Spirits On The Old Banyan Tree

I did not know if what I experienced is what people of the Ryukyu Island considered as Kijimuna, a child like spirt which is red in color. But I am going to share it because what I experienced was similar to stories told by people as an urban legend about Kijimuna.

This is actually a continuation of the previous story about me and my friend during a trip at Okinawa.

The last time we met a Yuta, this time we met a local tour guide who knew English very well, he is a local photographer and knew lots of histories of Okinawa and some local legends.

So we came to a spot where used to be a holy land of Kijimuna, they are claimed to live on old Banyan Trees and it is kind of like a tree fairy? But much more human like.

"So, this is the oldest tree around" said the tour guide " you'll be able to see Kijimunas if you are really lucky" the tour guide laughed.

"Hey, Kinko-san, is Kijimuna a 1 being or are they like a group spirits?" I asked. My friend dropped her head down as if she failed to stop me.

"They are groups I believe, they are like kids... You know about Zashiki-warashi?" The tour guide replied and asked me "zashiki-warashi... A child spirits living in old houses?"

I answered, " yep!"

"And you know that they are believed to bring good luck to the house owners" the tour guide said.

"Oh, is it? I am not too sure about that part because I haven't meet one yet" I replied.

The tour guide laughed and continued " See kijimuna is like the Okinawa version of Sashiki-warashi, if you are liked by one you'll be wealthy. But if you are hated by one, it's going to be dangerous. I have a story to share if you wish to hear that" said the tour guide. I was not too interested since I kind of felt that it is just an urban legend like any UMA or whatever unidentified creatures.

That night we stayed in a hotel nearby the Banyan forest (the holy land of Kijimunas) our room was at the second floor where we can see the forest from our veranda.

My friend was at the veranda smelling the night air, feeling the wind (no, I did not meant to be poetic) while I am in the room checking our flight schedule back to Hokkaido.

"Neh, Ryujin come here!" My friend called me. I walked to the veranda and looked at where she was looking.

"Good view?" I asked.

"Very, but look there! Do you see that tallest banyan tree there?" She asked. There were no wind and yes, I see that only one tree was moving as if someone is climbing on it.

"hmm... Yes I see that. Is it a forest ranger though?" I asked. "There is no such job in Japan!" She said.

She is right and it could not be kids or any one around the place because there is no houses around but our hotel.

"Hmm... But it looks like that some one is there and it will be strange for only one tree to move if there were any wind, but it is stuffy tonight... Too hot without the AC... Let's close the window shall we?" I researched for some night creatures around the area. The results were some wild cats and reptiles, all miniature in size and will not be able to shake the tree that way. "Maybe if we go there now we will be able to see the Kijimuna," I laughed and switched off the lights to sleep.

That night my friend and I both woke up hearing some footsteps outside our hotel. "Stay in the room, I'll go to the veranda to see who that is" I said to my friend. My friend stayed in her bed. I looked out the veranda and heard someone singing a Japanese nursery song. It sounded like a group of young girls or children? And I also heard some crying noises which sounded like some kind of cats. "Wild cats?" I thought. But I could not really explain about the nursery song.

The next day I asked the tour guide that if there are anyone living nearby and also if there were any kids or young girls as customers. "No, this season is too early for family with kids, also, young people will not come here especially local people, it's far away from the city" he answered.

So I told him what happened last night. "Well... Sometimes people from outside of Okinawa will come here at night to do night touring in the forest... They need a very experienced person or two to guide them though or else it's going to be dangerous... Well I will call the city's security team to have a look there don't worry" the tour guide replied.

Not that tour? In a banyan forest? I am kind of iffy about that, but what about the nursery song? Who was singing a nursery song during a midnight?

And the footsteps? Well, we actually went to see if there is strange foot prints around during the morning, nothing is there...

What do you guys/gals think? Is it Kijimuna or something spiritual? Or is it just some wild animals?