Ancient ''kokkuri''
The word ''kokkuri'' refers to the game and physical apparatus, while ''kokkuri-san'' refers to the being that is summoned: it is considered by the Japanese to be some sort of animal spirit that is a mix between a fox, dog, and raccoon. These three animals are meant to reflect the dual nature of the being, justifying its different personality traits: the fox being a trickster or teacher, and the raccoon being both a bearer of mischief or good fortune. ''Kokkuri-san'' is believed to possess the apparatus in order to communicate with humans. The physical mechanism is composed of three bamboo rods arranged to make a tripod, upon which is placed a small pot lid or platter, which is covered by a cloth. In some versions, tags are inserted into each of the three rods, with the words ''kitsune'', ''tengu'', and ''tanuki'', respectively; in others, the words are merely traced with a finger on the bottom of the plate. Three or more people will place both their hands upon the ''kokkuri'' (lined-up, as in table-turning) and ask the spirit a question, which that spirit will in theory answer by moving (or not moving) the legs underneath the plate. Japanese folklorist Inoue Enryō wrote about the ''kokkuri'' phenomenon, denouncing it as mere superstition, yet his efforts did not succeed in de-popularizing the game. Some scientific figures of the age attempted to explain the phenomena with the more scientific sounding yet ultimately equally mysterious term "human-electricity;" these same figures claimed the cloth used should always be of a white or gold color. Blue cloth was (incorrectly) said to hamper the human-electricity's passage. The human-electricity needing a passage, it was stated the game required participants to place both hands on the apparatus, with finger tips touching - as in Western table-turning. The game is sometimes referred to as ''Okatabuki,'' ''Angel-san'' or ''Cupid-san.''Modern ''kokkuri''
Modern ''kokkuri'' has changed heavily from its original form, now resembling the much more common Oujia board, but played with a sheet of paper. A '' torii'' is drawn in the top-center of the paper, with the words 'Yes' and 'No' written on either side; a letter grid (most often ''hirigana'') is placed underneath the ''torii'', along with the numbers 0-9. A small coin (most commonly the ten yen) is used as a planchette. Unlike the Western Ouija board, ''kokkuri'' has slight differences in playthrough. Before playing, a door or window must be propped open to allow the spirit to enter the room, and must be closed when the spirit leaves. In addition, sometime in the next 24 hours after the game is played, the paper must be burned and the coin spent in a financial transaction. This modern version is sometimes referred to as ''Spirit of the Coin.''In popular culture
* In '' Gugure! Kokkuri-san'', the three main '' yōkai'' characters are a fox spirit ('' kitsune''), dog spirit ('' inugami''), and tanuki spirit ('' bake-danuki''). *In episode 5 of '' Nichijou'', the character Yuuko Aioi goes to great lengths to explain the game to her classmate, Mio Naganohara, who then declines to play the game. *In Junji Ito's ''Souichi's Home Tutor,'' Souchi lists ''kokkuri'' as a personal hobby, but explains he doesn't need paper and simply asks a '' geisha'' doll questions instead. *The 1997 horror movie ''Kokkuri-san'' revolves around the playing of the game.See also
* Omikuji * Ouija * ''Fuji'' (planchette writing) *References
* * {{Urban legends Japanese folklore Japanese games Urban legends Supernatural legends