Cursed Japanese Kleenex commercial
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Cursed Japanese Kleenex Commercial Horror Viral

Eps 13: Cursed Japanese Kleenex commercial

— Scary

The podcast discusses a controversial Japanese Kleenex commercial from the 1980s, which became infamous for its eerie and unsettling qualities. The ad featured a woman dressed as a witch and a child dressed as a red ogre, with an odd song, "It's a Fine Day," playing in the background. Viewers found the ad disturbing due to its creepy atmosphere and the haunting music, leading to widespread rumors that it was cursed. These rumors included tales of the cast and crew experiencing bad luck, misfortune, and even death. However, most of these claims were debunked, and the ad was ultimately pulled from broadcast, but it left a lasting impression and became a part of urban legend lore in Japan.

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Allison Lowe

Allison Lowe

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In the mid-1980s, a seemingly innocent commercial for Kleenex tissues aired on Japanese television, forever etching itself into urban legend territory. The ad featured a woman dressed in a white gown—eerily resembling a Shinto priestess—sitting beside a child with red hair and sharp, demonic features. As the two gazed straight into the camera, the haunting melody of "It's a Fine Day" by Jane & Barton played in the background, effectively casting an unsettling spell on viewers. Almost immediately, the commercial stirred controversy. Reports began circulating that the commercial was cursed. It was said that anyone who watched it suffered from misfortune or ill health. People claimed to experience anxiety, nightmares, and even physical ailments after viewing the ad.

The controversy didn't stop at the audience; eerie rumors also haunted the production crew and cast. The woman in the commercial, actress Keiko Matsuzaka, reportedly experienced a series of misfortunes. Urban legends even suggested that some members of the crew died under mysterious circumstances. The child's appearance, unsettling to begin with, became a focal point in these stories, adding layers to the already chilling whispers surrounding the commercial. Despite these tales, it's critical to mention that none of these claims have been substantiated with concrete evidence, yet the rumors and fear continue to persist.

As the sensational stories spread, theories attempted to explain the commercial's eerie aura. Some claimed that the song "It's a Fine Day," when played backward, sounded malevolent, adding to the air of misfortune. Others believed that the Shinto-like figure of Keiko Matsuzaka was a harbinger of bad luck, as crossing spiritual boundaries is often considered risky in Japanese culture. The commercial was eventually pulled from the air due to these escalating superstitions, but its legacy endured, fueled by the internet and word-of-mouth. Clips of the ad can still be found online, and it continues to evoke a sense of dread among those brave enough to seek it out.

Interestingly, the commercial’s notoriety catalyzed a broader discussion around the impact of media on collective psychology. While the claims of a curse may seem far-fetched, the power of suggestion and mass hysteria highlight the human tendency to find patterns even where there might be none. In this way, the cursed Kleenex commercial serves as a fascinating case study in modern folklore, blending the tangible and the supernatural in a manner that continues to captivate and unsettle.

To this day, the commercial is often cited as one of Japan’s most notorious urban legends. For some, it serves as a spooky story to share around a campfire; for others, it remains a genuine source of discomfort and intrigue. However one views it, the cursed Kleenex commercial is a poignant reminder of the powerful intersection between media, culture, and the human mind's inclination toward the mysterious and unexplainable.