The Art of Travel: In Search of Cursed Objects and Ghost Stories
As we were leaving, I reflected on the trip and asked Mr. Tanaka about his approach to “collecting ghost stories and cursed objects.” He said that when visiting a place for the first time, the most important thing is to just walk around.
"Unless you have a specific goal in mind, I believe that the more you learn about the history of a place—whether it involves ghost stories or cursed objects—the more you begin to grasp its essence and understand it on a deeper level. "Nowadays, the internet connects us not only to Japan but to the whole world, so if you make full use of it, you can easily find out just about anything. But that’s completely different from actually visiting a place or meeting people there. There are times when you’re disappointed or things don’t go as planned, but I think that’s precisely what makes the experience so moving."
I hear that these days he often receives items as gifts or takes them in, but his basic approach is to go out and find them himself. Furthermore, Mr. Tanaka’s collection of cursed objects and ghost stories isn’t merely a hobby; it’s also a way for him to learn about the history of the land and the nature of human existence.
"The harshness of nature, poverty, stories from the colonial era, and the hopes of the oppressed—these are the contexts behind cursed objects. So, learning about them deepens your understanding of the region and might even change the way you see the town. The same goes for festivals. Rather than just going because they’re unusual, I think you’ll enjoy them more deeply if you participate with an understanding of the local history.”
From his words, I could sense not just mere curiosity, but also a deep reverence and respect for the land and its culture. It is precisely because of this sincerity that Mr. Tanaka has surely been able to reign as an idol in the occult world.
I also asked her for her thoughts on the Brandstone side-gore boots she wore during this trip.
"I've always worn sneakers. But Brandstone shoes don't let water in, and I love how easy they are to slip on and off. I can take them off right away on the plane, too. Plus, they work for both the mountains and the city. Since I travel abroad often, I'll be wearing these instead of sneakers from now on."
Whether on rocky cliffs in a cave, a coral-strewn beach, or the moss-covered cobblestones of Ontake, the side-gore boots that supported Mr. Tanaka’s feet for three straight days had truly become his travel companion.
When asked about the next festival he has his sights set on, Tanaka said, “I’m familiar with both Japanese rituals and festivals around the world, but there are still so many places I’ve never actually visited.” He added that he wants to continue participating not only in famous festivals but also in those that hardly anyone knows about. “There just isn’t enough time,” he said, his eyes already fixed on the next hidden gem of a festival.
It seems there’s no end in sight to the cursed object collector’s journey. Still, Japan is full of mysteries.
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