Himeji Castle · The Sound of Plates at the Bottom of the Well

Himeji Castle, all white walls, is known as the White Heron Castle; what it is really known for is the tale of Banshu Sarayashiki.

A servant in the castle, Okiku, was accused of stealing one plate from a treasured set and threw herself into a well. Night after night someone is heard counting plates at the bottom of it: one, two… at the ninth the counting stops, and then there is a sob.

The local rule is not to go near that well at night. The one counting knows as well as anyone that the set cannot be completed.

Folklore / Himeji · Japan / Edo period