Harikikigaki

 The "Harikikigaki" (the Book of Needles) is a strange medical book from 16th century Japan. The author is unknown, and it lists a variety of conditions and diseases, as well as a number of tiny spirits! It was believed that each of these entities were like parasites that needed treating. In other words, the small beings were actual germs called belly bugs or hara no mushi. Some of the best ways to treat the "belly bugs" was by giving someone herbal medicines and acupuncture. The book is complete with illustrations and it was quite popular in its day, considered a good source of information but now it's considered a piece of history and is homed in Kyushu's museum.  

The disease critters are now a part of myths and legend. Some of the most weirdest of them includes the Akachu that resembles a tiny lobster, Chisaku looks like a fish, the Heimushi looks like a butterfly, Amabie looks like a tiny bird with long hair, Kakuran no Mushi looks like a mini serpent with a penguin like face, Kanmushi looks like a microscopic white ghost, Kanshaku looks like a beetle, Kagemushi looks like a small snake, Umakan looks like a dragon, Haishaku looks like a cloud with a face, Koseu resembles a wormlike mushroom, Kameshaku looks like a turtle, Koshi no Moshi is like a dragonfly, Kiukan is like a tiny goat, Kishaku is like a dog with a squid's face, Jinshaku looks like a polar bear, Hishaku looks like a cloud with a dog's face and Hinosha is like a smiling flower. 

Read about this on Uncanny Japan here.

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The portraits

 

First of all this post will be about a chilling urban legend called "The Portraits". You decide if this could be based on a true story or not. 

A hunter was lost in the middle of a dense forest, and he spent hours looking for a way out. It was almost dark when he came across a cabin, and he hoped that the owners would let him stay for the night. He knocked on the door and there wasn't an answer. He discovered the door was unlocked, and he went inside, hoping to apologise to the owner when they return. Inside the cabin was barely much except a little furniture including a bed. He noticed small flames in the fireplace that was giving light and warmth. Exhausted he immediately went over to the bed.

He was looking around the room and noticed a lot of framed portrait paintings on the wall. They were extremely well detailed. The tired hunter felt uncomfortable as these portraits were frightening. Their faces looked horrible and it appeared as if they were staring at him with malice. Trying to forget about it, he turned over to avoid seeing them. He fell asleep but he was restless. By morning the hunter woke up, and he looked around. He was shocked to find out that there were no portraits on the wall in the cabin. Instead there were just windows! 

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Strange disappearance of Robert Kirk

 A man named Robert Kirk vanished mysteriously. It was widely believed that he was kidnapped by fairies and he disappeared on Fairy Hill in Aberfoyle, Scotland. Let us find out more about him. He was born on 9th December 1644, the seventh son of minister James Kirk. Growing up in Aberfoyle, he studied for a master's degree at Edinburgh University. He became a minister and a scholar, author and folklorist. He was married with two children. 

Then on 14th May in 1692, Robert Kirk "died" or just simply disappeared. He was 47 years old. It was believed that he was kidnapped by the fairies because he offended them and revealed too many secrets of the fairy realm. His body was discovered on Fairy Hill, a place where he often visited but some say there might not have been a body there in the first place. Although he has a marked grave in Aberfoyle churchyard, no one knows if there's a body inside the coffin at all. Some people have seen the ghost of Robert Kirk pleading for help as though he was trapped in another realm. He's shown up during a Christening and also strangely left. There are some weird folklore beliefs about him. He's knowned as the "Fairy Minster" and his mysterious life and death is puzzling to this day.

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