In the seventeenth century, in the city of Kushiro on the island of Hokkaido, two samurais on leave ran into each other during the spring festival. They were old friends who had lost touch because they served different masters and were both overjoyed at their reunion. They enjoyed the celebration together, having such a grand time that they promised each other they would return on the same occasion the following year. When spring came, one of the samurais, unable to make the trip in time, unsheathed his katana and performed hara-kiri. His ghost appeared to his friend in the city of Kushiro
...more
