In the Japanese language, “Hyaku monogatari” literally means 100 stories. But these are not just any type of stories, they are scary ghost or demon stories. Hyaku monogatari is a style of storytelling or story-sharing for a group of people. You start with 100 candles lit, and blow one candle out each time someone finishes telling a story. A ghost or demon is supposed to appear by the time all the candles are blown out. I’ve never tried it myself; and I don’t know anyone who has. Would you? 😉
The tradition of sharing scary ghost/demon stories in summer came about because people feel a chill when they are scared, so on hot humid summer nights we try to cool down by talking and listening scary ghost stories. Therefore, hyaku monogatari is known as a summer activity.
