Okinawan Folktake: Iejima Handu-gwa

To the West of Okinawa Island

 

 

During the 18^th Century, a prince from Iejima arrived in Hentona Village, Okinawa.

He met a beautiful girl with long black hair and, they fell in love.

One day, he informed her that, he had to travel north, to Japan, on official business.

He promised, he would return, to the love of his life, Handu-gwa but, never did.

After a long wait, she became anxious and decided to travel by boat, to Iejima.

She spoke with the captain about, going to find out what happened to her prince.

Captain Tamaki, warned her, not to visit the residence of the royal family.

She ignored his advice and, went anyway.

She would discover, her charming prince, had a wife and a child.

In despair, Handu-gwa climbed the only hill on the island, where she committed suicide.

She hung herself from a tree, using her long hair to strangle herself.

Sketch by Atsushi Maezato

Her Spirit Would Return

 

  The lord of Iejima and prince would soon die early deaths, from undetermined causes.

The royal family lost their fame and fortunes.

The Tamaki family became successful, wealthy and lived long, happy lives.

At times, the ghost of Handu-gwa, would appear outside the homes of the prince's descendants.

When she showed, on the occasion of childbirth, the babies would be stillborn.

There would be black marks of strangulation on the child's neck.




See the statue of Handu-gwa on Ie-jima



MORE FOLKLORE

Travel Photo: Hajiusui (恥うすい坂) the Stone of Shame in Nago

Tragedy in the Mountains

 

 

This stone is a monument to a story Shakespeare could have written.

Two young lovers, ended their lives in this area.

It's another one of those tales about a girl who is in love.

And, she catches her guy, with another woman.

So, she goes up the trail and kills herself.

He went up and did the same thing.

Now I'm Hearing They Were Found Naked

 

 

They probably would have gotten this rock carving, anyhow.

So, I'm wondering.  What possessed them to take their clothes off ?

The inscription on the stone warns travelers.  Be careful, going up that trail.

Something told me, "Don't go in there."

So, I stayed on the road and shot butterflies, instead.

Nago City Website Convinced Me 

If you go up that trail, you better sprinkle the path with leaves.

Because, if you don't, you will be misled by some evil spirits !

Use your Google Translate on the Nago Website

Directions and more at Map It Okinawa