Okiku and the Nine Plates was one of the most popular stories collected in the Hyakumonogatari Kaidenkai, a comprehensive monogatari of popular Kwaidan. [1]
Tale[]
Mirumoto Aoyama was a Lord called “the Victorious”, who boasted many victories in battle and duels within the court. He was rewarded by the Dragon Clan Champion with a beautiful servant, Okiku, and ten golden plates. Aoyama in his dotage he had become greedy, selfish, and quite lecherous, who wished to make Okiku his lover. He hid one of the ten golden plates, which she polished every night, and let Okiku believe that she had carelessly lost the gift. The servant refused to become his lover in return for Aoyama to overlook the matter, and she was killed by the guards. This night and every other one after this Okiku's soul returned to clean each golden plate again and again, counting one to nine and screeching at the number ten. Aoyama could not rest and an Ise Zumi monk said that in order for the spirit to leave, Aoyama must repent. He confessed his crimes and this night she shouted TEN! as Okiku's count neared the end, and the spirit vanished. Aoyama was sent away in disgrace and never seen again. [2]
References
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