The Possession of Aoi no Ue: A Tale of Living Spirits
Japanese folklore and literature are teeming with ghosts, demons, and spirits, but few are as psychologically complex as the ikiryō—the living ghost. Unlike the spirits of the dead, an ikiryō is a manifestation of a living person’s soul, detached from their body by intense emotion, usually jealousy or rage. The most famous literary example of this phenomenon is found in the classic masterpiece, The Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari), in the tragic story of the Possession of Aoi no Ue.
For cultural travelers and literary enthusiasts, understanding this haunting tale offers a window into the Heian period’s sophisticated aristocracy and the timeless terror of human emotion. Here is the story of Aoi no Ue and the spirit that consumed her.
Origins: The Carriage Dispute
The story dates back to the early 11th century, penned by the court lady Murasaki Shikibu. Aoi no Ue is the lawful, aristocratic wife of the protagonist, Hikaru Genji. However, their marriage is cold and distant. Genji, known for his amorous exploits, has many lovers, including the refined and older Lady Rokujō.
The catalyst for the tragedy is a seemingly mundane event known as the “Carriage Dispute” (Kuruma-arasoi). During the Kamo Festival in Kyoto, the roads were packed with spectators hoping to glimpse the procession. Lady Rokujō, hoping to see Genji, arrived in her carriage. However, when Aoi no Ue’s entourage arrived, they arrogantly pushed Rokujō’s carriage aside, damaging it and humiliating her in front of the commoners and courtiers.
This public shame festered in Lady Rokujō’s heart. In the highly status-conscious Heian court, this loss of face was unforgivable. Her suppressed rage and jealousy toward Aoi no Ue grew so potent that her spirit began to wander while she slept, seeking vengeance without her conscious knowledge.
The Legend: The Exorcism of Aoi no Ue
Shortly after the festival, Aoi no Ue, who was pregnant with Genji’s child, fell violently ill. Her ailment was spiritual rather than physical; she suffered from shortness of breath and heavy chest pains, as if something were crushing her.
In Heian Japan, illness was often attributed to malicious spirits (mono-no-ke). Genji summoned high-ranking Buddhist monks and shamanistic mediums to perform rituals and transfer the possessing spirit into a medium (a catalpa-bow medium) to identify it.
During the ritual, the medium began to speak in a voice that Genji recognized. It was not a wild demon or a dead ancestor, but the elegant, sorrowful voice of Lady Rokujō. The spirit, acting on the subconscious rage of the living woman, lamented her neglected love and the humiliation she suffered.
In the most chilling climax of the scene, the spirit physically attacks Aoi no Ue. Despite the spiritual intervention, the possession proved fatal. Aoi no Ue successfully gave birth to a son but died shortly after, consumed by the ikiryō. Lady Rokujō, upon waking, noticed her clothes smelled of the exorcism incense used in Aoi’s room, realizing with horror that her jealous spirit had committed murder.
Modern Culture: Noh Theater and The Hannya Mask
While The Tale of Genji is a novel, the story of Aoi no Ue found its most enduring visual representation in Noh theater. The play, titled Aoi no Ue, is one of the most performed works in the repertoire.
In the play, Aoi herself is rarely shown on stage; instead, a folded kimono usually represents her bedridden form. The focus is entirely on the confrontation between the holy men and the spirit of Lady Rokujō.
This story is the origin of the specific iconography of the Hannya mask. In the first half of the play, the actor wears a mask representing a noblewoman. As the exorcism intensifies and her rage boils over, the actor switches to the Hannya mask—a face with horns, bulging eyes, and a wide, predatory mouth. The Hannya represents a woman whose grief and jealousy have transformed her into a demon. This imagery is pervasive in modern Japanese pop culture, from anime to tattoo art, symbolizing the destructive power of obsession.
Traveler’s Tips: Tracing the Legend in Kyoto
For those visiting Japan, you can walk the path of this Heian tragedy in Kyoto:
- Shimogamo Shrine & Kamigamo Shrine: These are the sites associated with the Kamo Festival (now the Aoi Matsuri), where the Carriage Dispute took place. The festival is still held every May, featuring Heian-period costumes and ox carts.
- Nonomiya Shrine: Located in the Arashiyama bamboo groves, this small shrine is where Lady Rokujō stayed before leaving Kyoto to become a priestess at Ise, fleeing her guilt. It is a poignant spot for literary pilgrims.
- Noh Theaters: To truly understand the possession, book a ticket to a Noh performance. The National Noh Theatre in Tokyo or the Kongo Noh Theatre in Kyoto often feature Aoi no Ue in their seasonal schedules.
Sources & Further Reading
To deepen your understanding of the spiritual landscape of ancient Japan, consider exploring these texts:
- The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu (Translation by Royall Tyler or Arthur Waley is recommended for the full narrative context).
- Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): While Genji is fiction, the concepts of spirit possession and kami worship described in this 8th-century historical text provide the religious foundation for the Heian beliefs in mono-no-ke.
- The Noh Drama: Ten Plays via the Japan Society for Translations, specifically the text for the play Aoi no Ue.
The possession of Aoi no Ue remains a haunting reminder that in the world of Japanese folklore, the most dangerous demons are often the ones created by our own hearts.