The Honjo Seven Mysteries: Unearthing Tokyo’s Supernatural Past
When travelers imagine Tokyo, they often picture the neon prowess of Shinjuku or the bustling scramble of Shibuya. However, beneath the modern concrete lies the spiritual geography of Edo—a city once teeming with samurai, merchants, and a profound belief in the supernatural. Among the most enduring of these urban legends are the Honjo Seven Mysteries (Honjo Nana Fushigi), a collection of eerie tales hailing from what is now Sumida Ward.
For the culture-seeking traveler, exploring the roots of these legends offers a fascinating glimpse into the Japanese psyche, where the boundary between the mundane and the spirit world is perilously thin.
Origins of the Occult in Edo
The Honjo area, located in the swampy lowlands east of the Sumida River, was a developing district during the Edo period (1603–1867). Filled with samurai residences, canals, and shadowed alleyways, it was the perfect backdrop for kaidan (ghost stories).
In the late Edo period, discussing the strange and grotesque became a popular pastime known as hyakumonogatari (gathering to tell 100 ghost stories). The “Seven Mysteries” format was a common trope in Japan, likely borrowed from Chinese traditions, though the Honjo collection is unique because it rarely settles on exactly seven stories. Depending on the source, there may be nine or more, reflecting the fluid nature of oral tradition.
The Legends: Whispers from the Canals
While the list varies, a few iconic tales have stood the test of time, immortalized in ukiyo-e woodblock prints and kabuki plays. Here are the most famous horrors of Honjo:
1. Oiteke-bori (The Leave-It-Behind Ditch)
Perhaps the most famous of the seven, this legend centers on a fishing spot in Honjo. Fishermen would often have a successful day, catching a bounty of fish. However, as they prepared to leave, a disembodied voice would emanate from the dark water, chanting: “Oiteke… Oiteke…” (Leave it behind… Leave it behind…).
Those who ignored the voice and fled would arrive home to find their baskets empty. In more sinister variations, those who refused to give up their catch would be pulled into the murky depths by a kappa (river imp) or a tanuki (shape-shifting raccoon dog).
2. Ashi-arai Yashiki (The Foot-Washing Mansion)
In a high-ranking samurai’s residence, a thunderous crash would occur every night. The ceiling would split open, and a gigantic, hairy foot would descend into the room. A booming voice would command, “Wash it!”
If the terrified servants washed the giant foot, it would vanish satisfied. If they neglected it, the foot would thrash about, destroying the room. This story perfectly encapsulates the Edo-period fear of the inexplicably absurd invading the domestic sphere.
3. Okuri-chochin (The Sending Lantern)
This is a classic “will-o’-the-wisp” tale. A samurai walking alone at night would see a lantern ahead. Grateful for the light, he would follow it, but no matter how fast he walked, he could never catch up. If he stopped, the light stopped. Eventually, the light would vanish, leaving him stranded in total darkness, often near a cliff or canal edge.
4. Kataha no Ashi (The One-Sided Reed)
In a specific area of Honjo, the reeds grew leaves only on one side. Legend dictates that this was the site of a tragic murder or a hidden body. The spiritual resentment (urami) of the deceased caused the plants to grow deformed, refusing to flourish fully in the direction of the injustice.
Legacy in Modern Culture
The Honjo Seven Mysteries have not faded with the modernization of Tokyo; they have evolved. In the Edo period, artists like Utagawa Kuniyoshi depicted these scenes in woodblock prints, cementing their imagery in the public consciousness.
Today, these stories pervade Japanese pop culture. They appear in anime, manga, and recently gained global attention through the visual novel video game Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo. The game utilizes the actual geography of Sumida Ward, blending historical folklore with modern horror, proving that these centuries-old tales still possess the power to terrify.
Traveler’s Tips: Walking the Haunted Streets
If you are visiting Tokyo and wish to trace the spectral history of Honjo, head to Sumida Ward, specifically the areas around Kinshicho and Ryogoku.
- The Markers: The Sumida tourism board has embraced this history. You can find stone markers and plaques explaining the legends at the approximate locations where they supposedly occurred.
- Oiteke-bori Statue: Look for the statue of the kappa near the Kinshicho station area, a nod to the most famous legend.
- Edo-Tokyo Museum: Located in Ryogoku (currently undergoing renovation, check status before visiting), this museum offers incredible context on the lifestyle of Edo, helping you visualize the dark streets where these stories were born.
Best Time to Visit: Summer. In Japan, summer is the traditional season for ghost stories, as the chills are said to help cool you down in the humid heat.
Sources & Further Reading
For those interested in the deep roots of Japanese mythology and the transition to Edo-period folklore, the following texts and collections are essential:
- Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): While predating the Honjo legends, this 8th-century text establishes the foundational animism and spiritualism that allows phenomena like kappa and wrathful spirits to exist in the Japanese worldview.
- Ukiyo-e Collections: Search for prints by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, specifically his series on the Honjo Nana Fushigi, which provides the definitive visual reference for these tales.
- Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things by Lafcadio Hearn. While more broad, this book is the quintessential English-language introduction to the atmosphere of traditional Japanese ghost stories.