description Hoichi the Earless Overview
Hoichi the Earless (Mimi-nashi Hoichi) is a character from Japanese folklore featured in Lafcadio Hearn's 1904 collection "Kwaidan." The tale describes a blind biwa musician skilled in chanting the epic of the Heike clan, who is haunted by the ghosts of the defeated Heike warriors at their burial site. A Buddhist monk attempts to protect Hoichi by writing holy texts across his body, but forgets to write on his ears, which the spirits tear off when they cannot see the rest of him. The story has been adapted in various media, including Masaki Kobayashi's 1965 film "Kwaidan" and multiple anime adaptations.
help Hoichi the Earless FAQ
Why is Hoichi called 'Earless'?
Hoichi earned his moniker after a head monk wrote holy Buddhist sutras all over his body to protect him from samurai ghosts. However, the monk forgot to write the sutras on Hoichi's ears, leaving them vulnerable to the spirit of a Heike warrior. The ghost then ripped off Hoichi's ears as proof to his spirit lord that he had 'collected' the biwa player.
Which ghostly clan haunts Hoichi?
Hoichi is haunted by the spirits of the Heike (Taira) clan, who famously perished during the Genpei War at the sea battle of Dan-no-ura. They summon him to play his biwa and recite the epic tale of their clan's downfall every night. Their ghostly camp is located near the Akama Shrine in Shimonoseki.
What instrument does Hoichi play in the story?
Hoichi is a master of the biwa, a traditional Japanese lute. Specifically, he excels at chanting the 'Tale of the Heike,' a biwa-based narrative tradition. His musical prowess is what initially draws the attention of the lingering samurai spirits.
Who popularized the story of Hoichi the Earless for Western audiences?
Lafcadio Hearn introduced the tale to Western readers in his 1904 collection of Japanese ghost stories titled 'Kwaidan'. The story, originally titled 'Miminashi Hoichi no Hanashi,' was brought to Japan from oral traditions. Hearn's translation remains the definitive version of the myth for English speakers.
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