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Ghost Rental BusinessAuthor: Yamamoto Shūgorō
| Original Title | ゆうれい貸屋 |
|---|---|
| Author | 山本 周五郎 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In the back alleys of Edo, a notoriously lazy cooper named Yaroku idles his days away, abandoned by his hardworking wife and scorned by his community. His apathetic existence takes an eerie turn when Someshi, the vengeful ghost of a Tsukiji geisha, materializes in his ramshackle home. Drawn to Yaroku’s indifference, she proposes an unconventional venture: a ghost rental business. For a fee, spectral allies torment clients’ enemies, channeling grudges without bloodshed. Seduced by nightly feasts and Someshi’s allure, Yaroku embraces this macabre enterprise, recruiting disgruntled spirits to haunt on demand. Yet success unravels as jealousies flare—both among the ghostly employees and Someshi herself, whose possessive rage threatens Yaroku’s life. Faced with supernatural peril, the once-indolent man confronts his moral decay, sparking a desperate bid for redemption. Blending dark humor and eerie folklore, this tale weaves a wry commentary on greed, human frailty, and the haunting power of unresolved desires—where even the dead cling to worldly grievances. |
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