Exploring the Mystique of Japan: The Profound World of ‘Kokkuri-san’

Japan has been home to numerous mystical traditions and cultures since ancient times. Among them, the game ‘Kokkuri-san’ gained popularity during the Meiji era and continues to be known by many people today.

This game involves participants using a coin to communicate with spiritual entities, as it’s believed.

The Origins of Kokkuri-san

The origins of ‘Kokkuri-san’ are said to trace back to the 15th-century European practice of table-turning, and it is believed to have been introduced to Japan in 1884 by American sailors in the Izu Peninsula of Shizuoka Prefecture.

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¥400 (2024/11/21 12:40:19時点 Amazon調べ-詳細)

How to Play Kokkuri-san

  1. Preparation: Prepare a sheet of paper with the alphabet, numbers, and the words ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ written on it, and place a coin on top.
  2. Positioning Participants: Participants sit around the table and lightly place their fingers on the coin.
  3. Asking Questions: Chanting ‘Kokkuri-san, Kokkuri-san, hello,’ participants pose questions to the spiritual entities.
  4. Observing the Coin: Interpret the messages from the spirits through the movement of the coin.
  5. Ending the Game: Chant ‘Kokkuri-san, Kokkuri-san, goodbye’ to end the game and remove the coin from the paper.

Examples of Questions

When asking questions in Kokkuri-san, it’s recommended to pose simple and clear questions. Below are examples of questions:

  • Basic questions: ‘Kokkuri-san, Kokkuri-san, are you here?’
  • Questions about the future: ‘Kokkuri-san, Kokkuri-san, what will the weather be like next week?’
  • Questions about the past or present: ‘Kokkuri-san, Kokkuri-san, does my family love me?’
  • Light-hearted questions: ‘Kokkuri-san, Kokkuri-san, what food do you recommend?’
  • Closing question: ‘Kokkuri-san, Kokkuri-san, goodbye.’

The Allure of Kokkuri-san

Kokkuri-san stimulates human curiosity towards the unknown world, offering a mysterious experience.

Also, playing in a group fosters social connections while providing opportunities to share moments of new discoveries and surprises.

Precautions

‘Kokkuri-san’ is meant for entertainment purposes and has the potential to cause psychological effects or fear. It does not provide actual spiritual communication, so participants need to exercise caution.

‘Kokkuri-san’ reflects the mystical traditions of Japan, offering a unique game to make time with friends and family special.

However, it’s crucial to be mentally prepared and understand its nature as entertainment when participating.