The Most Dangerous Games: The White Kimono Game

Previously: Sever the Cord. 

The ritual game known as the White Kimono Game reminds me a little bit of the Corner Game  in that they both utilize the four corners of a room to summon a spirit; the difference is that the White Kimono Game is a single-player game, so if you’ve been having trouble finding folks willing to try the Corner Game with you, this one is a reasonable alternative. Admittedly I’m not totally sure why you’d want to summon the spirits described in either game, as you don’t seem to get anything out of it other than bragging rights if you survive… but maybe that’s the point. Remember that whole tempting fate thing? I suspect it comes down — yet again — to that.

For the curious, the particular kind of white kimono Japanese ghosts are often depicted wearing is called a kyōkatabira. It’s basically a funeral shroud — the kimono in which people’s earthly remains are wrapped before burial. In Buddhism, it’s part of something called the shinishozoku (“the costume for one going to death,” according to Zack Davisson of the Japanese folklore site Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai); the full shinishozoku consists of the kyōkatabir, a triangle-shaped headband, a zutabukuro (small bag) containing the fee for passage across the Sanzu River (the river of the dead), a walking stick, arm, leg, and back coverings, and prayer beads.

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I haven’t been able to find a satisfactory translation of the summoning chant, so unfortunately I can’t tell you what it means. According to Scary for Kids, the original Japanese for it is apparently おんべいろきゃましろにそわか — if anyone out there is handy at translations, feel free to drop a comment.

As always, play at your own risk.

Players:

• One principal.

Requirements:

• A dark room with precisely four corners — no more, no less. The curtains should be drawn, and all sources of exterior light pollution should be eliminated.
• A light source with an easy-to-operate switch.
• A compass. Optional, but recommended if your sense of direction is somewhat lacking.

Instructions:

The Invitation:

1. Begin after midnight. Between two and three o’clock in the morning is suggested.
2. Go to your room, close the door, and lie down on your back. The lights should be on, but arranged such that they will be easy to turn off from your current position. (A small lamp positioned near your location of repose is ideal.) Your gaze should be focused on the ceiling.
3. Turn your gaze to the northernmost corner of the room.
4. Shift your gaze to the westernmost corner of the room.
5. Shift your gaze to the southernmost corner of the room.
6. Shift your gaze to the easternmost corner of the room.
7. Repeat Steps 3 through 6 two more times, gazing at each corner in turn, moving counterclockwise, for a total of three circuits around the room.
8. Cross your arms on your chest.
9. Repeat the following words three times: “On be iroki yamashironi sowaka.”
10. In your mind’s eye, picture a woman. She has long black hair, and she is dressed in a white kimono — or at least, it would be white, if it weren’t for the fact that it is heavily stained. The stain is red, a rusty red that invites terrible thoughts.
11. She is walking towards you.
12. She is still walking towards you.
13. She is getting closer.
14. She is very close.
15. She is right before you.
16. Uncross your arms.
17. Turn off the lights.
18. Go to sleep.

The Dream:

1. If you see the woman in your dream, the invitation was successful. You may appreciate her presence; however, DO NOT:
   • Speak to her.
   • Tell her your name.
   • Let her whisper anything in your ear.
2. If she begins whispering in your ear: Wake up immediately. Shaking your right hand in your dream is recommended; however, if you are skilled at lucid dreaming, you may use whichever method for waking yourself up you find to be the most effective.

The Awakening:

1. Upon waking, examine the corners of the room. Do you see a shadow lurking in any of them? A shadow which should not be there?
2. No? Then you are safe.
3. Do not attempt this ritual again.

Additional Notes:

It is recommended that all players develop skills in lucid dreaming before attempting this ritual. Resources may be found below:

• How Can You Control Your Dreams?
• The Ways To Control Dreaming
• What It’s Like To Be An Expert Lucid Dreamer
• Four Techniques
• How To Lucid Dream
• Lucid Dreamers Discuss Techniques
• Lucid Dreaming Community

If You See A Shadow In The Room Upon Waking:

Turn the lights on immediately. Do not allow yourself to be alone in the dark again. Ever.

If You Are Unable To Wake Yourself Up:

I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.

The White Kimono Game: FAQ.

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[Photo via CecilJames/Pixabay, remixed by Lucia Peters]