 The well that Okiku was thrown in, now called 'Okiku's Well' .  Version of Okiku's story where Okiku is tortured for the missing plate. . .  Okiku in distress |
Himeji Castle: Okiku's Ghost Story: It is said that a serving girl called Okiku now haunts the grounds of Himeji Castle. Okiku's master was a powerful and successful samurai called Tessan Aoyama. Tessan's Wife had collected ten golden Dutch plates that were very expensive. Okiku was hired to look after these plates in a place called 'The plate mansion'. Tessan soon came to love Okiku and secretly asked her to be his mistress, saying that he would leave his wife. However, Okiku did not show any interest towards Tessan and said no. Tessan was angry at Okiku, as he was not used to not getting his way. Tessan hid one of the ten golden plates that Okiku was asked to look after. Okiku realized that the special plate was missing and went out searching for it. Tessan approached Okiku and told her that if she did not become his mistress he would have her blamed for the stolen plate, and have her tortured and killed. Okiku did not want a Tessan and threw herself into a well in the castle's courtyard. Tessan kept the plate hidden and still blamed Okiku for it. Every night, Okiku'sYuurimi (Ghost/Spirit) would climb out of the well and make its way to the 'The plate mansion' and count the plates. When she reached the number nine, she would wail and scream because of the missing tenth plate. Tessan knew he should put the plate back to please the Yuurimi but didn't. The wailing and screaming of the Yuurimi drove Tessan to insanity and he was banished from Hemiji castle. There are many versions of this ghost story. Some say Okiku was tortured, killed and then threw herself down the well and others say Tessan killed Okiku after she refused to be his mistress and then threw her down the well. .  Okiku's Yurrimi (Ghost) |
