It was the last session this season with my adult students so they all had a lot to talk about. So barely any time to discuss Halloween! They did all agree to wear masks for a group photo though!
This makes me smile!
I popped into my local Aeon Mall and snapped a few photos.
I even managed to get in some UFO Catching, some sweet treats.
A couple of Gatcha.
Speaking of Chucky...
FANTAstic!
Aw, this is sweet. The Demon Woman of Dojoji slithers her way into our hearts.
(If you can't read the fine print, be sure to click on the pic to embiggen it.)
No time for a movie tonight (I did catch up on "Only Murders in the Building" and "Generation V" though.)
This fellow Countdown blogger may have some movie tidbits for ya. If you like Classic Horrors that is.
Another class with another group of Adults. Maybe they will have some spooky tales to tell (I gave them a homework assignment to do just that.)
清姫 きよひめ Princess Kiyo is a true demon, one of the three most powerful types of demons, who can turn into a serpent and breathe fire.
Kiyo hime is one of the most famous antagonists in Japanese literature,
and an example of a honnari hannya—a demon woman who has attained the
maximum level of power. She appears in The Legend of Anchin and Kiyo
hime, or Princess Kiyo, an ancient tale from Wakayama prefecture.
Versions of the story appear in a number of ancient books. Her tale is
retold in the famous noh play Dōjō-ji.
Knock, knock, knock, under the bell of the Dojoji temple, Anchin and Kiyohime
hide themselves,
disguised as a snake, coiled
seven times, round and round
That song is but a taste of the story. Be sure to click the link far above for the lengthy tale that I shan't copy here.
When you have a problem with Demons, who do you call? Hint: you may need to say his name three times.
If you guessed this guy, you'd be right.
The movie was okay, way too many subplots to carry out properly, but it kept me amused and that's good enough for me.
Here are a couple of Post Cards and a Clear File.
I am disappointed in the complete lack of Gatcha Goods related to Betelgeuse. Here's another snake instead.
I wasted much of the day today watching some classic anime that I'd never seen before, such as:
Vampire Hunter D (1985),
Night Warriors: The Curse of Kazuo Umezu (Junji's mentor)
A Dirty Pair Halloween episode.
and Wicked City (1987) which is rather naughty in parts.
For an actual Junji Ito tale involving a snake, you should check out Souichi's Beloved Pet. I haven't had a chance to watch this video yet, though since it features the author critiquing his story, it probably does spoil at times.
Here Brother Voodoo battles a serpent:
And I like this issue of Chamber of Chills.
I caught up on some tv shows today and I finished this blog early, so I'm going to treat myself to a few beers and a movie. (Details about what I watched tomorrow...)
Speaking of movies, this fellow blogger shows off a few cinematic masterpieces, Cinema Crazed.
Let's get the preliminaries out of the way, "Welcome to the 2024 Edition of the Countdown to Halloween!" As soon as I figure out how to do so (gadgets?!?) I'll add a little sidebar to my bloggy thing so you don't have to click the above link and can just click the badge to check out all the participating bloggers.
Since it's October 1st, I'll add a page from my calendar to prove it. According to this, Godzilla's 50th anniversary was 20 years ago in October with the release of Final Wars. I'll let you do the math to figure out what anniversary 2024 is.
During the Countdown, I'll keep my Godzilla references to a minimum. I will need to save something for Govember! (Gojira + November, duh.) So instead, let's give a shoutout to my estranged and very strange sister who celebrates a birthday today! This Puffy tune showed up in my Facebook memories ten years ago when she was less estranged and less strange.
So let's get to the meat of the Countdown. Several days ago, I received a Facebook ad for a Popup store featuring Junji Ito. (Click there to zoom to his website.) I thought to myself, "Hey, why don't I feature Junji daily on my blog?" Here are the highlights of that ad.
I'd love a couple of these standees.
So, I spent the past week scouring stores for some Junji goodies, mostly to no avail. What I did find, I'll share later...
Today I watched the first episode of UZUMAKI, a creepy little anime about Spirals.
I'll let you watch the show yourselves and not spoil anything (Except for this pic.)
If I can find it for a reasonable price, I might pick up the Manga.
Less likely, I'll find a cheap copy of the Colouring Book.
This clip of the ending tune (Dojoji no Kotoriuta) won't spoil much, so give it a listen.
I've amassed enough Gatcha-capsules and UFO Catcher Crap over the last while to showcase one daily.
Since this hebi (Snake) is Spirally, that's what I'll start with.
Check out the little caveat that they give you. I wouldn't dream of causing mischief with this.
UPDATE! I scored the green snake today. These are pretty nice for two bucks.
I'm trying to diet (not very hard it seems) so the Treats part of Trick or Treat will be a minimum.
I saw this today at 31 (Baskin Robbins) but didn't indulge.
I also plan to feature a Yokai from my Prefecture (Miyagi), going alphabetically, we have Amazake Baba, an elderly hag who goes door to door asking for Sweet Sake (amazake). Whether you give her any or not, should you answer the door, those within the household will fall ill. (That's putting the Trick in Trick or Treat!) For some historical significance, check out the link above. Just don't answer the door!
On my way back from the local Shrine on New Year's Day, I am often offered a free cup of amazaki. I shall be a bit more discerning about accepting now.
I'd be neglectful if I didn't mention the Yokai, Rokurokubi, who has a long spirally neck. For more, go to previous blog entries here or here.
Before I go, I had a difficult time finding someone who has already started their October blog yet (pesky time difference), but I did discover one by Alexis so go check them out.
Be back tomorrow, Same Bat-time, Same Bat-Channel for more Halloween hijinks.
UPDATE 2! I forgot that I had intended to showcase some of my spooky comic books that I have with me or at a friend's place (or for sale on consignment.)
I chose this one because Mera's hair is spiraling.
