One well - known Japanese children's ghost story is 'Kuchisake - Onna'. It's about a woman with a slit mouth who asks if you think she's pretty. Another is 'Teke Teke', the story of a girl who was cut in half by a train and now haunts railway tracks. And 'Hanako - san of the Toilet' is also popular, where a girl named Hanako is said to haunt school bathrooms.
A popular Japanese children's ghost story is 'Kappa'. Kappa are water - dwelling spirits. In some stories, they interact with children in rather menacing ways. They are often depicted as small, green - ish creatures with a dish - like head. Another one is 'Aka Manto', the red - cape ghost in school bathrooms. If you choose the wrong color of paper when in the toilet, he might come after you. These stories are part of Japan's rich folklore tradition.
A very well - known Japanese ghost story is 'The Black Hair'. It tells the story of a man who leaves his wife for a new love, only to find that his new relationship is haunted by the long black hair of his ex - wife. Another famous one is 'The Red Demon'. This demon is often associated with fire and destruction. In Japanese folklore, it is feared for its power. There is also the story of 'The Ghost of Oiwa'. Oiwa was a wronged woman, and her vengeful spirit is said to bring misfortune to those who cross her path.
One well - known Japanese scissor ghost story is about a vengeful spirit that wields a pair of large, sharp scissors. The ghost is often said to haunt old houses or places where a tragic event occurred. It is believed to use the scissors to cut the hair of its victims as a form of torture or warning.
One famous Japanese ancient ghost story is 'Yotsuya Kaidan'. It's about a woman named Oiwa who was poisoned and disfigured by her unfaithful husband. Her vengeful spirit haunts those who wronged her. Another is 'Bakeneko', stories of cat spirits that can transform into human - like forms, often causing mischief or harm in the household.
The Teke - Teke is also well - known. It's about a schoolgirl who was hit by a train and cut in half. Now she haunts railway tracks and uses her hands to drag her upper body around, making a 'teke - teke' sound as she moves. These stories often reflect cultural fears and superstitions in Japanese urban areas.
There's also 'School - Live!', which at first seems like a normal school anime but then reveals some ghostly and disturbing elements. The anime does a great job of building tension and mystery around the idea of a school filled with the undead. It shows how the characters cope with this terrifying situation.
One well - known Japanese school ghost story is about the Hanako - san in the school bathroom. It is said that if you knock on the third stall in the girls' bathroom three times and call 'Hanako - san', a spirit will appear. Another is the story of the faceless teacher. Legend has it that a teacher with no face roams the school hallways at night.
A classic ghost children story is 'The Little Match Girl'. Although it may not be a typical 'scary' ghost story, the little girl who freezes to death on the street and then appears as a vision can be seen in a way as a ghost - like presence. Also, some local folklore might have stories of ghost children. For example, in some European villages, there are tales of children who died in tragic circumstances and their spirits are said to haunt certain places like old mansions or abandoned schools.
One famous ghost children story is 'The Orphanage'. It's about a woman who returns to the orphanage where she grew up to reopen it for disabled children. Strange things start to happen, and she discovers the presence of some ghostly children. Another is 'The Others', where a mother and her two photosensitive children live in a secluded house and start to experience paranormal events that seem related to the presence of otherworldly children.
I think 'Yuki - onna' is one of the most famous. It has been told for generations and has even been adapted into various forms of media like movies and anime. The image of the cold and beautiful Snow Woman is very iconic in Japanese ghost lore.