Teke Teke

-

In Japanese urban legends, there's a chilling tale about a vengeful spirit known as "Teke Teke." This spectral figure is said to be the ghost of a young woman who met a tragic fate and now haunts the streets and schoolyards of Japan, especially at night.

The legend of Teke Teke varies in different retellings, but one common version goes like this:

Long ago, in a small town in Japan, a young woman fell onto the train tracks while waiting at a station. Unable to escape in time, she was tragically cut in half by an oncoming train. Her spirit, consumed by anger and despair, refused to move on to the afterlife. Instead, she returned as a vengeful ghost known as Teke Teke.

The name "Teke Teke" is derived from the sound the ghost makes as she drags herself along the ground using her arms, mimicking the sound of her own name. According to the legend, Teke Teke appears as a spectral, upper body with long, bony arms, her hair obscuring her face. She wears a white burial kimono, stained with blood and dirt.

Teke Teke is said to roam the streets, especially around schoolyards and train stations, seeking revenge on anyone she encounters. She moves with terrifying speed, chasing after her victims and slashing them with a scythe, often leaving them gruesomely sliced in half, mimicking her own tragic fate.

The only way to escape Teke Teke's wrath is to outrun her. If someone is unfortunate enough to encounter her, they must quickly flee and find a crowded area or a building to seek refuge. Supposedly, she is unable to enter confined spaces, giving potential victims a slim chance of survival.

The legend of Teke Teke has become a popular ghost story in Japan, often told among schoolchildren to send shivers down their spines during sleepovers or camping trips. While its origins are unclear, the story of Teke Teke taps into universal fears of vengeful spirits and serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of train tracks and the importance of being cautious near them.

As with many folklore tales, the Teke Teke legend serves as a cultural expression of societal anxieties and warnings, reminding people to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings, especially in potentially dangerous situations.

Another interesting aspect of the Teke Teke legend in Japan is its association with the Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai, which translates to the "Gathering of One Hundred Supernatural Tales." This was a traditional Japanese storytelling game played during the Edo period (17th to 19th century).

During the Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai, participants would gather in a dark room illuminated only by a hundred candles. They would take turns telling ghost stories, each time extinguishing a candle after sharing a tale. As the room grew darker with each story, the tension and fear among the participants would intensify.

The Teke Teke legend became a popular choice for storytelling during the Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai due to its eerie and chilling nature. As each storyteller recounted the tale of Teke Teke, the atmosphere in the room would become more unsettling, and the anticipation of her appearance would grow.

Once the last candle was extinguished, participants would then use a mirror to search for signs of Teke Teke's presence. According to the legend, if one were to look into the mirror and call out "Teke Teke" three times, her ghostly figure might appear behind them, potentially sending a shiver down their spine.

The Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai was not only a form of entertainment but also a way for people to share and experience the thrill of ghost stories in a communal setting. It reflected the cultural fascination with supernatural tales and the tradition of passing down spooky legends from one generation to the next.

The Teke Teke story's inclusion in the Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai further demonstrates its enduring impact on Japanese folklore and its ability to captivate and terrify audiences through generations. It's a testament to the power of storytelling and the cultural significance of supernatural tales in Japan.