Okiku

She would count the plates: “One… Two… Three… Four… Five… Six… Seven… Eight… Nine…” After counting the ninth plate, she would let out a blood curdling scream that could be heard throughout the castle. She tormented Aoyama in this way, every night, robbing him of his rest. Those who heard part of Okiku’s counting became very sick. Those unlucky enough to hear her count all the way to nine died shortly after. Finally, the lord of the castle decided that something had to be done about Okiku’s ghost. He called a priest, and asked him to pray for her and exercise her spirit. The priest waited in the garden all night, chanting suttras. One again, Okiku’s ghost rose out of the well. She began to count the dishes: “One… Two… Three… Four… Five… Six… Seven… Eight… Nine…” As soon as Okiku counted the ninth dish, and before she could scream, the priest shouted out: “Ten!” Okiku’s ghost appeared relieved that someone had found the missing dish. From then on, she never haunted the castle again.