I believe in the existence of ghosts. Have you experienced that a power of the TV you surely had turned off turned on suddenly again? Have you ever had sleep paralysis before? They may be because of ghosts. In this essay, I explain the possibility of ghosts, giving a mysterious experience and a perspective of people on ghosts in Japan.
First, I talk about my strange experience in former days.
My friend lives on the 12th floor of a high-rise apartment. That was when I visited his apartment. I got into an elevator and pressed a button of 12 to go to his room. Then the 9th button lighted. I thought that someone was going to get into the elevator at the 6th floor. But I found out something terrible and quickly pressed all buttons of 3 to 8. I got out of the elevator immediately after it stopped the 4th floor, ran down the stairs and went outside. What was terrible in this story? Because the button of 9 doesn’t light unless someone presses the button inside the elevator, there was someone in the elevator besides me. I felt cold and uncomfortable at that time. I don’t know there was an accident in the past but I think that was caused by ghosts.
Next, I talk about a curse. Have you seen people making a noise in a grave? No, I have not. It is because they are afraid of a curse by a dead person and think they should not approach a place such as a grave and a house where the owner was killed. We have known the curse as “tatari” since we were children. Tatari has existed from ancient times in Japan. In Heian period, Michizane Sugawara, a noble who was defeated in political strifes, was demoted to a remote area and died there. After his death, a thunderbolt struck at Kyoto where he had worked. It is said the accident occurred because of Michizane’s tatari. Tatari have taken root in Japanese people, handing down to descendants and others. So we unconsciously recognize the power of ghosts.
My experience may be due to a malfunction of the elevator. Tatari may be an absurd superstition. However, I felt fears at the moment and people keep away from a spot related to death of person. In conclusion, I think the feeling and the act come from recognition of ghosts. I have not seen ghosts but I believe in them.