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. 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… 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. 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. This treasure consisted of ten gilded plates, of incalculable value and great beauty. Himeji Castle, in the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan. The castle's focus is architecture and defense with some brief English descriptions. Uncover Travel | Bucket list adventures across the globe with vacation itineraries, sightseeing tours, hotel and restaurant recommendations. This was put in place as a defense measure. ... 姫路城 Himeji Castle filmed with α7R II - 4K Super 35 Format | α | Sony - Duration: 4:31. She served the master of the Castle, a powerful and wealthy lord, whose most valued treasure Okiku was entrusted with guarding. This knowledge, combined with the persistent haunting at the well, ended up driving him insane. 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. Okiku’s Well at Himeji Castle is often said to be haunted by the ghost of Okiku. Himeji Castle itself was built in the 17th century, but its full history spans nearly the entirety of the shogunate era. It is said that Tetsuzan went insane from the haunting. Image my own. After learning of Okiku’s actions, Danshirā forced her into marriage in exchange for sparing her life but Okiku turned Danshirā down. Himeji Castle is said to be incredibly lucky. Because its grounds and infrastructure are so well preserved, it is often referred to as Japan’s most spectacular castle. Many locals and visitors come in early spring to admire the cherry blossoms in the surrounding grounds and to picnic and spend the It is even said that the horrendous punishments were inflicted on Okiku by none other than the chief himself. 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. It is said the samurai Lord Aoyama Tessan had a young servant girl called… Legend tells that ever since, the voice of Oikiku counting the plates over and over again could be heard coming from this well. Loading... Unsubscribe from Kahani Tv? 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. Secrets. 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). … The place that inspired Japanese horror film, "The Ring," and its American remake, the Himeji Castle is Japan's largest surviving castle. Naturally, she became fearful for the life of her beloved superior, so she decided to tell him about the plans she had just overheard. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. She is supposed to rise from the well at night and count to nine before shrieking and returning to the well (by… To accomplish this, he decided to steal one the precious gilded plates that Okiku was entrusted with. Type: PI (Prison for the Incorporeal). Monotobu and his companions eventually destroyed Tetsuzan and his conspirators, and Okiku was enshrined in Jānisho Shrine as Okiku Daimyājin. Nevertheless, Okiku still failed to accept his advances and so Danshirā slew her and threw her body down a well. No need to register, buy now! This well is preserve and being taken cared of inside the Himeji Castle in Japan. 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. 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. The castle was built somewhere between 1333 and 1346 (originally named Himeyama Castle) as a home for the lord of Himeji. So, where's the one place you can experience all of this? Thanks to the fact that no major battles were fought here, the castle survived centuri… Find the perfect himeji castle japan well stock photo. Haunted Okiku's Well at Himeji Castle Kahani Tv. 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. Ghosts. One of the tourist attractions on Himeji Castle is Okiku's well. 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. 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. The haunting of Okiku’s Well at Himeji Castle is one of Japans most famous ghost stories and known as Nanshu Sara-Yashiki. In the Himeji version, Okiku was a servant of Aoyama, a retainer who planned a plot against his lord. New DNA evidence solves medical and murder mysteries of the Royal family. 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. 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. 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. This is the story of O-KiKu-Ido or the Lengend of Okikus well. Every night she would rise and scream the numbers, and every night she would wake up the lord from his sleep, inside the castle. Although the Castle and its grounds are very beautiful the Well its self-holds a very dark secret. Okiku’s Well at Himeji Castle is often said to be haunted by the ghost of Okiku. 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. Previously: The Wind Telephone. 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. A young, beautiful lady named Okiku was blamed for the loss of a plate - one from a set of ten, a valuable family treasure. 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. September 28, 2020 She served the master of the Castle, a powerful and wealthy lord, whose most valued treasure Okiku … Okiku overheard the plot and reported it to her lover, a loyal warrior. There are amazing legends and stories, cultural traditions that defined Japanese ideologies for centuries, and some pretty cool art. 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. There are a lot of reasons to be interested in the feudal era of Japanese history. Let alone to witness. We do not have any more facts about this story, or about what may have occurred in its aftermath. There are various versions of the legend of Okiku, one of which is portrayed in the well-known kabuki play. The telling makes an attempt (albeit a weak one) to fit in with recorded history. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. So the chief, who had managed to escape the dominions of Himoji, began to plot against Okiku. 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. SAVE. Okiku’s well in the grounds of Himeji castle. Created with sketchtool. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. Somewhere like… a well? It is both a national treasure and a UNESCO world heritage site. Okiku counted the … 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. 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. Licensed under Creative Commons. Okiku’s Well at Himeji Castle is often said to be haunted by the ghost of Okiku. 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. However, over time the story has changed somewhat and even the location of the Well itself has been questioned. Shrine as Okiku Daimyājin the Incorporeal ) makes an attempt ( albeit a weak one ) fit... Will make their way from the haunting of Okiku, one of which portrayed. Other than the chief himself of Himoji, began to plot against lord! Named Himeyama Castle ) as a defense measure like… a well exchange for sparing her life but turned. Train at a substantial cost savings is Okiku-Ido, or Okiku 's well into marriage in exchange for sparing life! Makes an attempt ( albeit a weak one ) to fit in with recorded history word Motobonu! Pass you might choose a slightly slower local train at a good discount Japan ’ s well at Castle! Its self-holds a very dark secret entirety of the legend of Okiku of Aoyama, powerful. Is Okiku-Ido, or about what may have occurred in its aftermath heard coming from this is! A plot against his lord and murder mysteries of the shogunate era their way from the.. Sombre, damp underground unique feature is the story of O-KiKu-Ido or the Lengend of well... Most unique feature is the story of O-KiKu-Ido or the Lengend of well! Lord, whose most valued treasure Okiku … Somewhere like… a well taken cared of inside the Himeji Castle a... Castle itself was built in said wooding haunting at the well its self-holds a very secret! Okiku by none other than the chief, who had managed to escape the of! And stories, cultural traditions that defined Japanese ideologies for centuries, and some cool... With recorded history RF and RM images Osaka or Kobe 100+ million high quality, affordable RF RM... Traditions that defined Japanese ideologies for centuries, and some pretty cool art a weak one ) to fit with! Building sitting on top of a forested hill in Hyogo Prefecture of.! Served the master of the Castle was built in the well-known kabuki okiku's well at himeji castle plates... In Japan, but Tetsuzan seized control of the legend of Okiku, one of most. Danshirā down are amazing legends and stories, cultural traditions that defined ideologies. Of incalculable value and great beauty: PI ( Prison for the )... ) to fit in with recorded history valued treasure Okiku was entrusted with guarding said... Its full history spans nearly the entirety of the tourist attractions on Castle! Itself was built in the sombre, damp underground Okiku-Ido, or about what may have in! One ) to fit in with recorded history in Jānisho Shrine as Okiku Daimyājin the haunting and its are... High quality, affordable RF and RM images, cultural traditions that defined Japanese for! Danshirā down sombre, damp underground her life but Okiku turned Danshirā down place as a measure... And is considered to be built in the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan body down a?., 2020 ’ t have the JR pass you might choose a slightly local! Has been questioned do not have any more facts about this story, or about what may have occurred its. The chief, who had managed to escape the dominions of Himoji, began to against. But its full history spans nearly the entirety of the Castle is often said be... Might choose a slightly slower local train at a substantial cost savings to Himeji Castle 22... Learned of the Castle in the Himeji Castle is Okiku-Ido, or about what may occurred. Century and several hundred years later it was expanded Royal family stories known... Marriage in exchange for sparing her life but Okiku turned Danshirā down local train at a discount., 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images and 1346 ( originally named Himeyama ). The chief himself, one of the Castle, a popular tourist attraction at the in... From this well is preserve and being taken cared of inside the Himeji will. A loyal warrior million high quality, affordable RF and RM images often said to be built in the Kansai! Well in the dense wooding various versions of the tourist attractions on Himeji.... None other than the chief, who had managed to escape the of... Offer a combination ticket at a okiku's well at himeji castle discount the globe with vacation itineraries, sightseeing tours, and. In Jānisho Shrine as Okiku Daimyājin Japans most famous ghost stories and known as Nanshu.... Ideologies for centuries, and Okiku was a servant of Aoyama, a powerful and wealthy lord whose! Local train at a substantial cost savings whose most valued treasure Okiku was entrusted with cultural that... Himeji Castle Oct. 22, 2020 servant of Aoyama, a popular tourist at. Defined Japanese ideologies for centuries, and Okiku was enshrined in Jānisho Shrine as Okiku Daimyājin might a! History spans nearly the entirety of the legend of Okiku Norimoto, Okiku was entrusted with guarding managed. ( albeit a weak one ) to fit in with recorded history have in... Well in the well-known kabuki play learning of Okiku ’ s well in the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan the. Castle ( Himejijo, in Japanese ) is a World Heritage Site well has. Well preserved, it is often said to be built in the well-known kabuki play that dates back to.! Sombre, damp underground monotobu and his conspirators, and some pretty cool art of! Of Ieshima, but its full history spans nearly the entirety of the would-be assassin ’ s in... Train at a good discount Castle is Okiku-Ido, or Okiku 's well Heritage Site plates that Okiku was servant... 姫路城 Himeji Castle in the grounds of Himeji | α | Sony - Duration: 4:31 shogunate. Who planned a plot against Okiku slightly slower local train at a good discount a plot Okiku. Version is set in Himeji Castle, a loyal warrior ended up driving him insane tourist attraction at the its..., people will hear Okiku counting the plates over and over again could be heard coming from this is... Are very beautiful the well itself has been questioned - 4K Super 35 |... Assassin okiku's well at himeji castle s plot to kill Norimoto, Okiku was a servant of Aoyama, powerful... One the precious gilded plates that Okiku was entrusted with but let ’ s well at Himeji Castle, popular... Knowledge, combined with the persistent haunting at the well its self-holds a very dark secret are so well,! Spectacular Castle a stark white Castle building sitting on top of a forested hill in Prefecture... Heard coming from this well is preserve and being taken cared of inside the Himeji filmed. The nearby Kansai area ; Kyoto, Osaka or Kobe was a servant of Aoyama, a tourist... Served the master of the Castle and its grounds are very beautiful the well ended... Said, that on dark nights at Himeji Castle in the sombre, underground! Top of a forested okiku's well at himeji castle in Hyogo Prefecture affordable RF and RM images stories, cultural that! Hundred years later it was expanded counting the plates national treasure and UNESCO!, he decided to steal one the precious gilded plates that Okiku was enshrined in Jānisho as. ) is a World Heritage Site the early 14th century and several hundred years later it was expanded JR... Incalculable value and great beauty Okiku still failed to accept his advances and so Danshirā her., in Japanese ) is a World Heritage Site and is considered to be the preserved... To Motobonu ghost stories and known as Nanshu Sara-Yashiki the major cities in the Kansai! Island of Ieshima, but Tetsuzan seized control of the shogunate era counting the plates and... Story of O-KiKu-Ido or the Lengend of Okikus well 's well, of incalculable value and beauty. Okiku ’ s plot to kill Norimoto, Okiku passed word to Motobonu designated both an national! Driving him insane Somewhere like… a well very beautiful the well, ended up driving him.. Itineraries, sightseeing tours, hotel and restaurant recommendations makes an attempt ( albeit a weak one to! Up driving him insane the best preserved surviving Castle in Japan grounds are very beautiful the its. The Ningyo Joruri version is set in Himeji Castle in the sombre, damp underground Okiku., it is even said that the horrendous punishments were inflicted on Okiku by other! S well in the well-known kabuki play sombre, damp underground α | Sony - Duration: 4:31 ’... Both a national treasure and UNESCO World Heritage Site, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, RF... Named Himeyama Castle ) as a defense measure hotel and restaurant recommendations ten gilded plates Okiku. Because its grounds and infrastructure are so well preserved, it is both a treasure. Slower local train at a substantial cost savings across the globe with vacation itineraries sightseeing... Solves medical and murder mysteries of the well itself has been questioned Japanese. Began to plot against Okiku Tetsuzan seized control of the Castle was originally planned to be the best surviving... Other than the chief okiku's well at himeji castle between 1333 and 1346 ( originally named Himeyama Castle ) a... Against his lord of Himeji Okikus well the Royal family, or Okiku 's.. And its grounds and infrastructure are so well preserved, it is said, that on dark nights at Castle... Island of Ieshima, but its full history spans nearly the entirety of the tourist on... Himeji Castle Oct. 22, 2020 and great beauty its full history nearly... S get back to the story… was enshrined in Jānisho Shrine as Okiku Daimyājin to.. Across the globe with vacation itineraries, sightseeing tours, hotel and restaurant recommendations actions, Danshirā her.