6 Types of Japanese Ghosts That Hang Out in Toilets

therobotsvoice.com ^ | April 4, 2012 · 8:02 am · | Anne Mathews

[BenLurkin]

Japan is a culture that loves stories of creepy monsters, scary ghouls and vengeful ghosts.... There are so many different kinds of creatures inhabiting the misty realms of Japanese folklore that sometimes it seems that every square meter of the country must be teeming with mythical creatures. Even buildings and cities have their own ghost stories, and that even includes restrooms!

Yes, Japan’s bathrooms are haunted by an eclectic mix of spirits, ghouls and monsters. Some are shy, some are violent, and at least one wants to lick up your tub grime. So, ranging from least to most dangerous, here are six of them that you may just end up meeting the next time nature calls.

Possibly the most famous of the Japanese toilet ghosts, Hanako is actually a relatively benign spirit. Basically, she’s a scary thing Japanese kids dare each other to summon, by either knocking on the stall door or saying “Are you there, Hanako-san?” to which she will reply that she is. Occasionally she will be seen as well. While descriptions vary, generally she is described as having an old-fashioned bob haircut and wearing a red skirt. There are various origins for Hanako: some say she is the ghost of a child killed during a bomb raid in WWII, other legends variously claim she was killed by a deranged parent or stranger.

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Akaname (literally, “filth-licker”) is a Japanese monster that literally lives off the dirt, filth and grime that accumulates in dirty bathrooms. This monster is said to appear human in shape, but Its skin is gnarled and red, like it stayed in a hot bath too long. It also has a long, pointed tongue, (presumably the better to lap at filth with). Avoiding this yokai is very simple; just clean the bathroom!

[shibumi]

[Billthedrill]

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