The 13th Flight （十三阶级）

There are many ghost stories popular amongst Japanese school children. Like the Chinese, Japanese too are fond of telling ghost stories but with quite a distinct flavour. Normally, a Japanese children’s ghost story comes with a moral. Below is just one of those many stories and the hidden messages are very clear:    

In an old school building and on one of the floors, the staircase has only 12 flights during daytime. But if you return to the same place at night and recounting the number of flights, then you will get 13 flights instead.

Rumour has it that many years ago, a very naughty student used to study in this school. He was extremely bad and it was said that this student has broken all available school regulations there were and he even fought with the disciplinary teacher. He also said to have quarrelled with other teachers who taught him. One night, after having a dispute with his teacher; he returned to the school building at night wanting to burn down the school. However, in the process of setting up fire; the school security discovered him and wanted to arrest this student.

Panicked, the said student ran up the staircase. When he ran up to the staircase of this particular floor, he slipped a flight and fell onto the ground; broke his skull and died on the spot.

From then on, rumours of the school building became haunted started to spread. One braver student was not too superstitious. So, he returned to the school at night to perform ghost hunting. He walked alone one flight at a time ascending the staircase. As he walked, he counted the number of flights he has taken. It was precisely at the end of the 12^th flight, the 13^th flight appeared.

This brave soul still couldn’t believe himself. So, he took another step onto the 13^th flight. As soon as the brave student was on the 13^th flight, a black hole appeared before him. He could see that there were many people inside the hole. The crowd started to walk towards him and he started to feel afraid. As he took a step backwards, someone pushed from his back. Startled, he turned his head and saw a half-head man persuaded him to go into the hole to play. The man said that the black hole is the heaven of bad kids.

After the brave student went into the black hole, he never returned…

Just to add a note here: there are truly only 12 flights during the day, and the 13^th flights can only be seen at night; and by naughty kids only. So, all naughty kids must pay particular attention. It is no benefit to try ghost hunting because if you do try; chances are that you might become their friends.

The Legend Of Masakado (平将门的传说)

Tokyo in Japan has no less ghost stories due to a few centuries of war and unrest. There are many Japanese samurai being buried here and it is believed that many of them have become vengeful restless spirits. Many people still believe that these resentful spirits are still lingering amongst the streets of Tokyo. Amongst those spirits, the most famous one is Taira no Masakado (平將門) of the Heian period (around 10AD). Masakado is also being recognised as the first samurai in Japanese history.

Masakado was a small but very successful warlord during that time. He rebelled against the royal family in Kyoto and pronounced himself as the king of Kanto region. Masakado then proclaimed himself as the new emperor of Japan, raised his army and started rebellion. However, Masakado was defeated in today’s Saitama Prefecture. An arrow hit between Masakado’s eyebrows and he was being executed and beheaded. Masakado’s head was sent to Kyoto where it is displayed and celebrated.

Legend has it that the act of displaying Masakado’s head infuriated his spirit. Consequently, Masakado’s head flew over the Kyoto city and encircled in the air for a few days and then returned to Kanto region to look for his body. But because there were too many people being killed during the war, Masakado’s head failed in its attempt to reunite with his body and it finally fell onto the ground. The locals quickly cleaned this head, buried it and a monument is built. Today, this place is later known as the Hill of Masakado’s head.

Time passed and 1000 years later, this place where Masakado’s head was laid to rest originally a small fishing valley is now a metropolitan city: Tokyo. Apparently, this monument cum grave is the most priced area of Tokyo real estate. The place is only 5 minutes’ walk from the royal palace of Japan. 

Even after a thousand or so years, the fame of Masakado remains. The Japanese government tried to reallocate his shrine to Otemachi Station but none of the attempts were successful. Other than engineering and other technical issues, people attributed to the failure to the curse of Masakado causing the piece of land cannot be used.

Many places were destroyed during the disastrous Tokyo earthquake in 1923, the Tokyo finance minister hoped to flatten the hill of Masakado’s head and built a temporary office building nearby. However, within two years’ time, the finance minister together with 14 other staffs were either hurt in undue accidents or felt sick. At the same time other workers also suffered some degree of unaccountable injuries. In order to pacify the rage of Masakado, government officials held a worshipping ceremony prior to the reconstruction of the place. Now it has become an annual event as a remembrance to Masakado.

In 1940, lighting struck onto the building of finance ministry and a fire broke out and destroyed all the buildings on the hill of Masakado’s head. It was coincidentally the millennial anniversary of Masakado’s death. The finance ministry sponsored a special memorial service ceremony to pacify Masakado’s unceasingly wrath, a new monument was also built to express people’s sincerity.

After WWII following the defeat of Japan, American who had just conquered Tokyo were not superstitious, they tried to flatten Masakado’s shrine to build a military carpark. However, one bulldozer accidentally overturned and killed its operator. A series of accidents made local government officials to advise the Americans to cancel their original plans so that Masakado can rest-in-peace.

If you are in Tokyo, why not paying Masakado a visit and hear his side of the story?

Fated (天命)

Many people think that a magician can summon up a murdered soul and ask him/her concerning the murder case that has taken his/her life. I am sorry to say that this is not possible.

Normally, when a person is killed violently, its soul would lose its memory and it shall linger around where the murder case had taken place. During this time, this dead soul can’t even remember its own name and where it stayed during lifetime. So, it is certainly impossible for he/she to have remembered who took his/her life. This is the best time for a sorcerer to bind this dead soul as it behaves like a new born baby, and that it is easier to be trained. If the deceased’s relatives didn’t perform the soul calling ceremony (招魂), then there will be no chance for this lost soul to be delivered to the other side.

Some people let their love ones wear red clothing and holding scissors in their hands in the hope that the deceases can turn into vengeful ghosts and kill their murderers. Again, I am sorry to say that this is also not possible. First reason is mentioned above where this dead soul cannot remember who has taken its life. The second reason true to both cases is that even this dead soul has successfully transformed into a vengeful red shirt ghost and knows who is its killer; this ghost still cannot seek revenge.

I have tried to follow a murder case in my meditation but halted by the word: ‘fated’ (天命). Perhaps the Buddhists would call it the cause and effect (因果). No supernatural powers can break the barrier of karma; and that is certainly a full stop.

There certainly are cases where people with 6^th senses that can provide clues for the authority to apprehend those wrong doers, but such cases are extremely rare nowadays.

Maybe you would feel indignant when no justice can be done, I supposed this seemingly hopeless situation can be illustrated with Aunt Maryann’s story:

Aunt Maryann had a very good friend, Richard who disappeared for a few days and no one seemed to be able to find him. One night, Aunt Maryann had a dream. She dreamed of Richard came to Aunt Maryann that he was drowned in a small stream near Maxwell Hill. Richard further said that he was murdered and asked Aunt Maryann to help to look for his wallet which had fallen on the bank of the stream. Richard wanted Aunt Maryann to get his late wife’s photo from the wallet and burnt it together with some joss paper…

When Aunt Maryann woke up the next morning, the news of Richard’s body was indeed found on the said spot by some anglers. Then Aunt Maryann asked the investigating police officer to look for Richard’s wallet on a secluded area of the stream. That too was found by the police officer…

After Aunt Maryann gotten the photo Richard had asked for, she burnt the photo in front of Richard’s coffin in a funeral parlour where Richard’s body was temporary placed.

On that night, Aunt Maryann dreamed Richard again appear to her and thanked her for finding the photo he requested. According to Richard, now he can rest-in-peace together with his late wife. Then Aunt Maryann asked Richard who was his killer. Surprisingly Richard responded: “I cannot say.”

Of course, Aunt Maryann’s story is not the single case. My friends and I did some experimentations to call up some of those dead souls of murdered victims. Surprisingly speaking, most of those dead souls either sobbing or weeping sorrowfully and shook their heads. In fact, none of those ghosts; red shirt or otherwise have revealed the identity of their killers. Whatever reason these ghosts might have, maybe it is best for them just move on to the other side ASAP.

Borrowing Fates (借仙借运)

Borrowing fates is not some Chinese specific rituals meant to temporarily boost a person’s luck. Of course, the Chinese may be more detailed than others. Basically, there are two types of borrowing fate rituals: the first is the life foundation (生基) and the second is what the insiders call ‘borrowing fairies’ (借仙). When correctly done, with a good life foundation, a person can enjoy about 40 years of ‘new luck’. The problem is that with current rapid developments, it is exceedingly difficult to find a good place which would not be disturbed for 40 years.

In view of this, some sorcerers devised a ritual called ‘small foundation’ (小生基).  Instead of finding an actual auspicious location in mountain ranges, people’s personal effects are buried into an incense burner and this incense burner is put in the sorcerer’s altar. When incenses are burnt on the incense burner every day, then it is believed that the person’s luck would change as he indirectly absorbs the energy from those incense. Having said so, whatever this person absorbed would only be the contaminated chi of that particular altar.

Yet another type of fate borrowing ritual is known as ‘borrowing fairies’. This borrowing fairies’ ritual is similar to the Indonesian version of ‘khodam’ (servitor spirits). This practice is almost similar to spirit possession except that so-called ‘helpful’ spirits are consciously made to attach to a person; normally an artist to boost his/her luck in entertainment world generally speaking. I have seen similar service being offered in the West where jinn are bound to a person for almost anything; from luck to bravery etc.

This type of practices was once popular in Hong Kong around 80’s to 90’s. Of course, borrowing fairies is not a fool proved system. A so-called fairy is an entity of free will, when it is summoned to possess a person; it will change the personality of the host or causes the host to have a split personality. I have not done this type of ritual, but according to my Taoist master that there are many side effects.

Once, a lesser known actress known as Shirley came to my master to ask for borrowing fairy ritual to boost her luck. Shirley already had a fiancé at that time but after the fairy which was a fox spirit possessed Shirley, her character changed completely from a shy and conservative lady to an open minded and sexy woman. This abrupt change gave Shirley a temporal fame and a small fortune but she broke off with her fiancé for some seemingly trivial reasons.

When enquired, Shirley said that the fox spirit didn’t like her fiancé and it wanted Shirley to break off from the man. According to Shirley, her pet dogs would die very often for unknown reasons too just because the fox spirit hated dogs. Further, when Shirley’s young niece came for a short visit; black and green spots would appear on the little girl’s body as if being pinched by someone. Because of this issue, Shirley’s sister thought Shirley was abusing her child and they had a big fight.

Knowing her conditions were getting worse and that Shirley’s luck wasn’t anywhere better than before after a while, Shirley wanted her old life back. She finally revisited my master to request for the removal of the fox spirit. According to Shirley, it took her three attempts just to step into my master’s temple. She had car accidents during her first two attempts to visit my master. And it took 5 people to drag and push Shirley into the temple.

Luckily, the fox spirit was finally coaxed out from Shirley’s body and then it was then imprisoned in an earth urn for good. It is actually not easy to exorcise this type of spirits as they can read the mind of their hosts which made the detection of their presence difficult; and it is also especially hard to secure a person with split personality. The reason is that a lady who is seeking help could suddenly shout out as if being molested; then it would be a big problem with the master. This is the reason why I would shy away from treating spirit possession issues. My take is that it is better safe than sorry.

On the other hand, the Khodams invoked through specific rituals such as Tenaga Dalam etc. has the similar aspect as above The most notable effect is that the person would get angry very quickly sometimes unprovoked. If anyone who is practising jinn conjurations or khodam magic, and he/she finds difficult to control his/her emotions; then it is time to stop the practices and seek help.

Anata Ga Massaji? (你要按摩吗？)

Many people like to know how does a ghost feel like. Of course, you cannot find a standard answer out there. My own experience is that the texture of a ghost is extremely smooth. It is extremely soft but not as real as silk. Perhaps I would just put ghost’s texture in between a piece of soft silk and wind… and the ghosts do not feel cold at all! I think I am qualified to say this because I was kissed and even grabbed a ghostly hand of a Japanese phantom masseuse!

Last year, I was in Osaka visiting Yuko. The first night I put up with a hotel in the city alone as Yuko was busy with her work; she would join me the next night. So, after having dinner and a walk down the street; I sent Yuko back and returned to my hotel room.

In the dead of the night, I suddenly woke up and still sleepy, I saw a white orb the size of a ping pong ball came into the room through window. Slowly the orb stopped beside my bed and foggy substance gradually gathered around the orb and the shape of a lady in kimono appeared in front of me. After a while, the phantom lady spoken: “Anata ga massaji?”

Still in a dreamy state, I simply responded: “Hai…” and continued to sleep.

Then, I felt a pair of hands slowly touched my legs and then advanced upwards my thigh. Because too itchy and due to reflexes, I suddenly grabbed hold of the hands and they swiftly retracted from my grips. I couldn’t get a very good grip as the pair of hands were as slippery as an eel and mostly, they were boneless. As soon as I raised my head to get a clearer look, the masseuse was gone. Instead, a white orb was moving fast across the room and then exited through window.

I continued to fall into slumber and brushed it aside as just another bad dream.

Next night, Yuko came and stayed with me for the night.

In the middle of the night, I suddenly heard Yuko yelled: “Yeeek!”

And, I simply spoke without opening my eyes: “Don’t worry. It will be gone before dawn… Get some sleep. We have a plane to catch.”

The next morning, I saw Yuko wrapped herself with blanket shivering. So, I pulled away her blanket to ask to prepare herself for check out.

Still shivering, Yuko said: “Last night, I saw an old fashioned lady asking if I want to be massaged. In panic, I yelled. But you told me to continue to sleep. So I can only wrap myself with the blanket until morning…”

Of course, I couldn’t tell Yuko that I too have seen the ghostly Japanese lady she saw, and had some ‘intimate’ contact or else I wouldn’t be able to persuade her to travel with me to Malaysia!

So, you got it! Ghosts do have textures and they feel boneless and pretty smooth; and they are certainly not ‘cold’!

You Endangered Our Lives (你危害安全)

I like to travel to small towns around the northern regions and spend perhaps one or two days there to enjoy the unique foods and natural resources of each place. Since my travels are normally impromptu, finding places to stay can be a big problem.

One day, I got an urge to visit Pantai, which is a small fishing village in the state of Perak. I decided to stay two days there so I just tugged a piece of t-shirt and some personal effects and off I went to Pantai with my car. I contacted my pal, Khor but unfortunately due to school holidays; his spare room was taken by a visiting relative. And, all of the known lodging facilities were taken up by tourists flocking the small town. So, my last resort was either looking for a community hall or a family memorial shrine (宗祠).

Luckily, Khor knew someone and I was able to find a temporary shelter in Khor’s memorial shrine to spend a night. The person in charged led me to a small store room just beside the main memorial hall where hundreds of soul tablets were located. The store room used to be the rest room for long distance guests but since there weren’t too many visitors from a far, it was packed with other stuffs. In the centre of the store room was a long bench with some items stored beneath. I thought at least I could sleep on the long bench which was about 7 feet in length and 3 feet wide. So I thanked the person in charged and he reminded me to lock the door and passed him the key before I left the next morning.

Since the memorial shrine was a little gloomy and scary, I thought I would just go out early and return late at night to cut short my time in the store room. After a heavy seafood dinner, I returned to the memorial shrine around midnight. As soon as I washed myself and ascertained every door and window is properly shut, I jumped onto the long bench and laid flat face up.

After a while sleeping, in a dreamy state; I suddenly felt someone was standing beside me. I opened my eyes and saw a long-beard-grandpa in white stood by me. He said: “Young man, you have squeezed me so much that I couldn’t breathe!” The grandpa then used his hands to rub against his waist indicating that he wasn’t feeling very well with his waist.

Then a grandma in white appeared beside the grandpa. She said: “Young man, your legs are on my face.”

And then a mid-aged woman came forth and complaint: “Your buttock is facing me and you farted too frequently tonight… I cannot stand the farts.”

Another young man in white said: “Your sliver dripped onto my face…”

All of a sudden, the small store room seemed to be filled with angry folks. They pushed my body and I rolled off the long bench. As soon as my body landed hard onto the floor, all of the apparitions were gone. I switched on the light and found nothing around. And I inspected items stored under the bench and to my surprised, there were some soul tablets put right under the long bench. I decided it is better just to sleep on the floor for the rest of the night. And I experienced no more disturbances after that.

First thing in the morning, I bought some incense and food offerings for the spirit to console those good brothers and sisters I have offended. When I passed the keys back to the person in charge and asked him about the soul tablets I found below the bench. He scratched his head and replied: “Ah! Those are the tablets that I had taken down from the main altar due to roof repair work last year. I had totally forgotten about them; how did you find out?”

I smiled and said: “You wouldn’t believe me even if I told you!”

Flying Coffin (飞棺)

Nobody likes to talk about coffin as it is almost synonym with death.

A few weeks before my dad died, my bro and I returned to our old house to clean up since it had suffered much neglect with dad being hospitalised. As we were rearranging the sofas in the living room, my bro suddenly said he saw a flying coffin dropped into the centre of the room. And truly, soon the sad news of my dad’s death reached us. An imaginary coffin suddenly became as real as it can be.

Then last week, while I was talking to Aunt Lin at her house, she too told me that she saw a flying coffin with sad endings too.

Two years ago, Aunt Lin returned to Fujian to visit her elder sister, Fong. Since Fong was to celebrate her 90 years old birthday, Aunt Lin decided to stay back to make preparation for her sister’s birthday celebration. Fong was living in a small Fujian village, so they have to prepare all of the dishes by themselves. Luckily, village folks are very supportive; many people came and helped out.

On the night before Fong’s birthday, Aunt Lin was very tired. So, she leaned over a table and dozed off. In half sleepy and half awaken state, she saw a real size flying coffin flew into the living room and dropped right onto the centre of the room. This eerie scene gave Aunt Lin a shock and she screamed with horror. People around Aunt Lin came to her assist and asked what had happened.

Without too much thought, Aunt Lin said out loud what she saw. Of course, this inauspicious story was not too welcomed to the family yet to celebrate the big day. Noticing perhaps Aunt Lin had become local public enemy, she quickly kept her mouth shut because she didn’t want to spoilt Fong’s birthday happy mood.

Everything went on perfectly well, feasts were held and many villagers came to congratulate the birthday lady and Aunt Lin was almost sorry for having spoken the most inauspicious matter to all her relatives.

It was just after the dinner, as Fong was leaving the dining table; she suddenly collapsed onto the floor and became unconscious. She was subsequently rushed to the nearest hospital but pronounced dead on arrival…

 Now, Aunt Lin’s vision has materialised. Although the coffin didn’t literarily flow into the living room, it did appear in the room one day later. After Fong’s funeral, Aunt Lin quickly returned to Penang because she felt that she was not very welcomed there. Of course, I could only console Aunt Lin that such was a coincidence; further Fong was already 90 years old. With or without her strange vision of flying coffin, sooner or later; Fong would leave too. Maybe that was what I could say…