Okiku's Well

By Crusader1307

 A well known Medieval Japanese ''Ghost Story'' which is made more real by the existence of ''Okiku's Well'' which is located at Himeji Castle in Hyogo, Japan. The tale is a classic ''Yokai'' (Ghost) tale still told today. Our retelling is in the 15th Century AD. It deals with a Samurai Lord who was somewhat ''full of Himself''. A Local Girl name Okiku was hired to work as a Scullery Maid at The Castle. She was very beautiful and as such The Samurai had to ''have Her''. He wined Her, dined Her and made promises to take care of Her Family. All these requests were politely refused by Okiku. The Samurai was angry but would wait until He could concieve a plan to win her.

As was custom in the region, Families kept Delft Plates. These were ten finely crafted earthen plates that were often used a dowery for a young Woman when married. These plates were so regulated that the loss of even one could result in death. The Samurai made arrangements for one of Okiku's family plates to come up missing. When the plate was discovered missing, a distraught Okiku went to The Samurai, telling Him of the theft. The cunning Lord said that He would not report the loss IF Okiku would marry Him. Even with this, Okiku refused. The Samurai became enraged. He grabbed Okiku and threw Her from a window in The Castle. Her body fell directly into a nearby well. The Samurai forbid any recovery of Her body, leaving it their to rot. Several years later, many say that they could near a woman's voice, slowly counting ''1 thru 9''. At the count of ''10'', the voice would left out a ghastly shriek. It was said if One heard the scream, One would die soon after from ''misadventure''. Finally, in the 17th Century a local Man had had enough of poor Okiku's ''haunting''. He stood near The Well and waited for the voice to begin it's count.

Hearing the ghost reach ''9'', the Man called out in a loud voice ''10!''. An eerie calm came over the Well. No further counting or shrieks were ever heard. Many think that when Okiku heard the number 10, it meant that the missing Plate was found. Her Spirit could rest. The Well is still a popular spot for tourists at Himeji Castle completely encircled by a fence. Okiku's ''story'' has been modified thru the Centuries many times making it one of Japans most well known ''Ghost Stories''.