Tomino's Hell (Sachiko)

So this is about a poem about a Tomino who dies and falls to hell, and apparently if you read it out loud you will die! However, if you're lucky you won't die but some freaky stuff will happen. "Tomino's Hell" was written by Yomota Inuhiko in a book called "The Heart is Like a Rolling Stone", and was included in Saizo Yaso's 27th collection of poems in 1919 in case any of you wish to read it (But oh god not out loud please!). Although it isn't proven if it works if you read it in English or any other language apart from Japanese...

I have not read the poem out loud myself but I am quite on edge after reading it... read it and you will understand why...

Rokudo Chinno Temple: Passage to the Underworld (Sachiko)

At Rokudo Chinno Temple, there is a well that supposedly acts as a passageway to the underworld. The Heian period scholar Ono no Takamura, also known as Sangi no Takamura, served the Imperial Court by day, then would allegedly climb down this well at night to aid in the work of judging those souls who have died and entered the afterlife. His grave is said to be in Kita Ward, Kyoto, next to the grave of Murasaki Shikibu, the woman who penned the epic “Tale of Genji” and, as legend has it, descended into hell as a punishment for her lustful behavior.

Jisshu Shrine: Betrayal and Revenge (Sachiko)

I noticed that neither me nor Tokiko have posted in a while so I shall post this, I hope Tokiko hasn't lost her head...

Anyway~!

One place is right under the noses of the multitudes gawking at the magnificent construction of Kiyomizu Temple. Situated adjacent to the temple is Jisshu Shrine, a popular place for women who come to pray for good fortune in love. However, there is a darker side to this bustling sightseeing spot. Standing at the shrine is the Prayer Cedar, where as you probably already guessed, visitors come to pray. But bored into this seemingly innocuous tree are nail holes made by women who have been betrayed by their lovers. “Ushi no Kokumairi,” meaning “the 2 a.m. visit,” is an old Japanese means of cursing someone you despise and praying for their death by nailing a “wara ningyo” (straw doll) into an ancient tree at a shrine at the “hour of the Ox.”

Judging from the freshness of the holes in the Prayer Cedar, it seems this ancient practice is still alive and well, though according to someone who went and asked about it, the head priest is reluctant to discuss the matter for fear of encouraging more such unsavory behavior. Another place in Kyoto where the “Ushi no Kokumairi” has been performed is Kifune Shrine in Sakyo Ward, which enshrines not only a god of marriage, but also gods of divorce and curses.

So to all you guys in Japan, be nice to your lady or she might just pray for your death.