地縛霊 (jibakurei), which refers to ghosts bound to specific physical locations, usually where their death occurred.
These spirits are unable to accept their own demise or understand that they have passed away.
As a result, they remain tethered to the land or buildings where they died.
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What is Jibakurei?
The term "地縛霊" was coined by the Japanese spiritualist 中岡俊哉 (Shunya Nakoka) during Japan's spiritualism boom.
It has since become part of the lexicon, even appearing in some Japanese dictionaries.
In Western terminology, these spirits are often referred to as "residual hauntings" or "restligeists."
Characteristics of Jibakurei
Jibakurei exhibit several common traits:
- Unresolved Death: Those who die suddenly due to war, accidents, or disasters often struggle to accept their own demise. Their inability to come to terms with death keeps them bound to the earthly realm.
- Lingering Emotions: Spirits who harbor intense feelings of resentment or hatred may find themselves trapped as jibakurei. These negative emotions hinder their transition to the afterlife.
- Suicidal Spirits: Even suicide victims, who believed they had died, may realize they are still among the living and attempt suicide repeatedly.
- Lack of Self-Awareness: These spirits remain earthbound until they achieve "death awareness." This process can take months, years, or even centuries.
Residual Hauntings
In Western contexts, residual hauntings closely resemble jibakurei.
Specific locations become like replayed video tapes, featuring eerie phenomena associated with particular individuals.
The haunting sounds and inexplicable occurrences repeat endlessly.
Conclusion
地縛霊 (jibakurei) continue to captivate our imaginations and inspire tales of the supernatural.
Whether bound by unresolved emotions or lingering attachments, these spirits remind us that the boundary between life and death is not always clear-cut.
I hope you find this exploration of jibakurei intriguing!
If you'd like any further details or have other questions, feel free to ask.