week4 legend

Today,I explain about legend in Himeji castle.

There is the old well called “Okiku-ido(お菊井戸)”　this well have a famous ghost story.

450years ago, Aoyama Tessan who is regency of Himeji Castle tried take over it. Aoyama consulted with Tyonotsubo Danshirou to kill Kotera Noritomo who was the lord of castle.

Kinugasa Motonobu who was a faithful follower of the lord of castle noticed plot. So Kinugasa sent Okiku to Tessan’s house to investigate a state.

By the way, Kogoro who was Tessan’s son was locked up in a house, because he noticed father’s plot and tried stop. Kogoro loved Sirotae-hime so he wanted to make her sad. Okiku pitied him and kind. When Okiku Knew Kogoro loved shirotae-hime, she said, ”Do you have anything you said her? I am on good terms with her. So I can tell her”

Kogoro was moved by her kind, so he talked about father’s plot.

Motonobu herd news from Okiku.  Motonobu tryied to kill Tessan. But Tessan was garded from followers. And Tessan run away Ieshima.

As a result, Tessan became the lord of Himeji castle.

Later, Okiku stayed Tessan’s house. Okiku keep investigating a state of Tessan for Motonobu. Finally Danshiro noticed Okiku’s plot.

But Danshiro thought that he have wanted to marry Okiku, so he said. ”If you marry me, I would keep silent.” Danshiro’s opinion made Okiku fearful. Okiku loved Notonobu, so she rejected. Danshiro feel hateful to Okiku.

One day, Okiku put away plates called “Komogaenogusoku-sara” it was a family treasure of an antidote. Normally, there were ten plates. But one plate was shorted. Okiku counted from one to ten many times with trembling. However, there are nine plates.

In truth, Danshiro hide one plate without noticing anyone.

Danshiro made a big fuss about one plate. Danshiro took Okiku to his house. Danshiro hanged Okiku on a pine tree. Danshiro beat Okiku by a bamboo sword and blame her.

But Okiku would not listen to Danshiro. Danshiro got angry, so he killed Okiku. And Danshiro threw Okiku away in the wall.

Since then, any one herd weak woman’s voice.

“one… two… three…nine. ” it was sadly Okiku’s voice with sobbing. When it counted nine, it stop. And Okiku counted again from one.

Later, tessan was destroyed by Motonobu. Norimoto got again Himeji castle.

Norimoto lamented the death of Okiku. So Norimoto pray for Okiku in the shrine called “junisyo-zinja”

After 300 years since okiku was death, the eerie insects grew in the Himeji Castle. The figure was like human who is hang on tree. People said that a deep-seated grudge of Okiku became the eerie insects. People called this insects “Okiku-mushi”

The wall Okiku was threw away is gossiped “Okiku-Ido” in the Himeji Castle.

********************************************************************************

How do you feel “Okiku-ido”? it is very terrible story. I think you were so scared you had goosebumps !  love between man and moman is troublesome in present day. Did you enjoy reading this story? I wish you make good use of time!

Thank you for your reading! See you again!