Name Meaning
Jibakurei (地縛霊) refers to a spirit that is “bound to the earth.” These are ghosts stuck in a specific location, unable to move on due to trauma, regret, or unfinished business.
- Ji (地) = ground / earth
- Baku (縛) = bind
- Rei (霊) = spirit / ghost
Origin
- Commonly found in Buddhist and folk beliefs throughout Japan.
- Frequently tied to murder scenes, suicides, or tragic events.
- Stories often focus on haunted hospitals, schools, or temples.
Appearance
- Usually depicted in pale, traditional funeral garb with a sorrowful or angry expression.
- Some manifest as shadows, floating figures, or ghostly lights.
Behavior & Myths
- They appear repeatedly at the same location, often reenacting moments from their death.
- Can become aggressive if their presence is ignored or their pain is mocked.
- Exorcisms or religious rites may help release them from their bind.
Symbolism
- Symbolizes the weight of unresolved emotion and spiritual unrest.
- A warning to respect the dead and sacred spaces.
- Often used in horror stories to explore trauma and memory.
