[story] the boy
author: REI (rei_kurasaki)
artist: kimberly
Hello, boy!
I see we meet again tonight.
Don't you find it strange how we always meet in your dreams?
Coincidence? Maybe!
But no, let me tell you a secret - I'm a god.
Haha! Shocked you there, didn't I? You don't seem to believe me though. What, don't believe gods can look like little boys? Here, how about an old man? Ahahahaha! You should've seen your face, boy! It was all white! Here, I'll do you a favour, and look like this. What's that? The mask just adds an air of mystery, don't you think? Or would you prefer if I looked your mother? Would that make you feel better? Come to my bosom, boy!
Hahaha! I kid! I kid!
Don't cry boy, tears are never fetching on a pretty face such as yours. You know how we foxes are, always ready for a joke, no harm done, yeah.
Come closer boy, that's it, no need to be afraid of me - come closer, and I'll tell you things other humans would give their hearts to hear.
The humans call me the god of fertility and agriculture.
Well, the humans are right about the god part.
Not so much about the "god of-" part. You see, we gods just exist, we do not control. The humans say we bring fortune and luck, and the occasional disaster. That's only partly true. Well, the disaster part anyway. It's a little hard to bring fortune and luck when the words "fortune" and "luck" don't apply to gods, you know? What's the difference between "good" and "evil" to a god? That is a human term. It is humans who feel the need to label the world, when the world itself cannot be labeled. Hahaha! Humans, such funny creatures, don't you think?
But don't worry your pretty head about that, because you see, humans never learn.
In the mornings, I sit in the trees and watch humans rush by.
It's a fascinating, if somewhat mundane, observation.
Each human smells different; old Mrs Kinokawa smells like sandalwood - she prays for protection for her house everyday. I like Kinoko-chan - that's what we call her, by the way; she brings nice offerings once in a while, and always the best sake. We foxes know the best sort of sake are the ones the Moon brings to us when she leaves the sky, but human sake is not bad. A little too crude, but that's to be expected. Today, Mrs Kinokawa is again praying for protection for her household. I don't know why she even bothers. I've been to her house, and it's a lovely place. Nice bright rooms and fresh green grass. I bet she doesn't know why her grass blooms in winter, even when her neighbour's wither! That's cause the zashiki warashi living there loves her, and loves her family, but shhh, let's keep this secret between us, boy!
The wisteria in the garden tells me that her children are filial and her grandchildren are pleasant. Not like other human children.
Like Mrs Shimoda's.
Ahh, there she is, sleeping with her little demon-child. She doesn't realise it, of course, but her "little darling Ryo" is a demon. The child doesn't know it either, but I can smell his heart - it's black and foul. That child is the reason why her plants never flower and why her apartment is always dark. He is the harbinger of illness. But meh, it's not my problem, and it's not our place to point out these things.
I wonder why humans never notice the obvious.
It's a pity, you know, because they used to.
There used to be a time where we would walk among humans, and humans would know. Benten used to say it's because our faces were too angular, or our eyes too opaque, or our speech too heavy with meaning. The humans then would notice, and give us offerings, and begged for our protection.
Humans liked to beg then, and even now they still do, actually.
Now though, we walk among them unnoticed. They don't notice how the gods' eyes are colourless, or how the god's feet never actually touch the ground. The humans don't notice these things now. They don't notice when the world rumbles, or when Susanoo throws his temper around. They don't notice when Ama-chan cries for them anymore either, I bet. They've started to neglect us. The younger ones never give us offerings; only come to us when they have problems and pray for luck to overcome their little petty obstacles.
Not that I mind, mind you, but things fade with memories, and we're not exempted either.
How do gods live with humans?
Well, I'll be honest, it's a give-or-take situation. Sometimes, we live in their homes, sometimes we live in the temples. Sometimes, we go to mountains to get away from the dusty city air. Your air's really smelly, y'know. It's never bothered me before, but I know some gods who hate city air. Like the ame-warashi. That's why it always rains when she visits the city. She can't stand the stink of humans, says it makes her sick! But don't worry, boy, I happen to think you smell perfect. Had strawberries before you slept, didn't you? I bet they tasted divine.
Other than that…well, sometimes we have god parties. Kinda like those coming-of-age celebrations the humans have, but with better company. Occasionally, a god will invite everyone to his home, and we sit and drink and talk for a bit. Well, of course the place must be big enough to hold 8 million gods - the last party was held at the West Dragon Emperor's palace. A real cool place, by the way, coral pillars, silk drapes and the whole she-bang. He should host more god parties. But of course, god parties usually mean drunken gods - not me of course, I can hold my sake really well - and drunken gods are never good for humans; the last party caused an earthquake.
Which one?
Oh, I think the humans call it the ehh... "Great Kanto Earthquake" or something?
What?
No! It was totally not my fault!
Okay, so I may have drunk a little too much with Kashima, but it was that stupid tanuki that gave Namazu "an extra drop" in his sake! Ama-chan was pretty pissed off at us for that session - you know how she is, she hates seeing humans in pain, dying, etc. Says she feels their pain! Between you and me, really, she doesn't. She just thinks humans are her protege. Haha! How funny! Humans as a god's protege! But anyway, luckily she got over it soon enough - they say that Susanoo... persuaded her, if you get my drift. They may have their arguments, but they've always been close, even by our standards. Not that we'll say anything about that to them, of course, Ama-chan's always so sensitive. The last thing we need is her going off in a cave again. The last time she did that, we had to work overtime to get her out. So troublesome. Although... word has it that it wasn't because Susanoo killed one of her maids, but was rather, caught in a rather in flagrante delicto with one of Tsukiyomi's men; one of the little stars surrounding Tsukiyomi anyway, I don't know all the details. Tsukiyomi's a strange one too, he's always been secretive, but now even more so. I heard he got himself a new toy; a nice human who followed him when others before refused.
But anyway, Ama-chan threw a fit, and oh why air your dirty laundry in public, eh? But at least we got to see Ame-san's thighs. Wow, those were some amazing thighs, smooth and sleek and tender. Much like how yours would feel too, I reckon.
Anyway, the next god party should be held soon, I don't think you'll be able to come though. "Gods Only", and stuff like that.
Ehhh, you want to know about love now?
Oy, oy, for someone who still hasn't kissed his first love, you're pretty curious, y'know.
Here, let me give you one--
...What do you mean that didn't count? Of course it did! Hey, don't you know how rare god's kisses are? You might have to pay for this next one.
Don't worry, boy, I'll be sure to give you a discount.
What was I saying? Oh yeah, love between gods? So a long, long time ago, Izanagi and Izanami were created--
What? You want to know about love between gods and humans?
That's a tough one, boy, gods don't usually fall in love with humans, especially humans who won't let a god's kiss count as their first - ahahaha! But that kind of love is rare, so very rare. Possibly even rarer than a dragon god's tears. I think it's because humans have an unfortunate tendency to die often. Gods, on the other hand, live forever. Living with loneliness is a sad thing, you know, especially so for a god, once a human dies. It's a crushing weight, even. That's not to say I haven't heard of it though.
Humans always have stories of foxes who fall in love with humans - they're not too far from the truth sometimes. Have you heard of the fox who married a human, only to have the human leave her like the coward he was, and drown their baby?
No?
Well, the fox cursed the man, of course, and she swore that while she lived, the man would never die. Foxes live a very long time, much longer than humans, and one day, the man comes and sees her. He says, "I have come, despite knowing that you will kill me. I only beg forgiveness for my stupidity." He cries and begs her to forgive him, and eventually the man admits that he never drowned their baby. He kept their baby, in the hopes that by doing so it would keep her by his side.
Ahahaha, foolish, don't you think? Only humans would think this way.
The fox-wife says, "I cannot forgive you," - and grabs his hands, just like this - "I will curse you forever." But as she says this, she cries, and the man starts to disappear. I bet she looks like how you look now - and as he disappears, she cries and say, "if I forgive you, you will die, and I want you by my side." It was her curse that kept him alive, even when he should have died. Even though they thought they were being selfish, it was a good thing - and only when they became selfless, did tragedy strike.
How ironic, right? To be able to love, but not have! I don't think you understand the gravity of that yet, you're still a young human.
Too young perhaps.
But it's a sad story, isn't it? But that's the way it will end, between a human and a fox. Did I know that fox? Well, yes, I do. She's a lovely white fox, but with large sad eyes. Her daughter's lovely looking as well, but of course, not as lovely as you. She's being courted by a handsome wolf-god now - her mother is horrified, of course, you know how foxes are afraid of wolves - but he has a kind heart, and I am sure he will win her over. I'm expecting a wedding invitation to arrive anytime soon.
So don't fall in love with me, boy, nothing good can come out of a relationship borne of the earth and the sky.
Ahahaha! Wait, I was kidding!
Heaven? Boy, my darling boy, haven't you realised by now?
There is no heaven - it's a term, invented by humans to make them feel better about themselves. "Heaven" is just another human longing for happiness. One that, they hope, transcends their lives, and transcends the fact that their bodies will break, and they will return to the earth from where they came.
We gods exist, just like you humans exist.
Imagine a world with no barriers, with no limits - we can go anywhere, do anything. If we are the ocean, then you are the life that exists within us. You are the fish, and you are the soul, of the ocean. The ocean is merely a container for you. You are the ones who keep us alive, be it in your memory, or the brief prayers you offer at the temples. Perhaps "heaven" would be the slight murmur of protection when you pray, or in the smell of incense curling into the sky.
You don't understand? Ahahaha! You're still young, boy, one day you will.
Oh look, the sky is lightening.
No, you can't see it, but I can. Ama-chan is starting to wake up.
No boy, you will have to wake up soon too.
Look, over there.
That is the ghost of Oiwa.
Shhh, don't look at her, cover your eyes, and cover your mouth. That way, she will spare you the way she never spared anyone else whom she's met before.
She was killed by her husband, y'know. Took a human poison, which disfigured her face. A pity, really, she used to be so beautiful, but ahh you see, that heart of hers wasn't. Did you know, a human's face can be a mask? It's a window to what humans want others to see. Oiwa doesn't know that her disfigurement wasn't a product of the poison - it was a product of her deepest desire: vengeance.
The story says otherwise? Of course! It's a story. The words of another human, but we gods know the reasons. It is her vengeance that ties her to this world - she is doomed to wander, and curse all that she meets. That is the path she chose, when she embraced her anger and her resentment. It was anger that twisted her face, and resentment that nailed her soul to this earth. Earth is hell to her kind - because it reminds them of how they fell, and it reminds them that they cannot move on.
This is why humans, and gods, should never embrace their emotions. Feelings are a strong thing, boy, they tie you to a place, a thing, someone.
They give you a cause; a reason, an emotion, so strong you would die to experience it again.
A woman's strong attachment to a mirror can cause it to stay cold and solid in a raging fire.
A man's hatred can turn him into a monster after his death.
A woman's anger can turn her into a living demon.
A god's love can take away a human life.
This is where we part ways, boy, like we always have.
It'll be time for you to wake up soon.
Close your eyes, boy, and I'll tell you one last story:
Past the blue sky, past the stars and the moon, there is a big gate. The words written on it are so old, even we can't remember when it was created. We all know the words of course - it's like a memory that never fades, the echo of the words flow through our veins, so we can't help but remember.
Maybe one day, I may not let you wake up.
Maybe one day, I will show you those words.
the end
(Appendix: gods)
Zashiki-warashi: A child-spirit that's said to inhabit old homes bringing it's residents great fortune. If it leaves, however, the family will face into ruin.
Ame-warashi: A rain spirit.
Benten: The patron of geisha, the arts and wisdom.
Namazu: A gaint catfish thought to live beneath the surface of the earth. Kamina is the god that controls it; it's said that when Kamina loses control of him, Namazu's thrashing causes earthquakes.
Kamina: The god that controls Namazu.
Tanuki: A raccoon-dog spirit that's fond of sake and playing tricks.
Ama-chan: Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess. Legend has it that her brother, Susanoo, upset her so much that she hid in a cave - hiding the sun from the world.
Ame-chan: Ame-no-Uzume, the goddess of dawn and revellry. Her dance lured Amaterasu out from her cave.
Susanoo: Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the god of seas and storms. Also, Amaterasu's brother.
Tsukiyomi: The god of the moon.
Oiwa: Tamiya Oiwa was the wife of a masterless samurai who had killed her father, and later, resented her for being the cause of all his troubles. He gave her poison, which disfigured her greatly, and according to one retelling of the story, she ran herself against a sword and killed herself. Her vengeance against her fate turned her into a ghost and she haunted her husband down, forcing him to kill everyone he settled with. According to Japanese belief, if a human, or a thing, forms strong emotional attachment to a certain object or place, or even person, they can come back as spirits.
artist: kimberly
Hello, boy!
I see we meet again tonight.
Don't you find it strange how we always meet in your dreams?
Coincidence? Maybe!
But no, let me tell you a secret - I'm a god.
Haha! Shocked you there, didn't I? You don't seem to believe me though. What, don't believe gods can look like little boys? Here, how about an old man? Ahahahaha! You should've seen your face, boy! It was all white! Here, I'll do you a favour, and look like this. What's that? The mask just adds an air of mystery, don't you think? Or would you prefer if I looked your mother? Would that make you feel better? Come to my bosom, boy!
Hahaha! I kid! I kid!
Don't cry boy, tears are never fetching on a pretty face such as yours. You know how we foxes are, always ready for a joke, no harm done, yeah.
Come closer boy, that's it, no need to be afraid of me - come closer, and I'll tell you things other humans would give their hearts to hear.
The humans call me the god of fertility and agriculture.
Well, the humans are right about the god part.
Not so much about the "god of-" part. You see, we gods just exist, we do not control. The humans say we bring fortune and luck, and the occasional disaster. That's only partly true. Well, the disaster part anyway. It's a little hard to bring fortune and luck when the words "fortune" and "luck" don't apply to gods, you know? What's the difference between "good" and "evil" to a god? That is a human term. It is humans who feel the need to label the world, when the world itself cannot be labeled. Hahaha! Humans, such funny creatures, don't you think?
But don't worry your pretty head about that, because you see, humans never learn.
In the mornings, I sit in the trees and watch humans rush by.
It's a fascinating, if somewhat mundane, observation.
Each human smells different; old Mrs Kinokawa smells like sandalwood - she prays for protection for her house everyday. I like Kinoko-chan - that's what we call her, by the way; she brings nice offerings once in a while, and always the best sake. We foxes know the best sort of sake are the ones the Moon brings to us when she leaves the sky, but human sake is not bad. A little too crude, but that's to be expected. Today, Mrs Kinokawa is again praying for protection for her household. I don't know why she even bothers. I've been to her house, and it's a lovely place. Nice bright rooms and fresh green grass. I bet she doesn't know why her grass blooms in winter, even when her neighbour's wither! That's cause the zashiki warashi living there loves her, and loves her family, but shhh, let's keep this secret between us, boy!
The wisteria in the garden tells me that her children are filial and her grandchildren are pleasant. Not like other human children.
Like Mrs Shimoda's.
Ahh, there she is, sleeping with her little demon-child. She doesn't realise it, of course, but her "little darling Ryo" is a demon. The child doesn't know it either, but I can smell his heart - it's black and foul. That child is the reason why her plants never flower and why her apartment is always dark. He is the harbinger of illness. But meh, it's not my problem, and it's not our place to point out these things.
I wonder why humans never notice the obvious.
It's a pity, you know, because they used to.
There used to be a time where we would walk among humans, and humans would know. Benten used to say it's because our faces were too angular, or our eyes too opaque, or our speech too heavy with meaning. The humans then would notice, and give us offerings, and begged for our protection.
Humans liked to beg then, and even now they still do, actually.
Now though, we walk among them unnoticed. They don't notice how the gods' eyes are colourless, or how the god's feet never actually touch the ground. The humans don't notice these things now. They don't notice when the world rumbles, or when Susanoo throws his temper around. They don't notice when Ama-chan cries for them anymore either, I bet. They've started to neglect us. The younger ones never give us offerings; only come to us when they have problems and pray for luck to overcome their little petty obstacles.
Not that I mind, mind you, but things fade with memories, and we're not exempted either.
How do gods live with humans?
Well, I'll be honest, it's a give-or-take situation. Sometimes, we live in their homes, sometimes we live in the temples. Sometimes, we go to mountains to get away from the dusty city air. Your air's really smelly, y'know. It's never bothered me before, but I know some gods who hate city air. Like the ame-warashi. That's why it always rains when she visits the city. She can't stand the stink of humans, says it makes her sick! But don't worry, boy, I happen to think you smell perfect. Had strawberries before you slept, didn't you? I bet they tasted divine.
Other than that…well, sometimes we have god parties. Kinda like those coming-of-age celebrations the humans have, but with better company. Occasionally, a god will invite everyone to his home, and we sit and drink and talk for a bit. Well, of course the place must be big enough to hold 8 million gods - the last party was held at the West Dragon Emperor's palace. A real cool place, by the way, coral pillars, silk drapes and the whole she-bang. He should host more god parties. But of course, god parties usually mean drunken gods - not me of course, I can hold my sake really well - and drunken gods are never good for humans; the last party caused an earthquake.
Which one?
Oh, I think the humans call it the ehh... "Great Kanto Earthquake" or something?
What?
No! It was totally not my fault!
Okay, so I may have drunk a little too much with Kashima, but it was that stupid tanuki that gave Namazu "an extra drop" in his sake! Ama-chan was pretty pissed off at us for that session - you know how she is, she hates seeing humans in pain, dying, etc. Says she feels their pain! Between you and me, really, she doesn't. She just thinks humans are her protege. Haha! How funny! Humans as a god's protege! But anyway, luckily she got over it soon enough - they say that Susanoo... persuaded her, if you get my drift. They may have their arguments, but they've always been close, even by our standards. Not that we'll say anything about that to them, of course, Ama-chan's always so sensitive. The last thing we need is her going off in a cave again. The last time she did that, we had to work overtime to get her out. So troublesome. Although... word has it that it wasn't because Susanoo killed one of her maids, but was rather, caught in a rather in flagrante delicto with one of Tsukiyomi's men; one of the little stars surrounding Tsukiyomi anyway, I don't know all the details. Tsukiyomi's a strange one too, he's always been secretive, but now even more so. I heard he got himself a new toy; a nice human who followed him when others before refused.
But anyway, Ama-chan threw a fit, and oh why air your dirty laundry in public, eh? But at least we got to see Ame-san's thighs. Wow, those were some amazing thighs, smooth and sleek and tender. Much like how yours would feel too, I reckon.
Anyway, the next god party should be held soon, I don't think you'll be able to come though. "Gods Only", and stuff like that.
Ehhh, you want to know about love now?
Oy, oy, for someone who still hasn't kissed his first love, you're pretty curious, y'know.
Here, let me give you one--
...What do you mean that didn't count? Of course it did! Hey, don't you know how rare god's kisses are? You might have to pay for this next one.
Don't worry, boy, I'll be sure to give you a discount.
What was I saying? Oh yeah, love between gods? So a long, long time ago, Izanagi and Izanami were created--
What? You want to know about love between gods and humans?
That's a tough one, boy, gods don't usually fall in love with humans, especially humans who won't let a god's kiss count as their first - ahahaha! But that kind of love is rare, so very rare. Possibly even rarer than a dragon god's tears. I think it's because humans have an unfortunate tendency to die often. Gods, on the other hand, live forever. Living with loneliness is a sad thing, you know, especially so for a god, once a human dies. It's a crushing weight, even. That's not to say I haven't heard of it though.
Humans always have stories of foxes who fall in love with humans - they're not too far from the truth sometimes. Have you heard of the fox who married a human, only to have the human leave her like the coward he was, and drown their baby?
No?
Well, the fox cursed the man, of course, and she swore that while she lived, the man would never die. Foxes live a very long time, much longer than humans, and one day, the man comes and sees her. He says, "I have come, despite knowing that you will kill me. I only beg forgiveness for my stupidity." He cries and begs her to forgive him, and eventually the man admits that he never drowned their baby. He kept their baby, in the hopes that by doing so it would keep her by his side.
Ahahaha, foolish, don't you think? Only humans would think this way.
The fox-wife says, "I cannot forgive you," - and grabs his hands, just like this - "I will curse you forever." But as she says this, she cries, and the man starts to disappear. I bet she looks like how you look now - and as he disappears, she cries and say, "if I forgive you, you will die, and I want you by my side." It was her curse that kept him alive, even when he should have died. Even though they thought they were being selfish, it was a good thing - and only when they became selfless, did tragedy strike.
How ironic, right? To be able to love, but not have! I don't think you understand the gravity of that yet, you're still a young human.
Too young perhaps.
But it's a sad story, isn't it? But that's the way it will end, between a human and a fox. Did I know that fox? Well, yes, I do. She's a lovely white fox, but with large sad eyes. Her daughter's lovely looking as well, but of course, not as lovely as you. She's being courted by a handsome wolf-god now - her mother is horrified, of course, you know how foxes are afraid of wolves - but he has a kind heart, and I am sure he will win her over. I'm expecting a wedding invitation to arrive anytime soon.
So don't fall in love with me, boy, nothing good can come out of a relationship borne of the earth and the sky.
Ahahaha! Wait, I was kidding!
Heaven? Boy, my darling boy, haven't you realised by now?
There is no heaven - it's a term, invented by humans to make them feel better about themselves. "Heaven" is just another human longing for happiness. One that, they hope, transcends their lives, and transcends the fact that their bodies will break, and they will return to the earth from where they came.
We gods exist, just like you humans exist.
Imagine a world with no barriers, with no limits - we can go anywhere, do anything. If we are the ocean, then you are the life that exists within us. You are the fish, and you are the soul, of the ocean. The ocean is merely a container for you. You are the ones who keep us alive, be it in your memory, or the brief prayers you offer at the temples. Perhaps "heaven" would be the slight murmur of protection when you pray, or in the smell of incense curling into the sky.
You don't understand? Ahahaha! You're still young, boy, one day you will.
Oh look, the sky is lightening.
No, you can't see it, but I can. Ama-chan is starting to wake up.
No boy, you will have to wake up soon too.
Look, over there.
That is the ghost of Oiwa.
Shhh, don't look at her, cover your eyes, and cover your mouth. That way, she will spare you the way she never spared anyone else whom she's met before.
She was killed by her husband, y'know. Took a human poison, which disfigured her face. A pity, really, she used to be so beautiful, but ahh you see, that heart of hers wasn't. Did you know, a human's face can be a mask? It's a window to what humans want others to see. Oiwa doesn't know that her disfigurement wasn't a product of the poison - it was a product of her deepest desire: vengeance.
The story says otherwise? Of course! It's a story. The words of another human, but we gods know the reasons. It is her vengeance that ties her to this world - she is doomed to wander, and curse all that she meets. That is the path she chose, when she embraced her anger and her resentment. It was anger that twisted her face, and resentment that nailed her soul to this earth. Earth is hell to her kind - because it reminds them of how they fell, and it reminds them that they cannot move on.
This is why humans, and gods, should never embrace their emotions. Feelings are a strong thing, boy, they tie you to a place, a thing, someone.
They give you a cause; a reason, an emotion, so strong you would die to experience it again.
A woman's strong attachment to a mirror can cause it to stay cold and solid in a raging fire.
A man's hatred can turn him into a monster after his death.
A woman's anger can turn her into a living demon.
A god's love can take away a human life.
This is where we part ways, boy, like we always have.
It'll be time for you to wake up soon.
Close your eyes, boy, and I'll tell you one last story:
Past the blue sky, past the stars and the moon, there is a big gate. The words written on it are so old, even we can't remember when it was created. We all know the words of course - it's like a memory that never fades, the echo of the words flow through our veins, so we can't help but remember.
Maybe one day, I may not let you wake up.
Maybe one day, I will show you those words.
the end
(Appendix: gods)
Zashiki-warashi: A child-spirit that's said to inhabit old homes bringing it's residents great fortune. If it leaves, however, the family will face into ruin.
Ame-warashi: A rain spirit.
Benten: The patron of geisha, the arts and wisdom.
Namazu: A gaint catfish thought to live beneath the surface of the earth. Kamina is the god that controls it; it's said that when Kamina loses control of him, Namazu's thrashing causes earthquakes.
Kamina: The god that controls Namazu.
Tanuki: A raccoon-dog spirit that's fond of sake and playing tricks.
Ama-chan: Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess. Legend has it that her brother, Susanoo, upset her so much that she hid in a cave - hiding the sun from the world.
Ame-chan: Ame-no-Uzume, the goddess of dawn and revellry. Her dance lured Amaterasu out from her cave.
Susanoo: Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the god of seas and storms. Also, Amaterasu's brother.
Tsukiyomi: The god of the moon.
Oiwa: Tamiya Oiwa was the wife of a masterless samurai who had killed her father, and later, resented her for being the cause of all his troubles. He gave her poison, which disfigured her greatly, and according to one retelling of the story, she ran herself against a sword and killed herself. Her vengeance against her fate turned her into a ghost and she haunted her husband down, forcing him to kill everyone he settled with. According to Japanese belief, if a human, or a thing, forms strong emotional attachment to a certain object or place, or even person, they can come back as spirits.