• The cry of Nanami •

The cry of Nanami

The following story is set in the century XIX, Meiji era of Japan, and in the ancient capital of the nation: Kyoto. It was on April 12th, 1872, the village north of the Kiyomizu-dera Temple (pure water) was shocked by the arrival of the great festival that heralded the return of the Great Hand of Buddha, a kind of sacrifice made to Buddha with The purpose of which he would heal the sick men and women of the town, and help the development of the same.

Every three years this great event was held, attended by citizens from all districts near the temple. In the event a traditional Japanese dance was performed in honor of Katsumi, a former priestess who for many years devoted herself body and soul to that temple. That year, the ceremonial dance would be performed by Nanami Ueda, a sixteen year old girl whose family had dedicated to religion from an early age. Nanami did not hesitate when referring to religion. She was an exemplary young lady, had the dedication to work, was a loving and respectful daughter, for anyone Miss Ueda was a daughter prodigy. Its sweetness and its beauty so shocking were able to attract any man, nevertheless those of the region were old or adults who appreciated it and they saw it like seeing its own daughters.

That same year a new monk was to replace the late Yamada monk in the prayers and to offer the welcome to the believers. He did not know Nanami, until they presented them the very afternoon of the ceremony, where the young Ueda showed him the dance to verify that there were no errors or details that should be polished. The beauty of Nanami while performing the dance so slowly and harmoniously seduced that monk, and after hours of conversation with her, he took her to an empty room, just where he slept. Nanami did not know why he had taken her there, but without replying, with a blinding confidence in the man's word, he decided to remain still and listen to what he said, the thousand and one flattery he was doing. Nanami began to feel uncomfortable and asked to retire, however he ignored his requests, and held her tight. Nanami called for help with a cry of horror, but no one came. The man took an old vase and broke it in the young woman's head, while holding and abusing her. The blow was ceremonially deadly, once it ended its ruthless act, buried it in the garden of the temple.

Nanami's parents went crazy after hearing that her daughter had disappeared without a trace. The event was suspended and there was only a deep air of sadness, and every three years, just on April 16th, the day of the ceremony, young people, adults and olders ensure they had seen the translucent silhouette of a young woman wandering the garden and when you try to approach her gives an effusive scream that bristles the hairs and leaves you astonished. According to other rumors the spirit of Nanami madden the monks that arrive at the temple and it dances to them with a face so devilish that it frightens them immediately. Those who have seen her say that she is wearing the same outfit she would dance with and her hair well adorned with cherry blossoms looks a dark red shadow from the blood she shed.

I hope do you like the story! :'3