What is an onryo

The Emperor Kanmu had accused his brother Sawara, possibly falsely, of plotting to remove him as rival to the throne, and the latter who was exiled died by fasting. This not succeeding entirely, the emperor tried to lift the curse by appeasing his brothers ghost, by performing Buddhist rites to pay respect, and granting Prince Sawara the posthumous title of emperor. It is said that there have been different viewpoints throughout the ages in Japan and across different regions including that 'the dead become sacred beings', 'the dead become beings to be abhorred' or that 'people who die of unnatural causes become revengeful ghosts and curse the living.

Also while not completely unrelated to folklore, the philosopher Takeshi UMEHARA is noted for his work 'History of Onryo' which looks at Japanese history from the point of view of the appeasement of revengeful ghosts.

In Indian Buddhism there are no revengeful ghosts as there are seven opportunities for reincarnation, one each seven days after death, so all the deceased without exception are thought to be reincarnated within 49 days. Release Date. Get a first look at the PlayStation exclusive character joining the team in this cinematic trailer! In Partnership with Wal-Mart. Finch Movie Review. Table of Contents. Oiwa trusted her husband, believing when he comforted Oiwa, promising he would find her father's murderer.

No longer a samurai, Iemon was forced to become an oilpaper umbrella maker in order to support his young pregnant wife. Under this circumstance and bored with his marriage, Iemon started feeling resentful of Oiwa, whom he once had loved. Influenced by his wealthy neighbor, whose granddaughter was in love with Iemon, he murdered Oiwa after the neighbor considered a marriage between Iemon and his granddaughter, and so Iemon would become rich.

Iemon poisoned Oiwa but failed as the poison disfigured, but did not kill her. However, Oiwa died after her eventual realization of her husband's true intentions. Kobote Kohei, Oiwa's faithful servant, discovered and was murdered as well. Iemon threw both corpses into a river and went to marry the neighbor's granddaughter. Kohei's ghost also tricked him, causing Iemon to murder his father-in-law. After being pursued by Oiwa's vengeful ghost, Iemon was murdered by Oiwa's brother, avenging his evil deeds.