CREEP

CREEP: The Peony Lantern

    During a particularly gloomy night in Edo, the samurai Ogiwara saw an attractive lady walking through the streets with a peony lantern in her hand. Ogiwara fell in love at first sight with the character. It was he who brought the lovely lady, Otsuyu, along with him to his house where they conversed, laughed, and generally enjoyed each other's company. When Ogiwara's neighbour heard strange laughing coming from Ogiwara's garden that night, he peered through a c***k in the wall. He saw that Ogiwara was clutching, not a lady, but a skeleton who was laughing! The next morning, Ogiwara's next-door neighbour informed him of what he had seen. When Ogiwara became terrified, he went to seek counsel from a priest at a neighbouring temple.

    Ogiwara was shocked when he discovered Otsuyu's tomb in the temple. He came to the realisation that the lady with whom he had fallen in love just the night before had died long before they had ever known each other. After learning the truth, Ogiwara no longer saw the ghost of Otsuyu materialise in front of him.

    Even after learning the truth, Ogiwara was heartbroken at the loss of Otsuyu. After some time, he was unable to take his sorrow any longer and went to the temple where Otsuyu's body lay in state. Otsuyu reappeared in front of him at the temple gates for a second time. She extended her hand to Ogiwara and requested him to accompany her back home. Ogiwara reached out and grabbed her hand in his, accompanying her into the darkness.

    Ogiwara disappeared after making his last pilgrimage to the shrine. Otsuyu's tomb was uncovered by the priest, who was worried. Inside the casket, there were two bodies: Ogiwara and Otsuyu, who had been together since the beginning of time.