Japanese legends, Davis retelling
Kimi, the Kakemono Ghost
Kimi loves the apprentice painter Sawara, who promises to marry her after establishing his career. After her death, he paints her likeness and hangs it in his home. The figure repeatedly comes to life until prayers at the Korinji Temple bring her peace.
Also known as Kimi's Ghost · Ghost of the Hanging Scroll
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In the sources
A promise deferred
TraditionalSawara returns Kimi's affection but delays marriage until he becomes an established artist. Davis places this postponement at the beginning of a story of separation and misunderstanding.
A painted figure returning
TraditionalAfter painting Kimi, Sawara finds her figure beside him at night. He gives the scroll to the Korinji Temple, whose priests pray until she is said to find peace.
Context & interpretation
This is Davis's retelling of a tale attributed to R. Gordon Smith, rather than a verified haunting or a complete account of Japanese ghost beliefs. The story's treatment of attachment and tragedy belongs to its narrative setting. Temple prayers resolve the tale but establish no independently observed mechanism for an apparition.
Original passages
Source 1
Myths and Legends of Japan
Kimi was beautiful, and it was not long before she fell desperately in love with Sawara.Open this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: A Kakemono Ghost, printed p. 122
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0137
- Original scan leaf
- 156
- Recorded leaf number
- 156
- Current Reader position
- 136
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Myths and Legends of Japan
the figure on the kakemono had come to lifeOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Kimi Finds Peace, printed p. 125
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0141
- Original scan leaf
- 161
- Recorded leaf number
- 161
- Current Reader position
- 140
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed