kwaidan directed by masaki kobayashi written by yko mizuki based on the novel ghost story by lafcadio hearn plot synopsis four japanese campfire tales are told through black hair ( an unfaithful husband pays the ultimate price ) ; the woman of the snow ( a ghostly snow witch chooses between life and death for two woodsmen ) ; hoichi the earless ( a blind musician is tattooed to protect him from evil spirits when he is summed by the specter of a dead samurai for a command performance ) ; and in a cup of tea ( a hapless caffeine addict is steeped in ghostly visions ) .