Hanako That Haunts Toilets (厕所里的花子)

My Japanese friends seem to have phobia in visiting public toilets at night. According to them, they are afraid of Hanako, a spirit that haunts toilets in Japan. It is said that this poor girl died in a toilet for some reasons and only to be discovered by others days later after she passed away. So the restless spirit of this girl keeps haunting Japanese toilets until today. Although I couldn’t understand why one particular spirit can be all encompassing and that it can haunt so many Japanese toilets across the country.

 

According to what was told to me, my friends would always check for the last cube in public toilets to see if the door of the cube is shut at night. If the door of last cube is indeed shut, then my pals rather piss elsewhere than venture to release themselves for the fear of coming face to face with this horrific Hanako.

 

There are some taboos when using a public toilet at night in Japan following the fear of Hanako spirit:

 

First, one should not look above at the ceiling when the person is doing his/her business in a toilet. This is to prevent the accidental view of Hanako on the ceiling board. People believe that Hanako would attach itself onto the ceiling board and it would let those who didn’t see it go; but Hanako would harm those who accidentally see it. So, it is a big no-no to look at the ceiling in toilets!

 

Second, one must not call Hanako's name while doing business in the toilet. Or in that matter, when the person hears his/her name being called by someone; then it is best not to respond. Otherwise his/her soul shall be made slave by Hanako and this person shall become mad due to the lost of soul.

 

Thirdly, one must not look into the toilet mirrors for the fear of inadvertently seeing the reflection of Hanako. It is said that anyone who sees Hanako in toilet mirrors, then his/her soul shall be trapped inside the mirror and again; this unfortunate person shall be insane.

 

Well, I am no fans of Hanako but old Chinese believe that toilet is a place full of Yin energy and that spirits like to stay in toilets that are damp and dark. I would frown at toilets that have water marks on the wall or ceiling; as that would be a sign that the place might be haunted. Although I am a little unsure if Hanako would travel to Malaysia and haunt the local toilets too?

 

Anyway, if you have come across anything similar to Hanako in local toilets, please drop me a note and share with us!