Ryokufuso Inn
緑風荘
Kindaichi, Iwate
The entrance parlour of Ryokufuso Inn in Iwate prefecture.
Image: www.zashiki-warashi.co.jp
Image: www.zashiki-warashi.co.jp
When a child dies within the family home, a zashiki warashi is born. Sworn to protect the household, a zashiki warashi is a playful guardian spirit which brings luck to those who see it. However, if a zashiki warashi is ignored or unloved, a terrible curse will befall the household.
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Built in 1950, the Ryokufuso Inn of Iwate (also known as 'Zashiki Warashi Ryokufuso') is a home of legend.
Right: Zashiki Warashi statue of Sakaiminato, Tottori prefecture (image: wikipedia)
About 600 years ago, a warrior was fleeing forces from the south when he discovered and befriended two six-year-old brothers. The oldest brother came down with a deadly illness, and succumbed after swearing to protect his home - the land of Ryokufuso Inn.
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When the owners and visitors of Ryokufuso Inn began noticing strange occurrences such as the sound of child's laughter and footsteps, objects moving on their own accord, and almost nightly incidents of sleep paralysis, they believed the spirit of the boy had settled as a zashiki warashi. In order to please the zashiki warashi, the owners collected toys and placed them in the front parlour tatami room. As well as toys suddenly springing to life, ghostly orbs are often captured on film.
Ryokufuso Inn has been featured in media on a regular basis - starting in 1971 when a famous author named Testuro Miura published a novel about the inn and its spirit (arguably the beginning of Ryokufuso's fame). Numerous TV personalities and idols have claimed to see the zashiki warashi, and have encountered grand fortunes of wealth and well-being which is claimed to be from the spirit's luck.
Unfortunately, part of the inn burned down at 8:30 in the evening of October 4th, 2009 - perhaps evidence of the zashiki warashi's wrath.
There are plans under-way in rebuilding the area effected.
There are plans under-way in rebuilding the area effected.
This is a link to the Ryokufuso Inn: www.zashiki-warashi.co.jp
This media clip is of Yuko Aoki (a television announcer) staying at Ryokufuso Inn overnight for a program feature. During her stay, strange occurrences happen which are believed to be the zashiki warashi.