Name Meaning
Overview
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Toire-no-Hanakosan (トイレの花子さん) means “Hanako of the Toilet.”
- Toire (トイレ) = Toilet
- Hanako (花子) = A common girl’s name
Origin
- One of the most famous modern urban legends in Japan.
- Stories of Hanako-san began circulating in the 1950s.
- Her story varies by region and school.
Appearance
- Appears as a young girl with bobbed hair and a red skirt or school uniform.
- Seen haunting the third stall of the girls' bathroom on the third floor.
- Sometimes described as bloody or ghostly pale.
Behavior & Myths
- Students dare each other to summon her by knocking three times and asking, “Are you there, Hanako-san?”
- Some legends say she answers “Yes, I’m here,” followed by terrifying consequences.
- Other versions are more benign or even humorous.
Symbolism
- Reflects childhood fears and school-based anxiety.
- Represents the intersection of innocence and horror.
- A symbol of Japanese school ghost culture and urban legends.
