【 The Mountain Witch’s Revenge 】 Classic Japanese Ghost Story

In a Japanese folktale, a kind girl’s encounter with a benevolent Yamanba leads to tragic consequences, highlighting the clash between kindness and fear.

Japanese Title: Yamanba no shikaeshi / 山姥の仕返し
Translation: The Mountain Witch’s Revenge
Location / Origin: Unknown

Contents

The Story of 【 The Mountain Witch’s Revenge 】

In an old Japanese tale, a kind-hearted daughter worked in a secluded mountain area, making thread from the bark of wisteria trees.

One day, a Yamanba (mountain witch) appeared and, intrigued by the girl’s task, asked to try it. With her sharp claws, the Yamanba swiftly peeled the bark and wrapped it around her hand. She then thrust her hand into a fire, igniting the bark.

Despite the fire, the Yamanba wasn’t burnt; instead, she blew on the charred bark, producing a beautiful thread, which she kindly gave to the girl. In gratitude, the girl shared her rice ball lunch with the Yamanba, who joyfully accepted and promised to return the next day for more wisteria bark.

That night, the girl recounted the Yamanba’s kindness to her parents, who were terrified and convinced the Yamanba was tricking their daughter to take her to the mountains. Despite the girl’s assurance of the Yamanba’s goodness, her parents remained unconvinced.

The following day, as the Yamanba returned, the parents hid their daughter and greeted the Yamanba with fake warmth, offering her freshly made rice balls. Unbeknownst to the Yamanba, the rice balls were filled with hot stones instead of umeboshi (pickled plums).

The Yamanba swallowed the rice balls, crying out in pain from the heat. The parents then offered her oil, pretending it was water, which led to the Yamanba’s agonizing death.

The daughter, upon learning what her parents had done, was distraught over their cruel act towards the kind Yamanba and feared divine retribution. However, her parents, believing they had saved their daughter from being kidnapped, buried the Yamanba’s body in their yard and rejoiced.

Soon after, the previously healthy parents fell ill and died. The daughter, who survived, held funerals for both her parents and the Yamanba, and then left the village, never to be seen again.

The end.

Note

Cultural Background

Yamanba in Japanese Folklore

Yamanba, or mountain witches, are prominent in Japanese folklore. They are often depicted as fearsome, but this story presents a kinder version, challenging typical stereotypes.

Moral Lessons and Cultural Values

The story illustrates the themes of trust, kindness, and the tragic results of misunderstanding and unfounded fears, reflecting the complex nature of human relationships and perceptions.

Respect for Nature and Spirits

The tale underscores the traditional Japanese respect for nature and spiritual entities, symbolized by the Yamanba living in harmony with the natural world.

Glossary

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Yamanba (山姥)

A mythical figure in Japanese folklore, traditionally portrayed as an old woman living in the mountains, with supernatural abilities.

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Wisteria (藤)

A flowering plant with cultural significance in Japan, often associated with grace and longevity, used here symbolically in the Yamanba’s creation of thread.

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Umeboshi (梅干し)

Traditional Japanese salt-pickled plums, commonly used as a filling in rice balls (onigiri), known for their distinct sour taste.

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Irori (囲炉裏)

A traditional Japanese sunken hearth, serving as a central feature in old homes for cooking and gathering, representing warmth and hospitality.