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 twenty seven, Heitaro sat down to work at his writing desk. Even though it was midday, darkness began to grow all around him, like rolling clouds.

Eventually, it became as dark as blackest night. Poor Heitaro couldn’t see anything at all, let alone write.

Then, all of a sudden, it became blindingly bright!

That night, mysterious noises were heard all around Heitaro’s house. Among them were the sound of wooden clappers being struck, and women’s laughter.