jp/sfnd/prize_cca/detail/2013c4.html [July 9, 2014].
- ^ Konakijiji wo shohyotoroku Obokemura, kashi nado 30 syurui shitei (Oboke village registered a trademark of “Konakijiji”. For example, confectionary, and so on, 30 kinds of pducts were desighnted). (2013, December 11). Tokushima newspaper digital. Retrieved: http://www.topics.or.jp/localNews/news/2013/12/2013_13867226107145.html [May 29, 2014].
- ^ Yoshiharu, T. (2013, December 23). Aratana “hikyo no yokai supotto” 「Konkijiji」 no sato. Tokushima… yokai no “okubukasa” kara tsutawattekuru 「kojin no tie」 (New “out-of-the way spot about yokai” Konakijiji’s country. Tokushima… “the ancients’ wisdom” is found out from the “depth” of yokai). Sankei news west. Retrieved: http://sankei.jp.msn.com/west/west-life/news/131223/wlf1322318010022-n1.htm [May 29, 2014].
- ^ Mizuki Shigeru kinenkan. (2012). Tou kinenkan ni tsuite (About this memorial house). Retrieved: http://mizuki.sakaiminato.net/?id=17 [July 3, 2014].
- ^ Yōkai jinja. (2014). Yōkai jinja toha? (What’s Yōkai jinja?). Retrieved: http://www.yo-kai.net/origin/index.html [July 3, 2014].
- ^ Shikama, A. (2010, August 7). Kyoto no storito ga atsui. “Yokai Storito”, taikenrepo(The street in Kyoto is lively. This is a experience report of “Yokai Street”). Nicheee!. Retrieved: http://www.nicheee.com/archives/1437863.html [june 25, 2014].
- ^ OFFICE-SANGA. (2012,October 23). Kyoto niwa yokai ga arawareru michi ga aru?(In Kyoto, there is a street where yokai appears, isn’t there?). Mynavi news. Retrieved: http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2012/10/23/134/ [May 24, 2014].
- ^ a b Nishī, R.(2014, March 8) sonogo Ichigamijinja(higashiōmi) akinai no kami tīki mamoru (Number 5 Ichigami shrine (Kitaomi) The God of business watchYōkaichi community).(2014, March 8).Yomiuri Newspaper. Retreived: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/local/shiga/feature/CO005896/20140307-OYT8T01318.html [July 26, 2014].
- ^ Yōkaichi kara Higashiōmi he! kaiichikinensai, "Yōkaichi ha yōkaichi" (From Yokaichi to Higashiōmi, memorial festival). Shigahōchi Newspaper. (2012, July 20).Retrieved: http://www.shigahochi.co.jp/info.php?type=article&id=A0010731 [July 26, 2014].