How to see a ghost with 100 Candles; Wanna Play?

Party games with a paranormal twist have always had a place among party goers. Seances, ouija, tarot cards, bloody Mary and palm readings are some of the occasional games that young and old enjoy. In the 1930’s games such as these were the “in thing” for cocktail and dinner parities, now sleepovers boast the main event for these fun and fearful games. Presently a light has been shed on the serious side to these practices, with their noteable esoteric history. A fairly new practice in the west is the Japanese game 100 candles.  It is a basic “How to” on conjuring a Ghost and for one Japanese-American student of Penn State it was an experience she would rather take back. When deciding to play the game 100 candles she thought it would be harmless but the ghost it conjured, the ghost of student in her dorm who commited suicide. The ghost haunted her until professionals came to help remove it. The modern version of this game has lasted since the Edo-period of Japan but Hyaku Monogatari (100 Tales) or Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai (100 Ghostly Tales) as been around alot longer, with esoteric beginnings of an ritualistic ceremony of courage.


How to Play 100 Candles:

In order to play you will need to be apart of a group. Yes, 100 candles is for more than one person in fact you can play with up to 100 people. Once your group has gathered prepare 100 candles and sit in a circle. Take your candles and place them in the center of your seated circle. Oh I almost forgot… the only light source allowed is from the candles so you must in the dark. Light the candle and one by one go around the circle, have each player tell a ghostly tale. As each story ends the teller must blow out a single candle. When the ghost stories are over, and the candles are out, your ghost will appear in the middle of the circle. There is no guarantee that the ghost you bring out isn’t some evil eat your face off crazy undead so play with caution.

History of Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai

It makes sense that originally ordinary candles weren’t used for this game. What was used were Japanese Memorial lanterns, like the kind of lanterns that are used in releasing ceremonies during the O-Bon festival. These shoji screened lanterns are called Andon. It is reasonable that the ritual would use these lantern lights which represent spirits or souls of the dearly departed. When extinguishing the light from one of these sacred lamps you may be angering ghosts already filled with animosity for the living so watch out!

The ritual says that in order to participate three roomsneed to be prepared before midnight. The rooms must be paired, adjacent to one another to form the shape of the letter L.  The first room is where everyone gathers and should be completely free of any light. The adjoining room should be dark as well except for the illumination that leaks from the third room. The third room is where 100 lit andon should stay, along with a mirror on a table. The andon used should be the color blue as should the attire of the participants. There is mention that no one should be with a sword at the time. This is reference to the era where it was common for men to carry weapons. Then the players are instructed to clear the room of anything dangerous.

At the midnight hour each individual gets a chance to tell a story to the players. As each story ends, the telling individual must walk to the third room and douse one of the illuminated andon. Once he completes that task he/she must look at him/herself in the mirror, and return to the first room. As the tellers task is underway, the group in room one will continue the tales as he/she is away. Tales that are told include anything with a paranormal twist from curses and demons to ghosts and monsters. Once all the stories are thoroughly told, it is said that the spiritual energy increases so until something manifests. Either a ghastly being or a ghost will appear like Ao-andon a yokai woman with rotted teeth, long hair and horns. The ironic humor is that in many cases with this ritual, people were so spooked that they often stopped before the last story.