Well, one characteristic is the use of tragic backstories for the ghosts. These could be due to unfair treatment, like in 'Okiku's Well' where Okiku was killed because she refused to be part of her master's improper advances. Another aspect is the way they play on emotions such as pity and fear at the same time. The ghosts are often portrayed as pitiable figures, but also fearsome due to their supernatural abilities. And the cultural elements in these stories, like the importance of honor and family, play a role in creating the sad scenarios. For instance, a ghost may be seeking revenge because their family was dishonored. This all contributes to the overall sad and often complex nature of Japanese ghost stories.
One sad ghost love story could be about a young couple. The man died in a war, but his spirit remained. His lover, not knowing he was dead, waited for him every day at their meeting place. The ghost could see her but couldn't touch or talk to her. He watched her age and die still waiting for him, and his ghost was left alone with the eternal pain of that unfulfilled love.
Another theme is regret. The ghosts might be haunted by things they did or didn't do when they were alive. They can't move on because of this deep - seated regret. It could be something as simple as not saying goodbye to a loved one or making a wrong choice that led to their own death.
Unfinished business is also typical. They remain as ghosts because there are things they need to resolve, like avenging a wrong done to them or protecting someone they love. In some sad ghost stories, the inability to move on due to these unresolved matters creates a sense of melancholy. For instance, a ghost might stay to protect a family heirloom that was wrongly taken from them. And often, the theme of loss is present. They have lost their lives, their loved ones, or their sense of purpose.
I recommend " The Bride Crawling Out of the Grave " to you. It's a modern romance novel. The novel described how the female protagonist climbed out of the grave and chose to leave for the person she loved, while the male protagonist hated the cruelty of the heavens and lamented the injustice of her fate. It was a poignant and euphemistic love, a close friendship like sisters, and the person she trusted the most had actually been betraying her. The story of emotional entanglement and torture was very poignant. I hope you like my recommendation.😗
There's a story of a ghost bride. She was set to marry her beloved, but on the wedding day, she was killed in a tragic accident. Her spirit remained in the wedding dress, waiting for her groom. The groom, not knowing she was dead, thought she had left him. Years later, when he died, he found her still waiting in that ghostly form. But they were in different states of existence and couldn't hold each other or have the happy married life they were supposed to have. It's truly heart - breaking as their love was so close to being fulfilled but was snatched away by fate.
One sad but true ghost story is about the old abandoned asylum. People who have visited at night claim to see the apparitions of former patients wandering the halls. They say they can hear the moans and cries of those who suffered there long ago. It's a very eerie and sad reminder of the past.
One sad ghost story is 'The Ghost of the Little Girl'. It's about a young girl who died tragically and her ghost haunts the old house where she used to live. She's always looking for her lost doll and her sobs can be heard at night. It's really a heart - breaking story.
There is 'The Ghost Bride'. In this story, a young woman is forced into a ghost marriage. She has to deal with the strange and often sad world of the afterlife. The story is filled with her longing for her real life and the sense of being trapped in this unearthly situation.
One common theme is unrequited love. Since the ghost is in a different state of existence, their love may not be fully reciprocated by the living. Another theme is loss. The death that turned one into a ghost has already caused a great loss, and the love that remains is often filled with longing and sorrow.