The Haunted Cycad: Ranmaru's Midnight Investigation at Azuchi Castle
- Re.JapBook
- Feb 6
- 1 min read
From Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's "New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts" Series
The Transplanted Treasure
This haunting print depicts the legendary encounter between Mori Ranmaru, Oda Nobunaga's trusted young page, and a supernatural giant cycad at Azuchi Castle. The ancient plant had been forcibly relocated from Myōkoku-ji Temple in Sakai to satisfy Nobunaga's desire to enhance his castle gardens.
The Nightly Lament
Following its transplantation, mysterious voices began echoing through the castle grounds each night. Yoshitoshi captures the moment when young Ranmaru, under Nobunaga's orders, investigates the source of these supernatural occurrences, holding aloft a lantern as he confronts the haunted plant.
The Plant's Protest
The investigation revealed that the cycad itself was crying out, begging to be returned to Sakai. When Nobunaga, enraged by this discovery, ordered the plant cut down, it began bleeding when struck, creating a scene of supernatural horror that convinced even the fearsome warlord to return it to its original home.
The Living Legacy
This thousand-year-old cycad, which survived its supernatural ordeal, still thrives today at Myōkoku-ji Temple, designated as a National Natural Monument of Japan. The tale serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of disturbing sacred objects for personal gain.
Artistic Interpretation
Yoshitoshi masterfully renders this nocturnal scene, capturing both Ranmaru's youthful courage and the eerie atmosphere surrounding the possessed plant, creating a perfect balance between historical drama and supernatural horror.
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