Games From The Grave - Daruma-San

Daruma-San, also known as 'The Bath Game', is a Japanese ritual game that operates similarly to a deadly version of red light, green light. Whilst, in Japan, Daruma dolls are typically symbols of good luck, the namesake of this game couldn't be any different. 

To play, you will need: 

• One player 

• A bathtub (a standing shower will not be sufficient) 

You must begin the game at night, before you go to bed. Strip out of your clothing, turn off all of the lights, and fill the bath with water. Climb into the tub, facing the taps. Close your eyes and begin to wash your hair.  

As you do this, repeat the following:  

Daruma-San fell down. Daruma-San fell down.  

Repeat this continuously until you have finished washing your hair, but do not open your eyes. 

If you have correctly completed this part of the ritual, you will get a mental image of a Japanese woman standing in a bathtub. She will slip and fall, landing face first on a rusty tap and gouging out her right eye.  

Should you hear any noises or feel any movement in the tub behind you, do not open your eyes or turn around! 

Instead, ask out loud: why did you fall in the bathtub? 

Allow the question to hang in the air before standing and exiting the bathtub with your eyes remaining closed. Do not trip and fall and do not drain the tub. Simply leave the bathroom and shut the door behind you.  

You may now open your eyes, but leave the bathroom exactly how you left it with water in the tub, the door closed and the lights off. You should now go to sleep. 

If you were successful, the game will begin the moment that you open your eyes the next day. You should go about your day as normal from here. It is likely that you will feel a presence behind you, but should you ever turn to look, there will be nothing there. However, it is possible to catch a glimpse of her by glancing over your right shoulder. Her hair will be black and tangled, and she will only have one eye. 

Throughout the day, she will attempt to get closer and closer to you. Should you notice that she has gotten too close for comfort, shout out 'Tomare!' (meaning stop) before running away. The goal is to put some distance between yourself and her. Do not let her catch you.  

To end the game, you must 'catch' her by looking at her over your right shoulder. Shout 'Kitta!' (meaning I cut you loose), whilst swinging your arm down in a chopping motion. If you have performed this action correctly, you will have won and the game will be over. If you have not... run. 

Additional notes suggest that she is fond of running water and dark spaces. Therefore it is advised that you avoid all such places while playing the game. You should also use the Tomare command sparingly, as each time it is used, the length of time it stalls her for will reduce.  

Ending the game MUST occur before midnight. Failing to do so will grant her permission to enter your dreams. Ending the game, however, is not as easy as it may sound. If she suspects that you are planning on ending the game, she may hide from you. She also must be in your sights when you use the Kitta command.  

It is strongly recommended not to attempt to play this game more than once. If you do, she will appear in the same position as she was when you ended the previous game. This does not give you enough distance to escape her.