Thursday, April 22, 2010

The Terror of the Toilet





If you ever have the chance to travel to Japan (or if you're lucky enough to live there), you would be wise to avoid the third bathroom stall on the third floor of any school building you visit.

That particular stall is said to be haunted by a ghost with bobbed hair and a red skirt. Known as Toire no Hanako-san (“Hanako of the toilet”), she's the spirit of a girl who met a tragic end at the hands of a demented adult.

If you're in a bit of a spot, and the stall in question is your only option, knock three times to see if Hanako-san answers. If she does, DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR, unless you fancy being pulled into the toilet and joining the ghost girl in her foul-smelling grave.

(The information above comes from Pink Tentacle, which should really publish a travel guide.)

16 comments:

EQ said...

I've always wondered why ghosts who were perfectly nice people in life become homicidal crazies when they're dead. I can understand if they were harmed by someone and go haunt for a while (seriously, wouldn't that be fun?), but what about all those people who met tragic ends due to accidents or by being murdered? Wouldn't you want to PREVENT other people falling prey to whatever got you?

The Golden Eagle said...

If they published a tour guide, Japan might receive a few less paranoid visitors, and get more spiritualists. . . (or whatever they're called.)

Orange Notes said...

Wow. Sounds like a rather violent Moaning Myrtle o.o

Anonymous said...

I am a bit obsessed with public bathroom hygiene, and I admit my first thought was I bet that is the cleanest stall since it would be least used!

Poison Pen said...

Pink Tentacle should publish a travel guide.

EQ: I agree--although, there is that one story about the railroad crossing where if you stop on it, the ghosts of a bus of kids that got hit by a train there will push you across to safety. One would think that all ghosts who met tragic ends would protect those in danger of meeting the same fate.

Orange Notes: HAH. A violent, Japanese Moaning Myrtle. xD Glad to see I'm not the only one who thought of that.

Some Lost Melody said...

I want to go to Japan so bad!! ( I love anime :] )

Clare said...

ditto, EQ

Anna said...

I love Japan so much. I need to go so badly... *Drool all over the keyboard thinking of Japan*
PS: My class is working on an ecosystem project: each of us makes our own giant ecosystem on the wall. I chose the abyss: complete with a giant squid! If you want, I could take pictures of the finished project for you, it seems like something you would enjoy... I even have a giant isopod!

MorethanMe said...

SomeLostMelody: I LOVE anime too! What shows/mangas do you like? *Smiling realy big because she thought she was the only person outside of japan that liked anime.*

Orange Notes said...

According to Pink Tentacle, showing Hanako San a perfectly scored test is sort of like a lucky/protection charm. So maybe this story was just a way for Japanese authorities to scare kids into working harder. It must work with the younger ones.

MushroomCloud said...

No that's just weird.

MushroomCloud said...

Sayi thought it sounded likeMoaning Myrtle. I'm writing a sequel right now. i forgot to put Myrtle in.thans!

I go back and fix my spelling,but Im to lazy

Erin said...

Good to know.

Akaichou95 said...

HANAKO-SAN!!!!!!! I ♥ Japan SOOOO much!! Japan's ghost stories are brilliant! *-*!!! That one's going on the bucket list. Hey, Kirsten, have you heard of the Kuchisake-onna, or Yuki-onna? It's really interesting:
Kuchisake-onna was a woman who lived in Heian Japan who was very beautiful, but vain, so she cheated on her husband (a samurai). He soon figured this out, and slashed her mouth from ear to ear. So, now she wears a surgical mask to cover up, which is common in Japan because residents don't want to spread diseases and sickness. She usually goes for children, students, and male adults. She asks you if she's beautiful, you say yes, and she pulls off the mask and asks again. Different outcomes will depend on your answer and gender. Kuchisake means: Mouth-slit, and onna means: woman.
Yuki-onna is a snow ghost. Yuki meaning snow.

Anonymous said...

Exactly EQ exactly,
EQ- SAid

I've always wondered why ghosts who were perfectly nice people in life become homicidal crazies when they're dead. I can understand if they were harmed by someone and go haunt for a while (seriously, wouldn't that be fun?), but what about all those people who met tragic ends due to accidents or by being murdered? Wouldn't you want to PREVENT other people falling prey to whatever got you?
ME.
They didnt kill u someone else did! I just dont get Bloody mary, the candycane man or Hanako-San!!!

Anonymous said...

Poison Pen- You know thats been proved not true? that theres a slight slaint in the road,, anyway I agree 100%ly