Japan: The Hitodama Oroshiya or 'Russian Fireball' . From the Kaikidan Ekotoba Monster Scroll, mid-19th century.

During heavy winds the Russian hitodama, a fiery apparition composed of spirits of the recently departed, can be heard to say, "Oroshiya, oroshiya" ("Let me down"). There is speculation that the author dreamed up the creature based on a play on words as 'oroshiya' sounds like the old Japanese pronunciation of 'Russia'. The Kaikidan Ekotoba is a mid-19th century handscroll that profiles 33 legendary monsters and human oddities, mostly from the Kyushu region of Japan, but with several from other countries, including China, Russia and Korea. The document, whose author is unknown, is in the possession of the Fukuoka City Museum.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Pictures From History

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JAPANESE GHOSTS