Have you ever heard any old stories in your country? Japan has so many fairy-tales like other countries. And several of them are usually frightening one. It's Halloween week. I am going to tell you today, one well- known spooky Japanese fairy- tale. Every picture is from "Manga Nihon Mukashi-Banashi" まんが日本昔話 ( It's a very very famous TV animation for children 1975-1995). The artist of those pictures by Kazuhiko Miyoshi.
I am going to translate in my own words for 夜中のおとむらい(The late-night march for my funeral).
This was a real story in Turuoka- city, Yamagata- prefecture in the medieval era. (maybe about 17century)
In one night, one Samurai (Knight) was on his way to his home. He had a casual dinner meeting with co-workers. He walked through between houses in the residential area near his home.
Then, a bunch of people who wear white Kimono are marching quietly and passing beside him. This is normally the march after the funeral and it does go to the graveyard. He wondered that Anybody died recently in our community? Nobody let me know.
So, he spoke to a man of these people " Excuse me, did you have a funeral? and who died?" The man answered, "Sir Uhei Oba who worked in a castle as a Samurai."
What?? No!!!... That's my name... They have done my funeral??
He had shocked and looked back suddenly to those people who wear white Kimono, then they had been seeing towards the Samurai as well.
The samurai, Uhei rushed to get his home, then he found a typical ceremony smoke for the funeral at his house's gate. So upset and panicky got into his house, he shouted " Anybody here? " and called his wife's name, daughter's name, son's name and house keeper's name. But nothing has answered and no one there. He devastated and went out of his house immediately. He did not know how long strolled in the castle's district alone after the strange things happened.
He has met Sir Tazaemon Yokoyama who is a close friend of Uhei when got by the pond around the castle. Uhei looked so exhausted and Tazaemon spoked to Uhei, "What are you doing here?"
Uhei told shakily what he saw and a man of the march who mentioned exactly he had my funeral.
Tazaemon was compassionated and kindly accompanied Uhei to get home. And opened the entrance's door.
It has nothing weird happened. It's totally normal. Everyone was OK. Uhei's family and his housekeeper welcomed Uhei and Tazaemon like usual.
None of them mentioned about such kind of strange things.
Tazaemon could not reach to the answer for what was the Uhei's weird experience. Even though Uhei unlikely tell a lie, could not figure out anything like what Uhei said at his home. He left Uhei's house and get back to home. And days and days later, one-day early morning 2 gentle samurai(s) suddenly come to tell something to Tazaemon.
Tazaemon was being woken up by their visiting and get to see them in pyjamas. "Hello Sir, sorry to wake you up, we are coming to tell you about Sir Uhei Oba. He past away suddenly last night. He killed by thieves, unfortunately."
Uh...
The funeral has held for Uhei soon after.
During the march to take his body to the grave...
Tazaemon was recalling Uhei's strange experience all the time. He has not told that to anyone yet.
At that moment,
" Excuse me, did you have a funeral? and who died?"
"Sir Uhei Oba who worked in a castle as a Samurai."
Tazaemon has heard the same conversation. That was exactly as same as what Uhei said.
"Who has spoken to you just now?"
Look back and said " That samurai did"
No one there.
...
This is it.
What Uhei saw is exactly ourself right now.
Sir Uhei Oba had seen this march while he was living. What today's people say is that this is a true story.
If you would like to enjoy watching this story by YouTube video ( not mine), get below and
Happy Halloween everyone!
