Furiribi

A Furiribi was the spark of a human soul, a lingering spiritual after-image, trapped in the mortal world after death; the name literally meaned “aimless flame.” They were floating balls of purple fire that dragged long tails of light as they moved, and tended to linger in places where their bodies died. Some played pranks on travelers, and if they were the victim of poison or murder, they might attempt to lure other mortals to their deaths. The touch of a Furaribi burned the spirit, causing the victim to gradually waste away and die of illness.