Dear Shogo, My partner and I have been to Japan a lot, 7 times in the last 4 years and there is something amazing about the culture that kept bringing us back. I’ve always felt like there are so many things I didn’t understand about the culture and I have to say your analysis of Japanese society is objective and your observational skills are amazing! Thank you for your videos ! Very helpful for foreigners like me!
Yo you should totally just move there, thats alotta travel money, and you clearly love it there, unless you cant speak the language fluently but hey you could always learn haha
I would binge watch a series where Shogo narrates ghost stories and other traditional Japanese tales in Rakugo style. His measured tone could bring these stories into life in an entertaining but respectful manner.
i enjoy these stories. There's a similar story of the dead returning to torment the living in the US as well. For example, take the case of Don Decker of Stroudsburg, PA, in 1983, who was haunted by his abusive grandfather. His grandfather manifested as an unusual "water poltergeist". The events were witnessed by numerous people including the local police.
For some reason I imagine Sutoku Tennou reaction to having his manuscripts sent back being something along the line of "They think these are curses?! Fine, if they want curses I'll give them curses."
And if it ain't enough, get *everyone else beyond Japan* to suffer his curse for some reason by showing them his new manuscripts That's right, I'm talking about getting reincarnated as Karl Marx and fukking publish his Communist Manifesto If anyone's asking me for source, *I made it the fuk up.* It's only due to the coincidental similarities I came up with that legend
Ooooo, the mythos of Japan! As a lover of Yokai and Japanese ghost stories, I couldn't be more happy for this! Would you mind doing a mini shorts series on various stories like this? Like perhaps on on the Night Parade of 100 Demons? Even so, keep up the great work as always. Road to 2,000,000 let's go!
The first time I was introduced to the concept of ascending into godhood was from playing Ōkami. That game was so inspirational to me when I played it. Instead of being dragged down by the world and just living in it, we should be encouraged to reshape it into a better place. This of course can cause more problems, but that's part of working on the path, to learn.
You always say to adjust the playback speed to 1.25-2x, but I enjoy the slower, methodical cadence to which you usually speak in these videos. Makes them more relaxing in a way.
I love Masakado! My first trip to Tokyo involved me dragging my friends to visit the gravesite. Whats interesting is that the gravesite was originally the location of the Kanda Myojin temple which was moved to it's present location near Akihabara when the Emperor moved to Tokyo and Masakado was one of the enshrined dieties there. However since he was associated with rebellion against the Emperor he was removed from the list of deities in the Shrine when it became sponsored by the government as an official Shinto Shrine. It wasn't until many years later due to his popularity as a defender of Tokyo that he was added back in. Also, the Ministry of Finance was already in the area before the Earthquake and at that time based off what pictures I have seen and the Teito Monogatari films the "Mound" was an actual hill in a park with a lake and not just a grave marker. The Kanto Earthquake opened the tomb, and when no remains were found inside that sparked the initial decision to bulldoze the hill and build over it leading to the first wave of mysterious deaths. I haven't seen too many depictions of the Kubizuka prior to the Meiji period but i believe it was within the grounds of Edo Castle during the shogunate given that it is right across the inner moat from the current Imperial Palace.
I respect and honor the onryo. I will definitely pay my respects at least one of them if I come to Japan. Even as I write this, I say a prayer for them. I understand their feelings that they had. Because I have those feelings.
One of my favorite types of RU-vid content is the supernatural stuff out there. Being a man-of-faith, spiritual matters and experiences fascinate me. Great video buddy...I've been waiting for you to cover Japanese ghost lore...it's some of the best in the world.
Looove stuff like this!! But not because of anime. Just love the history tied to it. I learned something new. I didn't know there could be live people that still could turn into vengeful spirits just from strong emotions.
I'm addicted to this channel...my 2sons and 2daughters who dream of living in Japan, made me look for such channels. Now I'm stuck. I appreciate sharing pieces about your culture. Thanks from Jordan 🇯🇴❤️ we're Arab and Muslims.
I really enjoyed listening to this one. I think that it's interesting how many tales of yokai and the like are tied to nobles, samurai, and other such notable positions. I didn't know that some shrines are dedicated to yokai. Interesting how you have a blend of the root Japanese gods, and then folk events that are also mixed into the shrine dedications. Another great video!
ive been reading a lot about Taira no Masakado lately as a result of me planning to cosplay him, specifically, Shin Megami Tensei's version of Taira no Masakado. How curious, just when i open youtube, my favorite japanese culture-focused youtube channel uploads a video talking about him.
☆YES!☆ Thanks so much for actually taking in our suggestions and making content based on them! It really shows that you care about your viewers' voices ♡
Here too in Mangalore (India) our culture venerates and worships many spirits who can be considered as Onryo who calmed down after having shrines dedicated to them. Thank you for presenting such a wonderful video!
I very much like your storytelling and thank you for sharing these stories...I agree Masakado is definitely the most frightening! Really liked your afterword and why there are probably more vengeful spirits in the Heian period - just starting to learn about the different periods - very interesting.
I think Taira no Masakado is the scariest because the head flew to search his body i mean thats way creepy it remind of my countrie ghost we called Kuyang or in my home place Bali we called leak the different is that Kuyang/Leak is flew not just a head but with his/her internal organ
Taira no Masakado is clearly the winner for me. It might be due to my affection for Samurai. I know you already made a video about great Samurai and Swordsman. But could you shine a bit more light onto the main character of the tv series "Wolf and Cub"? I loved that series and would like to know how much was based on real history.
SHUTOKU: At least deliver these poems, so that people may know me. BUDDHISTS: Uhhh, no. You're probably trying to curse us or something. SHUTOKU: Challenge accepted.
Very interesting! I would love to hear more Japanese ghost stories. Maybe you can do a special video for Obon? That would be fun; maybe you could tell us scary stories with only candles as your light source. I would enjoy that a lot.
Kinda feel bad for the late Emperor Sutoku. Man deserved better after his devotion to Buddhism, but sadly his act of redemption was denied. A truly tragic life, eh?
And considering that one specific thing that started gaining traction in late WW1 Russia and still lingers now, late ex emperor do be committing massive juju against everywhere besides Japan
I’m a teacher and I LOVE your work. Your English is incredible and you have a really lovely way of storytelling. My friend lived in Tokyo, and you’ve made me so desperate to visit! Have an amazing day
Taira no Masakado's head mound grave really does make his come off as the most frightening. His grudge must've run far deep, since one of his daugthers got immortalized in the Takiyasha-hime legend.
I think I feel more bad for these 3 spirits than scared. I've had co-workers who treated me poorly after I got promoted and would spread rumors that I didn't earn the promotion, so I can really relate to that first fellow.
There's a song by Unlucky Morpheus calles 鉄皇. It's about 平将門, and one of the last lines translates to "If one holds a strong grudge, then one day...". I never understood what that means, until now 😁 It's one of my favourite songs, which is now even more awesome
Thank you for sharing these stories. I'm doing research to write a story that takes place in Kyoto and involves a samurai warrior who dies in a tragic way.
Will be in Japan in three weeks and im looking forward to visiting the Shrine of Taira No Masakada. Thanks for these videos, very entertaining and informative!
Ah yes.. vengeful spirit, also part of daily lives as an Indonesian. In Jakarta alone, at least 3 infamous vengeful spirits figure I've known so far. 1. Si cantik jembatan ancol (EN : The lady of the Ancol bridge). 2. Hantu Jeruk Purut (EN : Ghost of Jeruk Purut cemetery). 3. Hantu terowongan Casablanca (EN : Ghost from tunnel of Casablanca). Some Jakartans believed that these vengeful spirit still haunting their respective dying place. But, between these three, it was said that only number 3 that was the most ominous between them all. Even to this day, people that pass the tunnel of Casablanca during late at night, believed that they must use their car or motorcycle horn when passing this tunnel at least once, if they don't want to get an accident.
This was a Very Interesting Video! I was Wondering when You will make a Scary Video. Just, maybe You should have filmed it at Night under the Light of Candles, and use some Japanese Scary Sounds. If I understood it corectly, in Japan, Drops of Water falling is a scary Sound. You should make more Videos like this one! For me all 3 Stories are Scary!
Love the video Shogo, any plans on doing a video regarding the killing stone that split recently, the history of the rock and what's happened recently? Thanks in advance and keep doing what you do.
Love the change of the background to include a window with katanas and calligraphy on the side. Very fitting for the topic as well because powerful katanas are believed to ward away evil. Of course for more aesthetic, non military topics, an ikebana flower arrangement could replace the rows of katanas. Learned this from Sen Rikyu.
I sort of believe those stories about sinners being struck by lightning. The house I live in has a similar story attached to it. In 1941 there was a wedding party in the orchard and some german soldiers crashed the party. They drank a lot of booze and bothered the girls (including the bride) at one point in the evening a lightning struck from the clear sky and killed all five of them. I actually was able to talk with an eyewitness of this event (my grand-grandmother). I really believe that there's something to both of these stories, even though we're half a world apart :D
The thing is, Sugawara No Michizane and Sutoku Emperor had poems in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu. For horrifying ghosts, it's unusual that they had their own card pieces for karuta.
Maybe doing more videos on folklore n ghosts/monsters that are integral to Japanese heritage! Keep up the great work, congratulations on the 1 million subscribers!!!
Daizaifu Tenmangu shrine is really nice too. I went there in 2019, and got to eat Yakimochi. The three bridges are incredibly lovely. Everybody should visit, in my opinion.
Thank You once again amazing learning something new. Watching this while receiving Transfusions to help my immune system after a severe infection and this definitely kept my mind off it during the treatment... many thanks.
Thanks.Nice video.Japanese superstitions are somewhat similar to Russian ones, only the names of the characters are different.I like the theme of "shower".Russians also believe that the soul is in everything and everyone(as you treat an object, so the object will be).
Ooh, didn't know that Sugawara no Michizane had such a reputation. I went to Kitano Tenmagu when I was in the process of changing university and feeling vere stressed since I was on a scholarship. I won't ever forget that when I was praying, two of my rings made of semi precious stones, broke and my Japanese mom started celebrating saying that everything was going to be ok. I almost cried since I understood perfectly what she meant, and my mom, who was visiting, was very confused. 🤣 And when I moved out of Kyoto to Osaka, it turned out that the very small local shrine was also dedicated to Tenjin-sama. So... I'm very indebted to him since I felt he kept looking for me since that visit until I left the country. ... I miss Japan so much... 😢
I think the third vengeful spirit is probably the most tragic because his worship isn't out of love or respect, as in the case of the first two examples. They only do it to appease his spirit.
I went to the Shrine of Tsutoku last year, it's unfortunate how little he is known now and how the shrine is more associated with sport victory than him!
Nice video! I learned about Taira no Masakado a few years ago and visit his grave in Tokyo every time I go there. The area has gotten smaller though - it's about half the size it was a few years ago. Hopefully nothing will happen as a result!
Piqued my interest to learn about Onryo since i played Fatal Frame series. And wow, never in a second i learn about it without having my body shaking all the time.
