Tales of Photography
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The Mikomori region has many anecdotes regarding the act of photographing the dead.
Many are simple superstitions, but some allow us a glimpse into the customs of another time.
These stories show both great understanding, and great fear.
"Vanishing"
A man showed a photograph to a friend.
The picture showed the faint silhouette of a person.
Upon seeing the silhouette, the man cried out and ran, leaving the photo where it was.
Each time the man looked at the photo, the silhouette grew more and more distinct.
It was his friend.
It is said that his friend disappeared after that.
"The Photo Bride"
A local fool suddenly declared that he had married.
The village threw a celebration but no one had seen the bride.
Someone went to the man's house, and could hear the sounds of a woman talking within.
However, looking inside he saw only the man from behind, with no sign of a woman.
Days pass, and the man hasn't left his house, so one of the villagers went to check on him. There was no one in the house; only an old photograph left behind.
In the photo was a bride hiding her face, and the missing man was at her side.
The man who saw the photo said the bride appeared to be smiling.