The Ghost In My Machine

Stories of the Strange and Unusual

The Most Dangerous Games: Japanese New Year Ritual

by

Previously: Dry Bones. 

Technically I should probably put this one in quotation marks — “Japanese New Year Ritual” — because I haven’t been able to confirm that it actually is a Japanese New Year ritual and not just a creepypasta (possibly written by someone who isn’t actually Japanese) masquerading as one. Besides the fact that I’ve only been able to find this one on creepypasta sites and places like Wattpad, the thing that kind of makes me think it’s more creepypasta and less ancient mythology is how it deals with food. I’m by no means an expert, but from what I’ve read, food factors prominently in Japanese New Year celebrations — traditional dishes and a whole lot of mochi are typically eaten in the days leading up to the ringing in of the new year. This “ritual,” however, does the opposite — it instructs players to fast, which seems at odds with everything else I’ve read.

But then again, maybe that’s the point.

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As always, play at your own risk.

Players:

  • One principal.

Requirements:

  • A basket or other container.
  • Fruit: One pineapple, three bananas, two apples, and 30 grapes. Nothing more, nothing less.
  • A timekeeping device. It must be as accurate as possible.
  • Something sharp.
  • A forest with a clearing.
  • Anything you require to start a fire.

Instructions:

The Preparation:

  1. Begin when the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31.
  2. Close all of your curtains.
  3. For 24 hours, do not eat anything. Do not drink anything. Do not sleep. Do not go outside.
  4. Two hours before the arrival of the year, prepare a fruit basket. Place within your basket: One pineapple, three bananas, two apples, and 30 grapes. There you should now be 36 pieces of fruit in the basket. Do not miscount.
  5. With your sharp object, cut your hand. Anoint each piece of fruit with a drop of your blood. Do not miss any. Do not close your eyes. Do not dress your wound.

The Conversation:

  1. At midnight, take your basket of fruit and your fire-making tools and go to the nearest forest.
  2. Walk deep into the forest until you find a clearing.
  3. Build a fire. Sit by it. Place the basket of fruit in front of you. Do not let the fire go out. Do not move unless the action you are taking is to ensure that the fire does not go out.
    • If no one approaches you from the forest: The ritual has failed. Do not proceed.
    • If a figure approaches you from the forest: You may proceed.
  4. The figure will make eye contact with you. Do not break it.
  5. Do not scream.
  6. Do not run away.
  7. Do not speak.
  8. After you have proven your bravery, the figure will begin to eat the fruit. Continue to maintain eye contact. Do not break it.
  9. If you have made it this far, the figure will ask you a question once it has finished eating: “What would you like to know?”
  10. Tell him. Do not look away.
  11. He will give you your answer. And then he will walk away.
  12. Do not look away until he has vanished from view.

The Awakening;

  1. Go to sleep. (You will not actually have to actively follow this step; you will simply drop off, whether you want to or not.)
  2. When you awaken, you will be in your own bed, newfound knowledge in mind.

Concerning the Figure from the Forest:

He will be very thin and very tall. His eyes will be large and black. His mouth will be wide, and his teeth sharp. He will not be wearing any clothing. He will not be wearing any expression on his face.

He is called the Wise One. Treat him with the respect he deserves.

He doesn’t take kindly to those who disrespect him.

When Asking What You Would Like To Know:

Choose your words carefully. You may ask anything you like, from how long your life will be to what you’ll have for breakfast in the morning. But ask one question and one question only. Do not be greedy.

And Know This:

Whatever you ask?

Make sure you really want to know.

Once you have gained the knowledge, you can never go back, no matter how much you might wish to.

Knowledge is power…

…But it can also spell out your ruin.

***

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[Photo via Kathleen Tyler Conklin/Flickr] 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Why can’t I eat or drink anything for 24 hours??? I can starve myself but not drinking anything for 24 hours will cause severe dehydration. I don’t think anyone could be conscious enough to follow the ritual properly when they are too exhausted.

    Reply

  3. I was wondering something, except for those games (such as Daruma-san) which are very clear about saying some sentences in specific languages, is it ok if I perform the ritual saying the sentences in my native tongue? I can’t see why here I’d have to talk to the Wise One in English, for example.

    Love your blog, btw.

    Reply

    • I don’t see why not. He’ll probably recognize your native language and speak whatever your speaking.

      Reply

  5. What happens if you ask him a question and he doesn’t give you an answer? Do you abort the ritual or does he just kill you?

    Reply

    • The question is either too dangerous for anyone to know or the question is meaningless and is not important to you. No idea for sure what happens if he doesn’t answer your question, but it probably won’t be good.

      Reply

  7. Hmmm… I think maybe if he doesn’t answer, give him a minute. He may be thinking. But if not, it was nice knowing ya.

    Reply

  9. Erm, quick question. When the wise one apears, can you do a friendly wave, or even a little hello? I think that would show a little more respect than just sitting there and shutting up.

    Reply

    • I wouldn’t. He may think that you treat him like a kid by saying “hello”. I would eitheir take a bow or do nothing.

      Reply

  11. Fucking god. I have got way too many questions to choose from. No actual proper one to ask.. What is the meaning of everything? Are we all living in a fictional, simulative world, controlled by something like extra-dimensional beings, or even our future selves? Is the multiversal space theory a fact, and do parrarel to our verse’s universes and alternate timelines really exist? Is there any way I can possess, or train, excercise some kind of supernatural powers like telekinesis or magical abilities, hidden deep inside of my soul? … Does god exist?

    Reply

    • Don’t worry, there are many question answering spirit’s on this site, like the raven man. Not just this one.

      Then again, like Lucia said in one of the FAQs, it really isn’t healthy for you (as in healthy for your own SOUL) to do these games very often.

      Reply

      • Also like she said, “Whatever you ask? Make sure you really want to know.
        Once you have gained the knowledge, you can never go back, no matter how much you might wish to.
        Knowledge is power…
        …But it can also spell out your ruin.”

        Reply

    • You won’t like it ,He WILL kill you.It’s considered rude to break eye contact with someone in a conversation.But in this case conversation or not ,it’s rude to break eye contact with someone . You might offend him or make him think you hate him because of his appearance or whatever.Just DON’T do it.And if you have a very short attention span or tend to move your eyes around very often and can’t focus on one thing,DON’T attempt this game.You have no chance of surviving.

      Reply

    • A desert is not a forest.

      Neither is an abandoned golf course. The instructions call specifically for a forest with a clearing. A desert lacks vegetation almost completely, and a golf course usually has more than one area involved and is not its own little area.

      Reply

    • The ritual will most likely not work, because it requires specifics in order to go through, so I suggest you be thorough with your countings.

      Reply

  15. Can/Should you say thank you after the Wise One answers your question and starts to leave? Or would it be better to just not say anything? Because idk, it seems like it’d be respectful to thank him for his knowledge, but at the same time it might be better to just not say anything.

    Reply

    • Probably 30 individual grapes. 30 bunches would take ages to eat, unless the Wise One has a huge mouth. Oh wait, it says his mouth is very wide. Well… I have no idea.

      No but seriously probably individual grapes.

      Reply

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