estee wrote:...and what's with that big goose-egg on the ghost's forehead...yikes.
The image of the ghost is based on Oiwa from the classic Yotsuya Kaidan (Yatsuya Ghost Story). Iyemon is a ronin who makes his living as an umbrella maker in the Yatsuya District. He kills his wife Oiwa's father because he knows something evil in Iyemon's past. He is attracted to the granddaughter of a high ranking samurai, so he poisons Oiwa. The poison does not kill her, but it horribly disfigures her (hence the "goose egg"). Filled with resentment and anger, she finally dies. Iyemon's servant witnesses the deed, and so he is murdered as well. Iyemon crucifies the bodies on two sides of a wooden door, and throws it in the river.
He is finally free to marry his young lover. At the wedding, Iyemon lifts up his new bride's veil only to see the frightful face of Oiwa. He draws his sword and beheads her. When he realizes it is really his new wife he has just killed, he runs to tell her grandfather. Iyemon see the ghost of his servant blocking his way, and cuts him down as well. Of course, it is the grandfather that he killed.
Where ever he goes, he see the spirits of Oiwa and his servant, even on a lantern over his head.
He goes fishing to find peace, only to hook the door with the bodies. He becomes a hermit on Hebiyama (Snake Mountain). The vines and ropes around his hut become snakes that drives him to insanity. He is finally killed by his brother-in-law who avenges all the victims.
This story became a kabuki play, and it is the subject of a number of wood cuts. It was even made into a movie.
However, my story The Ghost in the Well has nothing to do with Oiwa. But it does allude to another ghost story, The Ten Dishes. I don't want to give that away, so you'll just have to wait.
[/quote]
