Shigai no Mori
新開の森
Omihachiman, Shiga
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Seemingly harmless, 'Shigai no Mori' is a clustered forest of bamboo and woodland trees situated among countryside rice fields in Omihachiman.
According to the local urban legends, the patch of wood carries a devastating curse which brings chaos to anyone who tries to cut the forest down; particularly death brought about by accidents.
According to the local urban legends, the patch of wood carries a devastating curse which brings chaos to anyone who tries to cut the forest down; particularly death brought about by accidents.
Different sources report various origins of the curse.
One source speculated the area was once a penal colony which was overseen with cruelty and extreme punishment.
Another source states the local maids of Azuchi Castle were dragged from their chambers to this patch of land and executed when it was discovered they had been supporting Nobunaga Oda (a rival lord).
There is debate that the maids were not the targets of execution, but instead were the high priests and the wife of the ruling lord.
After a disagreement broke out in Azuchi Castle, high priests were forced to select a lord and their beliefs to follow. A small gathering of high priests refused to select a lord; secretly participating in a number of meetings supporting various rivaling lords (creating a great threat of sabotage and treason).
Once discovered, they were taken to the land which now sits Shigai no Mori, and were beheaded. While sources claim the wife was also executed, the reason is unknown.
After a disagreement broke out in Azuchi Castle, high priests were forced to select a lord and their beliefs to follow. A small gathering of high priests refused to select a lord; secretly participating in a number of meetings supporting various rivaling lords (creating a great threat of sabotage and treason).
Once discovered, they were taken to the land which now sits Shigai no Mori, and were beheaded. While sources claim the wife was also executed, the reason is unknown.
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Currently, the patch of forest is believed to be hungry for human blood. In order to please the lingering spirits, locals have erected two shrines within the patch of trees.
Shigai no Mori is famous throughout Japan for its blood-stained history; often being spotted in tourist pamphlets in Tokyo and Osaka as one of the most spiritual locations in Japan. |
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