Adieu Aka Manto!

Adieu Aka Manto!

A Poem by Raj Sahu
"

For the contest "Japanese Folklore", Please refer to author's note prior of reading.

"
He come across a traumatic tale,
Is it true or just a rumour?
But none a tale, can ever fail,
His immodest courage. The Aka Manto,
Too can be a subject of humour.

My School mate, with unfortunate fate,
To relieve himself, went in.
A question echoed as he closed the gate,
"Which toilet paper- red or blue?"
That brought spikes on his skin.

Eminent for his wit, a plan he knit, 
Replied vigorously to the vulpine voice,
"You lost your way a little-bit,
Left Japan and afflicted this land.
Now, don't leave till you rejoice."

He told, after hearing the school knolls,
"None in this amazing country,
Use your precious toilet rolls,
A mug of water is more than enough!"
On hearing this, eftsoons the voice flee.

© 2018 Raj Sahu


Author's Note

Raj Sahu
Aka Manto (赤マント Red Cape) is a Japanese urban legend about a malicious spirit who kills people at public and school toilets, who will ask people if they want red paper or blue paper. In some versions, he will ask the individual if they want a red or blue cape. Often described as a beautiful man in life and hounded constantly by admirers, he supposedly wears a mask to hide his face.
The legend somewhat says like this:
If a person is sitting on the toilet (usually the last stall), a mysterious voice will ask them if they want red paper or blue paper. If they answer red paper, they will be sliced apart until their clothes are stained red. If they choose blue paper, they will be strangled until their face turns blue. Any attempt to outsmart Aka Manto by asking for a different color will result in them being dragged to the Netherworld. If you decline to receive any kind of paper, he will depart.

My Review

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Featured Review

I dare say, the theme is intriguing, but I found the narrative sort of confusing. The Author's Note clarified some questions, but these kinds of poems shouldn't be begging questions, but rather should set things up and then dive in. Readers who don't know anything about what's going on shouldn't be left confused for the entire poem. Other than that, apart from some musicality issues here and there, I quite enjoyed this. Well done!

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Raj Sahu

6 Years Ago

Thank you very much for such a wonderful review! I appreciate it.
emipoemi

6 Years Ago

my pleasure.



Reviews

It's a humorous work and I liked the idea you used to describe it by first taking the support of horror and then adding the punch of sarcasm. I liked the narrative as well. You gave me knowledge about a new legendary phantom- Aka Manto. A good read. Thank you.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Raj Sahu

6 Years Ago

Thank you for your appreciation!
Raj Sahu

6 Years Ago

Thank you for your appreciation!
Another good read from you Rag. You took the story and made it real, my friend. Once again I enjoyed your read....peter

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Raj Sahu

6 Years Ago

Thanks once again Peter for your precious words but please spell my name 'Raj', which is indeed an h.. read more
Ah, wellll decline decline decline I pray! Well done, good read.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Raj Sahu

6 Years Ago

Thanks a lot!
Cool Poem! I wrote a story about "Aka Manto" which I will share later.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Raj Sahu

6 Years Ago

Thank you so much!
Sounds like a disinformation campaign against toilet paper to me! :D
A very interesting poem. Thank you for explaining the legend. It made it all more meaningful.
An amusing piece.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Raj Sahu

6 Years Ago

Thanks a lot!
I love it. Especially the Japanese influence. Never knew there was an urban legend as such. Just learned something new too!

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Raj Sahu

6 Years Ago

Thank you so much!
lol,i guess i would carry my own

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Raj Sahu

6 Years Ago

Haha! Good sense of humour! Thank you for your review!
 wordman

6 Years Ago

you`re welcome
I dare say, the theme is intriguing, but I found the narrative sort of confusing. The Author's Note clarified some questions, but these kinds of poems shouldn't be begging questions, but rather should set things up and then dive in. Readers who don't know anything about what's going on shouldn't be left confused for the entire poem. Other than that, apart from some musicality issues here and there, I quite enjoyed this. Well done!

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Raj Sahu

6 Years Ago

Thank you very much for such a wonderful review! I appreciate it.
emipoemi

6 Years Ago

my pleasure.

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783 Views
18 Reviews
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Added on April 14, 2018
Last Updated on May 5, 2018
Tags: Horror, Aka Manto, Humour

Author

Raj Sahu
Raj Sahu

Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh, India



About
Myself Raj Sahu from the historic town of Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh, India. I had completed my high schooling with flying colours from Choithram School, Indore in Humanities stream and was first in or.. more..

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