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 the ninth night things started getting more serious.

A young samurai acquaintance named Ryodayu visited the house to speak with Heitaro.

“I’ve come to loan you this magnificent sword. It has the power to slay the obake haunting you.”

Just then, a stone mortar began to roll about the house on its own. A perfect chance to demonstrate the sword’s power!

Crack! Ryodayu struck the stone mortar with the katana… only to have it chip against the stone like a worthless toy.

“I’ve ruined the sword! And I failed to slay the monster! I have no right to live!”

Ryodayu took responsibility for his shame by dropping to his knees, drawing his secondary sword, and cutting his stomach open before Heitaro. Blood and guts spilled out all over the room. Heitaro stood for a while in shock.

Heitaro began to wonder if now he, too, must now commit suicide. After all, it was on his account that Ryodayu took his own life. Before he could decide, he heard a knock at his gate…

It was the ghost of Ryodayu.

Heitaro didn’t answer.

The ghost stood outside of Heitaro’s gate. It wailed and moaned menacingly. Then it called out a complaint: “Heitaro, how are you so brave? It’s really annoying!”

The following morning came. Ryodayu’s body, the bloody mess, the stone mortar, and the ghost had all vanished.

It had all been another illusion…