This is a true story I heard from my friend N; a very sad and painful story of what happened to Ikumi (pseudonym), whom N had been friends with since primary school.
Ikumi lost her father before she entered primary school and her mother brought her up alone, working hard day and night without rest, sacrificing everything to get her daugther into high school, even university. It wasn’t long before all that hard work started taking its toll on her and she collapsed. But as soon as she got a little better, she started working again, only to collapse soon after… the same pattern repeated itself again and again, until the day came when she couldn’t get up at all.
The mother realized that she had not long to live and gave Ikumi an amulet (NB: you usually get an amulet from a shrine and it is a little sachet with some sacred object inside) saying; “I am sorry, Ikumi. From now on you will have to survive on your own. But if one day you found life really hard and thought you couldn't go on anymore – please open this amulet.” Very soon after that the mother passed away.
Ikumi cherished the amulet and never parted with it except when she took a bath. One day Ikumi and her friends (including N) went to a public swimming pool and when they were getting ready in the changing room their talk turned to Ikumi’s amulet. Her friends got very curious and begged Ikumi to show the content of the amulet. Ikumi at first refused, but thinking it had been a long time since her mother passed away and maybe it was alright to take a little peek, she decided to open it. Inside the amulet, there was a small folded paper. What? Is this all? Ikumi couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. She took out the paper and unfolded it. On there it said - in shaky handwriting- “Ikumi, die.”
Ikumi lost her father before she entered primary school and her mother brought her up alone, working hard day and night without rest, sacrificing everything to get her daugther into high school, even university. It wasn’t long before all that hard work started taking its toll on her and she collapsed. But as soon as she got a little better, she started working again, only to collapse soon after… the same pattern repeated itself again and again, until the day came when she couldn’t get up at all.
The mother realized that she had not long to live and gave Ikumi an amulet (NB: you usually get an amulet from a shrine and it is a little sachet with some sacred object inside) saying; “I am sorry, Ikumi. From now on you will have to survive on your own. But if one day you found life really hard and thought you couldn't go on anymore – please open this amulet.” Very soon after that the mother passed away.
Ikumi cherished the amulet and never parted with it except when she took a bath. One day Ikumi and her friends (including N) went to a public swimming pool and when they were getting ready in the changing room their talk turned to Ikumi’s amulet. Her friends got very curious and begged Ikumi to show the content of the amulet. Ikumi at first refused, but thinking it had been a long time since her mother passed away and maybe it was alright to take a little peek, she decided to open it. Inside the amulet, there was a small folded paper. What? Is this all? Ikumi couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. She took out the paper and unfolded it. On there it said - in shaky handwriting- “Ikumi, die.”
*The picture above shows omamori, the Japanese amulet (wikipedia)
You wear omamori for good luck and protection from evil.
Comments
I think you guys misinterpreted the story.
It's more that the mother was supporting suicide in the event that nothing would let the daughter leave what ever rutt she was stuck in at the time. Also, the mother obviously had a fond attachment to the daughter. As such, likely wished to see her in the after life when the daughter's time came. Perferably earlier.
ikumi had a hard life having her died and having her mother working day in and day out for her school funds. so ikumi gave her that amulet so that if she feels like their is no hope in her life and that she is miserable she should only open the amulet to suicide. but i really want to know wat happened after a couple of days after she opened it.?
They find out somehow eventually, as mothers usually do.
The mother still wants to be with her daughter,even after death.
Plus, it would be a soulution of what she could do, even though it is a bad one.
but my other guess is that, probably like what Hana Maehata said, probably her mother's spirit is still around or that her mother has some powers, which i doubt so.
but im kinda curious what happened in the end, because it just ended there. D:
but nice story! thanks saya!
Perhaps it's just because I've been watching "Criminal Minds" one too many times, but who knows.
...Just my interpretation of course. Reminds me of "The Pillowman."