『四谷怪談』の「お岩さん」は日本で最も有名な怪談です。 夫に裏切られたお岩が幽霊となって復讐する悲劇の物語。(English) "Oiwa-san" in "Yotsuya Kaidan" is Japan's most famous ghost story. In this tragic story, Oiwa, who her husband betrayed, becomes a ghost and takes her revenge.

The synopsis of Yotsuya Kaidan Oiwa-san was utterly different from the real Oiwa-san!? - Read classic ghost stories

//Summary- Level-C2//

"Yotsuya Kaidan(=Ghost story)" is Japan's most famous ghost story, featuring Oiwa, a betrayed wife who becomes a vengeful ghost. The tale believed to originate from the novel "Yotsuya North Valley Stories", has been popular since the Edo period. The story in "Yotsuya Kaidan(=Ghost story)" depicts Oiwa as an ill, unattractive woman deceived into marriage, later abandoned by her husband. And he married another woman soon. After learning of his deceit, Oiwa disappears, and her curse brings misfortune to his family. In reality, Oiwa was a supportive wife and mother, and the shrine dedicated to her was visited for good luck.

1)

What about Oiwa-san?

"Oiwa-san" in "Yotsuya Kaidan" is Japan's most famous ghost story. In this tragic story, Oiwa, who her husband betrayed, becomes a ghost and takes her revenge.

It has captured people's hearts from the Edo period to today.

It is said that if you treat "Oiwa-san" lightly, you will be cursed. Even in modern times, when "Oiwa-san" is used as a theme, people pray for safety.

"Oiwa-san" has long attracted the attention of the public. There have been many variations of ghost stories, but the origin of ghost stories is still unclear.

There are various theories about the origin of "Oiwa-san." However, it is likely based on a novel called "Yotsuya North Valley Stories".

Namboku Tsuruya, who wrote "Tokaido Yotsuya Kaidan", is the most well-known story of "Oiwa-san". It is said that he was referring to a work called "Yotsuya North Valley Stories".

We don't know the exact truth yet, but it seems that the roots of Oiwa-san are there.

2)

Summary of  Oiwa in "Yotsuya Kaidan"

Since "Oiwa-san" is famous as the subject of work, various stories have been made. I want to introduce the synopsis of "Oiwa-san" drawn in "Yotsuya Kaidan".

3)

Synopsis of "Yotsuya Kaidan"

In the Genroku era, Matazaemon Tamiya, a low-ranking official in Yotsuya, had a daughter named Oiwa, who had poor eyesight.

Matazaemon wanted Oiwa to adopt a boy and retire. However, "Oiwa-san" became ill, and her skin started peeling off, making her look ugly.

A few years later, Matazaemon died - his family searched for Oiwa's husband. But no one would marry her because of her appearance.

So the family hired someone who spoke well. In other words, she deceived a man named Iemon into thinking he was her husband.

Iemon was astonished when he heard about Oiwa's appearance. But he couldn't say no anymore. He put up with it for a while but gradually hated the ugly Oiwa.

4)

At this time, Iemon visits his boss's house, Kihei Ito. He met Kihei's wife, Ohana, and the two became lovers there.

Ohana is pregnant with Kihei's child. Kihei was also old and wanted someone to care for Ohana. So he asked Iemon to take care of them.

It was an excellent offer for Iemon, but Iemon had a wife named Oiwa. So Iemon and Kihei conspired and devised a plan to make Oiwa say goodbye.

5)

After that, Iemon became addicted to sake and violently attacked Oiwa. And he sold his property, bought a woman and did evil deeds.

Oiwa was sad about Iemon, who had suddenly become a different person. Kihei advised her to divorce Iemon.

Kihei and Iemon's trick worked, and they finally got divorced. And "Oiwa" left home and decided to serve the vassals. After leaving Oiwa, Iemon immediately married Ohana.

6)

On the other hand, a person named Mosuke came to see "Oiwa", who was looking for an apprentice. Mosuke told Oiwa that Iemon had married Hana and that Kihei and Iemon were plotting to make Oiwa leave him.

When Oiwa heard the story, he became furious and suddenly ran away. Afterwards, a search was made for Oiwa, but she was never found.

7)

On the other hand, Iemon had four children and lived a happy life. However, their happiness ends when a woman who looks like "Oiwa" appears one summer night and calls them "Iemon, Iemon".

Misfortune followed, including the mysterious deaths of the children. Fearing that Oiwa would curse him, Iemon desperately prayed at the temple. But the curse did not lift, and the Tamiya family was cut off. The family of Kihei Ito, who had conspired with Iemon, was also wiped out.

8)

One day, while Iemon was repairing the roof, he accidentally fell and became immobile.

Many rats swarmed in the pus from the wound on his theme. As a result, Iemon was put in a mouse-proof box.

9)

Did "Oiwa-san" exist?

Now I'm curious, did "Oiwa-san" really exist? That's the question.

"Yotsuya Kaidan" is a fiction created for the masses, but it is said that the person who became the model for the story existed.

"Oiwa-san" is the daughter of a samurai who existed in the 17th century. She was on good terms with her husband, Iemon, and it is said that she devotedly supported her husband in his efforts to restore the Tamiya family.

The shrine where "Oiwa-san" worshipped during her lifetime is called "Oiwa Inari". It is said that many people believed it would bring good luck.

Although its name has changed, it is now called "Yotsuya Oiwa Inaritamiya Shrine".

10)

In the Edo period, a series of accidents occurred during a lecture on "Yotsuya Kaidan". Rumours spread that it was the curse of Oiwa-san.

Even today, people involved in Kabuki theatre visit the shrine before giving a lecture on "Yotsuya Kaidan".

In reality, Miss Iwa was a good wife and a wise mother. However, because of the "Yotsuya Kaidan" story, the shrine is also becoming popular as a place to break up.

It's an old story, so I'm unsure if it's true. However, "Yotsuya Kaidan" is a creation that borrowed the name of "Oiwa-san".

So let's assume that the real "Oiwa-san" is someone else.

11)

In conclusion

Even if you know Mr Oiwa's name, there must be many people who don't know the details of the story.

It is a surprising fact that Oiwa exists. Moreover, she is a good wife and a wise mother, and many people probably don't know that the story is dramatised in "Yotsuya Kaidan".

If you look up the classic ghost stories again, you will find exciting stories like this, so please check out other stories.

The synopsis of Yotsuya Kaidan Oiwa-san was utterly different from the real Oiwa-san!? - Read classic ghost stories

https://kyofu.takeshobo.co.jp/news/column/koten-kaidan/1223/

Add info)

Speaking of Japan's three significant ghosts, "Oiwa-san" from "Yotsuya Kaidan" mentioned in this article, "Okiku-san" from Bancho Sarayashiki, and "Otsuyu-san" from Botan Lantern are famous. Oiwa is probably the most well-known of Japan's three major ghosts.

Synopsis of Bancho Sarayashiki and Banshu Sarayashiki (Okiku-san)

https://kyofu.takeshobo.co.jp/news/column/koten-kaidan/1847/

Synopsis of Peony Lantern

https://kyofu.takeshobo.co.jp/news/column/koten-kaidan/1837/

//Postscript//

The relationship between Oiwa and her husband is very Japanese.

In Japanese society, it isn't easy to express one's honest feelings face-to-face.

At first glance, it tries not to criticise or fight so as not to hurt, but in the end, it can end up being much worse.

It is a very Japanese attitude that exists in modern Japanese society.

I wouldn't say I like unproductive relationships like that.

Because I think we need to share wisdom to create better relationships.

Unfortunately, some Japanese customers never tell us what's wrong, unlike some foreign customers.

Therefore, we must always provide a high-quality service with more attention to detail.