This year for #ayokaiaday we are looking at the bizarre occurrences which took place at the Ino residence in Miyoshi, Hiroshima, during July of 1749. These occurrences all revolve around a young boy named Ino Heitaro. His story is collected in Ino mononoke roku, a collection of scrolls, books, and legends which collectively form the narrative of a supernatural phenomenon that took place 270 years ago.
On day thirteen, Heitaro’s cook suggested hanging a sacred painting of Yakushi Nyorai in the house for protection. He offered to travel to Saikoji to borrow the scroll. However, his legs seized up and he wasn’t able to walk. So instead, Heitaro and his friend Heigoro would journey to the temple to borrow the painting.
Along the way, there was a flash of bright light and a sound like thunder. A bright red stone hurtled through the sky, and struck Heigoro’s back!
Heigoro fell to the ground, badly hurt and unable to walk. Heitaro had to carry him all the way home.
In the end, nobody got the scroll.
Ouch!
YOW! Actually, Heitaro AND his friend were lucky! That sounds like a meteorite, and if it really had been, Heitaro, his friend, and probably half the province (or more) would be… GONE. It’s a wonder Heitaro’s friends are even still talking to him.
Yes, these days it seems like being Heitaro’s friend is more of a liability than anything else!