The traditional Japanese beliefs, state that all humans have a spirit or soul called a 霊魂(reikon). It is believed that when a person dies, the 霊魂 (reikon) leaves the body and enters a form of purgatory. It then waits for it's proper funeral and pre-funeral rites to be performed, so that it may then join its ancestors. When done correctly, the 霊魂 (reikon) is believed to become the protector of the living family and return every year in August. This is during the Obon Festival, the 霊魂 (reikon) comes here to receive thanks.
However if the person dies in a violent or sudden way such as suicide or murder, and the proper rites have not be performed, or if they're influenced by emotions such as revenge, love, or sorrow the 霊魂 (reikon) is thought to turn into a 幽霊(Yūrei) which can come back to the physical world. The 幽霊(Yūrei) will remain on the physical world until it can be laid to rest, either by performing the rituals, or resolving the emotional conflict it has. If neither are done, the 幽霊(Yūrei) will continue to haunt.
幽霊(Yūrei) appearance: at first 幽霊(Yūrei) had no particular appearance, but due to their popularity in theater and literature they soon began to have their own attributes to distinguish themselves from humans. 幽霊(Yūrei) are normally dressed in white, with is symbolic of a white burial kimono, used in the edo period funeral rituals. In Shinto, where white is a colour of purity traditionally reserved for priests and the dead. The kimono can either be a plain unlined kimono (Katabira), or a katabira with with Buddhist's sutras (Kyokatabira). 幽霊(Yūrei) generally have long dishevelled black hair. When in actual fact; Japanese woman traditionally grew their hair and wore i pinned up, it was let down for the funeral and burial. 幽霊(Yūrei) hands hang lifelessly, with their lower arms outstretched. Some 幽霊(Yūrei) lack legs or feet, similar to western ghosts. 幽霊(Yūrei) were also accompanied by 2 floating flames, these would normally be in unusual colours such as green, purple or blue.
Haunting: 幽霊(Yūrei) Usually stay in a specific location such as where they were killed, or where their body lies. However they may also follow a specific person such as their lover or murderer. They appear at a time when the veil between the world of the dead and living are at their thinnest which is believed to be between 2 and 3am. 幽霊(Yūrei) will continue to haunt until their purpose has been fulfilled or emotional burdens removed. There are some 幽霊(Yūrei), most commonly 怨霊 (Onryō) who are vengeful spirits, that persist in haunting even after their killer has been brought to justice.Yūrei will continue to haunt that particular person or place until their purpose is fulfilled, and they can move on to the afterlife. However, some particularly strong yūrei, specifically 怨霊onryō who are consumed by vengeance, continue to haunt long after their killers have been brought to justice. A famous haunting is of an 怨霊 (Onryō) called Oiwa. To exorcise a 幽霊(Yūrei) you can help it fulfil it's purpose, however with 幽霊(Yūrei) such as 怨霊 (Onryō) this isn't always possibles as they are filled with an emotional rage. Malicious 幽霊(Yūrei) can be repelled by holy Shinto writings , which must be placed on the head of the 幽霊(Yūrei) to banish the spirit. These can also be attached to the door way of a house to prevent a 幽霊(Yūrei) from entering.
However if the person dies in a violent or sudden way such as suicide or murder, and the proper rites have not be performed, or if they're influenced by emotions such as revenge, love, or sorrow the 霊魂 (reikon) is thought to turn into a 幽霊(Yūrei) which can come back to the physical world. The 幽霊(Yūrei) will remain on the physical world until it can be laid to rest, either by performing the rituals, or resolving the emotional conflict it has. If neither are done, the 幽霊(Yūrei) will continue to haunt.
幽霊(Yūrei) appearance: at first 幽霊(Yūrei) had no particular appearance, but due to their popularity in theater and literature they soon began to have their own attributes to distinguish themselves from humans. 幽霊(Yūrei) are normally dressed in white, with is symbolic of a white burial kimono, used in the edo period funeral rituals. In Shinto, where white is a colour of purity traditionally reserved for priests and the dead. The kimono can either be a plain unlined kimono (Katabira), or a katabira with with Buddhist's sutras (Kyokatabira). 幽霊(Yūrei) generally have long dishevelled black hair. When in actual fact; Japanese woman traditionally grew their hair and wore i pinned up, it was let down for the funeral and burial. 幽霊(Yūrei) hands hang lifelessly, with their lower arms outstretched. Some 幽霊(Yūrei) lack legs or feet, similar to western ghosts. 幽霊(Yūrei) were also accompanied by 2 floating flames, these would normally be in unusual colours such as green, purple or blue.
Haunting: 幽霊(Yūrei) Usually stay in a specific location such as where they were killed, or where their body lies. However they may also follow a specific person such as their lover or murderer. They appear at a time when the veil between the world of the dead and living are at their thinnest which is believed to be between 2 and 3am. 幽霊(Yūrei) will continue to haunt until their purpose has been fulfilled or emotional burdens removed. There are some 幽霊(Yūrei), most commonly 怨霊 (Onryō) who are vengeful spirits, that persist in haunting even after their killer has been brought to justice.Yūrei will continue to haunt that particular person or place until their purpose is fulfilled, and they can move on to the afterlife. However, some particularly strong yūrei, specifically 怨霊onryō who are consumed by vengeance, continue to haunt long after their killers have been brought to justice. A famous haunting is of an 怨霊 (Onryō) called Oiwa. To exorcise a 幽霊(Yūrei) you can help it fulfil it's purpose, however with 幽霊(Yūrei) such as 怨霊 (Onryō) this isn't always possibles as they are filled with an emotional rage. Malicious 幽霊(Yūrei) can be repelled by holy Shinto writings , which must be placed on the head of the 幽霊(Yūrei) to banish the spirit. These can also be attached to the door way of a house to prevent a 幽霊(Yūrei) from entering.
No comments:
Post a Comment