Yūrei Tō
are figures in Japanese folklore analogous to the Western concept of ghosts. The name consists of two kanji, (''yū''), meaning "faint" or "dim" and (''rei''), meaning "soul" or "spirit". Alternative names include , meaning ruined or departed spirit, , meaning dead spirit, or the more encompassing or . Like their Western counterparts, they are thought to be soul, spirits barred from a peaceful afterlife. Japanese afterlife According to traditional Japanese beliefs, all humans have a Spirit (animating force), spirit or soul called a . When a person dies, the ''reikon'' leaves the body and enters a form of purgatory, where it waits for the proper funeral and post-funeral rites to be performed so that it may join its ancestor worship, ancestors. If this is done correctly, the ''reikon'' is believed to be a protector of the living family and to return yearly in August during the Obon, Obon Festival to receive thanks. However, if the person dies in a sudden or violent manner such ...
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