This is the Kokeshi Doll Mazo talisman.
At the top of her head blooming is the flower associated with Soh. On her chest, is a magatama pendant.
I thought this thing was always clipping but it might actually be directly on the skin of her chest.
Soh and Yoshiro are roles played a Maiden.
Yoshiro is the 'Body of the Goddess' with Soh being the Spirit. (More here)
Played by different Maidens in a cycle, the Maiden walking the Path and the Messenger having walked the Path.
Once Yoshiro completes the path and becomes the Goddess, she becomes defiled. (Or she becomes the Goddess and then walks the Path, becoming defiled in the process, due to this image)
As the Goddess, she sends her spirit as 'Soh' to guide the next Maiden on the Path.
So yes, Yoshiro and Soh are one but not in the way you'd think. It's two roles a Maiden moves through, with her role as Soh being in relation to the future Maiden.
I believe the Goddess inhabits the body of the Maiden as this is something that can occur in Shinto.
Or maybe it's just her powers? If so, the result might be a 'Kunitsukami', a god created on Earth. It would explain why it's 'Birth of a Goddess' and not 'the Goddess'.
If it's the former, why does this happen? Is the Goddess trying to purify herself? Why does this cycle exist?
What did Soh do to break it? What was different about her?
If it's the latter, then Maidens who walk the Path and become the Goddess become defiled due to humanity's actions. Over and over again, they defile the Goddess. Every generation.
Fun fact:
Soh's flower blooms around Yoshiro when night begins.
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| I kept the last few seconds because of Soh |
The basin has Soh's flower in it.
