News
Paranormal Games: Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai
It’s Monday, and you know what that means! It’s time for another Paranormal Game at iHorror. This week’s game is called Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai, and unlike some of our previous games, it has quite a history!
While people now often call the game The 100 Candles or some variation, it is more accurately translated as A Gathering of 100 Weird Tales, and one of its earliest recorded mentions is found in a kaidan-shu (a collection of strange tales) titled Tonoigusa by Ogita Ansei in 1660.
The idea behind the game is relatively simple. When it begins, there are 100 candles lit in a room. As each story is told, one candle is extinguished so that the room slowly descends into darkness. As the final candle’s flame is snuffed out, the combined spiritual energy raised during the game is released fully into the room.
We don’t know for certain when the game was first conceived, but it seems to have originated as a test of bravery for young samurai. After a time, it trickled out into the lower classes and soon everyone was playing the game in small gatherings telling stories to frighten their friends and family and testing their own bravery in the face of the unknown.
What is most fascinating about this–to me anyway, and I’ll admit I’m a pretty big nerd–is that the demand for creepy tales or kaidan, grew out of the popularity of the Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai game, itself. After all, people could not continue telling the same stories over and over or the rush of fear would soon dissipate.
Soon more books were printed, each featuring 100 tales specifically for the playing of the game.
So you see, in some ways, Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai opened the door for scholars and writers to search out and assemble stories from Japanese and Chinese folklore in ways that they had simply never considered before, and many of those stories still influence Asian culture, filmmaking, and storytelling to this day.
Below, you’ll find the rules and a little more history for playing Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai, but I would add one final note before proceeding.
The kaidan used from the beginning in playing this particular game were all believed to be true. You weren’t supposed to share false stories or fake stories, so if you decide to play, remember that true creepy stories are preferred. Personally, I think this points toward the tenacity of those who play. Anyone can make something up, but can you face something true and terrifying?
Supplies and Rules for Playing Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai
Supplies and Setup:
As far as setups go, this is one of the easiest we’ve featured, though set up may be a bit time-consuming. You will need 100 candles, something to light them–traditionally matches, but hey, if you’ve got a BIC then flick it–and finally a mirror.
In the beginning, so far as we could tell, the game was played in three rooms.
The first room was for telling the stories. The second room, which was not illuminated in any way, was used as a passageway and the third room was where the candles were placed and lit. You would also place a small mirror on a table in the room with the candles.
As this may not be feasible for everyone, you can play the game all in one room, but in explaining the game play, I will work on the assumption that you’re playing in three.
Playing the Game
The game must be played at night when the sun has already set.
Gather as many of your friends together who would like to play, but understand that if they are present, they must participate at least in the beginning. No one should just observe.
Whoever wants to go first will begin by telling their first story. Upon its completion, they must walk through the darkness of the second room and enter the third room where the candles are burning. They can snuff out any candle they choose, but then they must turn and look into the mirror. There is no specific time limit on this but give it a couple of seconds, anyway, rather than just a quick glance.
When they have completed this, they can return to the room with their friends. Participants can wait for their friend to return or they can proceed with the next story while they complete their task.
This continues until all of the candles have been snuffed out and your house has become ground zero for concentrated spiritual energy.
If someone becomes too frightened and does not wish to proceed, they can leave the game, but they must stay until either everyone else chickens out or the game itself is completed.
What is really fascinating to me is that they do not say what to do after you’ve unleashed all this spiritual energy into your home in any of the references I could find. Perhaps they felt it would dissipate? Or possibly, they would cleanse the home after the ritual? Or maybe, they didn’t expect anyone to complete it and so it was never a problem.
Have you ever played Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai? Let us know in the comments!
Want to check out more Paranormal Games? Try The Three Kings Ritual.
Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'
Movies
‘The Strangers’ Invaded Coachella in Instagramable PR Stunt
Renny Harlin’s reboot of The Strangers isn’t coming out until May 17, but those murderous home invaders are making a pit stop at Coachella first.
In the latest Instagramable PR stunt, the studio behind the film decided to have the trio of masked intruders crash Coachella, a music festival that takes place for two weekends in Southern California.
This type of publicity began when Paramount did the same thing with their horror movie Smile in 2022. Their version had seemingly ordinary people in populated places look directly into a camera with an evil grin.
Harlin’s reboot is actually a trilogy with a more expansive world than that of the original.
“When setting out to remake The Strangers, we felt there was a bigger story to be told, which could be as powerful, chilling, and terrifying as the original and could really expand that world,” said producer Courtney Solomon. “Shooting this story as a trilogy allows us to create a hyperreal and terrifying character study. We’re fortunate to be joining forces with Madelaine Petsch, an amazing talent whose character is the driving force of this story.”
The movie follows a young couple (Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez) who “after their car breaks down in an eerie small town, are forced to spend the night in a remote cabin. Panic ensues as they are terrorized by three masked strangers who strike with no mercy and seemingly no motive in The Strangers: Chapter 1 the chilling first entry of this upcoming horror feature film series.”
The Strangers: Chapter 1 opens in theaters on May 17.
Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'
Movies
‘Alien’ Returning to Theaters For a Limited Time
It’s been 45 years since Ridley Scott’s Alien hit theaters and in celebration of that milestone, it is headed back to the big screen for a limited time. And what better day to do that than Alien Day on April 26?
It also works as a primer for the upcoming Fede Alvarez sequel Alien: Romulus opening on August 16. A special feature in which both Alvarez and Scott discuss the original sci-fi classic will be shown as a part of your theater admission. Take a look at the preview of that conversation below.
Back in 1979, the original trailer for Alien was kind of terrifying. Imagine sitting in front of a CRT TV (Cathode Ray Tube) at night and suddenly Jerry Goldsmith’s haunting score begins to play as a giant chicken egg starts to crack with beams of light bursting through the shell and the word “Alien” slowly forms in slanted all caps across the screen. To a twelve-year-old, it was a scary pre-bedtime experience, especially Goldsmith’s screaming electronic musical flourishes playing over scenes of the actual movie. Let the “Is it horror or sci-fi?” debate begin.
Alien became a pop culture phenomenon, complete with kid’s toys, a graphic novel, and an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. It also inspired dioramas in wax museums and even a frightening setpiece at Walt Disney World in the now-defunct Great Movie Ride attraction.
The film stars Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, and John Hurt. It tells the tale of a futuristic crew of blue-collar workers suddenly awakened out of stasis to investigate an undecipherable distress signal coming from a nearby moon. They investigate the source of the signal and discover it’s a warning and not a cry for help. Unbeknownst to the crew, they have brought a giant space creature back on board which they find out in one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history.
It is said that Alvarez’s sequel will pay homage to the original film’s storytelling and set design.
The Alien theatrical re-release will take place on April 26. Pre-order your tickets and find out where Alien will screen at a theater near you.
Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'
News
Home Depot’s 12-Foot Skeleton Returns with a New Friend, Plus New Life-Size Prop from Spirit Halloween
Halloween is the greatest holiday of them all. However, every great holiday needs amazing props to go with it. Luckily for you, there are two new amazing props that have been released, which are sure to impress your neighbors and frighten any neighborhood children who are unfortunate enough to wander past your yard.
The first entry is the return of the Home Depot 12-foot skeleton prop. Home Depot has outdone themselves in the past. But this year the company is bringing bigger and better things to their Halloween prop lineup.
This year, the company unveiled its new and improved Skelly. But what is a giant skeleton without a loyal friend? Home Depot has also announced that they will release a five-foot tall skeleton dog prop to eternally keep Skelly company as he haunts your yard this spooky season.
This bony pooch will be five feet tall and seven feet long. The prop will also feature a posable mouth and LCD eyes with eight variable settings. Lance Allen, Home Depot’s merchant of decorative Holliday gear, had the following to say about this year’s lineup.
“This year we increased our realism within the animatronics category, created some impressive, licensed characters and even brought back some fan favorites. Overall, we are most proud of the quality and value we are able to bring to our customers with these pieces so they can continue to grow their collections.”
But what if giant skeletons just aren’t your thing? Well, Spirit Halloween has you covered with their giant life size Terror Dog replica. This massive prop has been ripped out of your nightmares to appear frighteningly on your lawn.
This prop weighs in at almost fifty pounds and features glowing red eyes that are sure to keep your yard safe from any toilet paper throwing hooligans. This iconic Ghostbusters nightmare is a must have for any fan of 80s horror. Or, anyone who loves all things spooky.
Listen to the 'Eye On Horror Podcast'
-
Trailers6 days ago
James McAvoy Captivates in the New Trailer for ‘Speak No Evil’ [Trailer]
-
Trailers5 days ago
Watch the trailer for ‘Under Paris,’ the movie people are calling ‘French Jaws’ [Trailer]
-
Movies7 days ago
Blumhouse & Lionsgate to Create New ‘The Blair Witch Project’
-
Trailers7 days ago
HBO’s “The Jinx – Part Two” Unveils Unseen Footage and Insights Into Robert Durst Case [Trailer]
-
Movies5 days ago
Ernie Hudson To Star In ‘Oswald: Down The Rabbit Hole’
-
News5 days ago
Paramount and Miramax Team Up to Reboot the “Scary Movie” Franchise
-
News2 days ago
Read Reviews For ‘Abigail’ The Latest From Radio Silence
-
Editorial3 days ago
Rob Zombie’s Directorial Debut Was Almost ‘The Crow 3’
You must be logged in to post a comment Login