Impurity and sin and gods. (Looking at Ten's post) + Clarification on ideas

Ten wrote a new post, which I want to post here and have a look at. 

They also responded to my comment! To clarify some things, have a look.

It is not entirely false that Soh's true identity is a fox.
It is just a nuance of “there may be times when Soh is a fox.

Since the theme of this game is Kagura, the fact that “Soh is a fox” should not be too conspicuous.
This time Soh is a samurai in armor, but she may appear in public as a monkey, a wolf, a snake, or a boar.

The Ema plaque of Soh.
The word “descending” does not mean “to come down from the heavens. It is a word used for places that are not very high, such as “descending from a horse.”

When God descends from the heavens to the earth, it is called “ama-kudaru”.

A bridge connecting heaven and earth.
Ama-no-ukihashi appears in the Nihon-shoki (Chronicles of Japan), but this is a difficult question to answer. I don't think it means what it says.
It would be strange if a messenger of God came from a neighboring village, and if she came from the bottom of the earth, she would be a messenger from Hades.

Saying that she came across the ama-no-ukihashi conveys the idea that he came to this world from another world where God might be present.

We don't have to think too much about where exactly the other side of the bridge leads.

 If Yoshiro becomes a spiritual stone, or if one dies as a person, the day may come when one is enshrined as a god.

People rarely become gods.

In reality, however, there are many human beings who are enshrined as gods.

I think Soh and Yoshiro definitely have a little theme of 'fox' between them. Who doesn't like foxes?

Being a god, and being enshrined as a god and worshiped as one are different things. This seems to be relevant to Kunitsu-Gami.

(The difference between being a god and being worshipped as one...I had never thought of it that way...)

They're so kind to answer my questions and comments, especially with the language barrier.

Let's look at the theory! I'll be translating it thrice this time but only posting the 2 best ones. I'm using Google Translate and DeepL this time.

What is a Kami?
Kami are extraordinary beings, and include not only good and noble, but also evil and filthy.

Kōjin-sama
The spirits of ancestors of the same clan and lineage enshrined in small settlements such as Namyo (each village in the game).*(During the Showa period, the rituals could not be continued by the same clan and family members alone, and were performed jointly with others.) The range is narrower than clans connected by bloodline, and only single families live in Meikotoge and Enri Village.

Immediately after death, the soul is impure, but it is purified through rituals and memorial services, and after 33 years, the spirits of the clan and lineage can join the Honzan Kōjin, the ancestors of the clan, by performing Shikinen Kagura.

What is Kami?
Kami is something uncommon, and includes not only good and noble, but also evil and unholy.

Aragami Koujin-sama
Ancestral spirits of the same family and lineage who are worshipped in small villages (each village in the game)*1 such as Meiyou; they are smaller in scope than clans connected by bloodline, and Meikou-toge and Enri-mura are home to only single families.

The souls are unclean immediately after death, but are purified through rituals and offerings, and after 33 years, they can perform shikinen kagura and join the head temple Aragami, the ancestral spirits of the family and clan.

Hmmm. Okay...

Sin is
not only intentional crimes and immorality, but also disasters, illnesses, and all other ugly, impure, and unpleasant things*(According to the theory of Norinaga Motoori). "Artificial, dangerous, and impure acts"*( Shrine Iroha Glossary, Religious Edition, p. 247)

It is said that sin and impurity bring terrible disasters and punishments, so they must be exorcised and purified.

"Amatsusami Kunitsusami"
"Amatsusami" refers to immorality against the public, such as agricultural interference and sacrilege*(Kojiki).

It originates from the evil deeds of Susanoo, such as destroying ridges and skinning live horses, but the Oharae no Kotoba refers to "people born into the country who are promised to develop and grow"*(Niridemuno), that is, the sins that humans commit by mistake, and does not mean "sins committed by Amatsukami."

"Kunitsusami" refers to personal immorality and defects.

Sins that go against human morality, such as personal injury, cursing people or livestock, and sexual immorality.

Disasters can come from natural phenomena such as lightning or insects, or from supernatural phenomena such as thunder gods or tengu.

Sin is
considered to include not only intentional crimes and immorality, but also disasters, diseases, and all other ugly, unholy, and disgusting things*(According to the theory of Norinaga Motoori). “Artificial, dangerous, and impure acts ”*(Shrine Iroha Glossary, Religious Edition, p. 247)

Sin and unholy things must be purged and purified because they invite terrible disasters and punishment.

heavenly and earthly crimes
The term “ heavenly crimes” refers to immorality*( Kojiki) against the public, such as obstruction of agriculture and desecration of the sacred, and derives from Susanoo's misdeeds, such as breaking a ridge between rice fields and skinning a live horse, but in the exorcism, it refers to the “people who are born in the country and promised to be developed*(Niridemuno),” that is, to the crimes committed by humans, and not to "the crimes committed by the god Amatsu. The “kokutsujinjin” does not mean “the sins committed by the gods of Amatsu”.

Earthly crimes refers to personal immorality or defects.
Crimes and sins that fall outside of human morality, such as bodily injury, cursing people or livestock, and sexual immorality.

There are “calamities” caused by natural phenomena such as lightning or insects, or by supernatural phenomena such as thunder gods or tengu.

This is scroll Kunitsutsumi.

Interesting differences between types of sin. So, the villagers were guilty of the latter...

The difference between sin and impurity
Sin is something that can be exorcised.

Sin can be exorcised through penance, such as offering up an item or having one's nails removed, or through social sanctions, and the elimination of one's sins can be achieved.

Offering money as an offering and throwing beans are also forms of purification.

In the game, the crystals obtained through the purification of wails act as currency that can be used to change jobs or attain spiritual success, so this is roughly accurate.

Difference between sin and impurity 
Sin is to be purified.

Sin is to be purged through atonement or social sanctions, such as the payment of a gift or the removal of fingernails, in order to extinguish the guilt or impurity.

Money-making and bean-throwing are also a type of exorcism.

In the game, the crystals obtained through the purification of awe-inspiring wailing serve as a currency that can be used to change jobs or spiritual paths, which is about right.

Relevant Twitter post.

Impurity is a purification ritual (rinsing with water).
Mizugori (water purification) and chozu (purification with water) are also types of purification ritual. It also includes discarding clothing, belongings, and other items worn on the body.

Impurity is also called kikare-kigare (a state of being without vitality) or kiri-kigare (a state of being without vitality).*(Tanikawa Shigeki and others)

It is a physiological or social abnormality, and is said to mainly include death, childbirth, and eating meat, but the scope of its meaning has expanded over time.*(Funerals, visits, pregnancy, menstruation, livestock births) *(It is described as an abnormal state in which parts of the body, such as hair or blood, are separated from the main body and also have special powers.)

It was believed that impurity was highly contagious, and that contact with it would threaten the community and bring disaster. It was believed that it spread through people's movements and dining out, and dates for mourning were set.

Although it is something that should be avoided as it brings disaster, it has the religious significance of death and rebirth, in that by purifying oneself from an old impure state through misogi, one is resurrected into a new life.

Even within the game, the idea is based on the idea that "by purifying oneself of sins and impurities, one can gain great power," which doesn't seem to be far removed from Shinto concepts.

Purification of dirt is misogi (rinsing with water).
Mizu-irisu mizugoriri and te-mizu are also forms of misogi. It also includes throwing away things worn, such as clothing and personal belongings.

Misogi is also referred to as “ki-kare-kigare” or “ki-rei-kigare”, and is considered to be a state of “lack of vigour”*( Tanikawa Shigeki and others)

It is a physiological or socially abnormal state, mainly death, childbirth and meat eating, but its scope has expanded over time*(Funerals, visits, pregnancy, menstruation, livestock births). *(It is described as an abnormal state in which parts of the body, such as hair or blood, are separated from the main body and also have special powers.)

Misogi has a strong infectious power and is considered to threaten the community and bring disaster if it is associated with them. It was considered to be It was believed to be spread by the movement of people and by eating at meals, and a schedule was set up for ablutions and other such events.

Although it is something to be avoided, it has a religious significance of death and rebirth, as it is possible to revive a new life by purification through misogi-exorcism from an old, defiled state.

The game is also based on the idea that by misogi-exorcising sins and defilements, great power can be gained, which does not seem to be far removed from the Shinto concept.

Very interesting...and seems to be part of what's happening in Kunitsu-Gami.

When Soh purifies Cursed Soh, she obtains great power.

What is "blood impurity"?
Since this is a mountain god game, blood impurity is limited to childbirth.

The reason why childbirth is considered impure is not clear, but the "Ryoshu Kairyoshu no Ge (Legal Commentary)" interprets it as "you should not look at a woman giving birth" based on the myth of Toyotama-hime.

There are theories that this is because childbirth is close to death, or that it is to suppress the strong vitality or magical power of blood itself*(The formation of the idea of ​​impurity in ancient Japan.)

What is “blood defilement”? 
Since this is a mountain god game, blood defilement is limited to childbirth.

The reason why childbirth was regarded as an impurity is not clear, and in the “Jishu Kai Ryōshū Noge (Commentary on the Laws)”, the interpretation is based on the myth of the Toyota Mabime: “You must not see a woman giving birth”.

Some believe that this is because childbirth is close to death, or to suppress the strong vital and magical power of the blood itself*(The formation of the idea of ​​impurity in ancient Japan.)

Hmmmm. 

The Twelve Deities
The mountain god is said to have a strong vitality and gives birth to one child each month, and is also known as the Twelve Deities.

Villagers have twelve masks, which can be retrieved in the Great Impurity or Blood Impurity battles.

Although it's an indirect expression, villagers are also creatures that live in the mountains, so they are the children of the mountain god.

So, with all of this in mind, let's look for the answer to the mountain god's quiz, "Do you know why I'm angry?"

Twelve masks
Mountain Gods are also known as the Twelve Gods, as they are believed to have one child each month with their vigorous vitality.

The villagers have twelve masks, which can be retrieved in a great defilement or blood defilement battle.

Although this is an indirect expression, the villagers are also children of the mountain god, as they are mountain-dwelling creatures.

So, with the above in mind, the mountain god asks you, ‘Do you know why I am angry?’ Let's find out the answer to the quiz.

I remember reading about this and thought it was interesting but wasn't sure if it was relevant to Kunitsu-Gami. Could the ancestral deities be children of the Goddess? Probably not...?

The cause of the Yamatsumi's anger
The villagers are just living normal lives

When you read the villagers' profiles, there are stories of family love and hard work, and no villains.

It doesn't seem to be in proportion to the devastation caused by the attack by Awe, but Capcom is truly sane because this unreasonableness is very typical of a mountain god.

So, what crimes have the villagers committed?

The cause of the Mountain Gods' anger 
Villagers living normally 

If you read the profiles of the villagers, they are all episodes of family love and earnest work, and there are no bad people.

It doesn't seem to be balanced by the devastation caused by the awe-inspiring attack, but Capcom is really sane because this unreasonableness is really like the Mountain Gods.

Now, what on earth could the villagers be guilty of?

This is quite funny...

A Promise with the Mountain God
The villagers wear masks during festivals.

The explanation of Adashino Village also mentions that it used to be a lively place for festivals and that "preparations for the festival must be resumed," so the festivals themselves are being held.

However, they may have forgotten the origins and significance of the festivals.

One answer could be that "Kagura dance is not performed" at the end of the first round.

Promises to the mountain gods
Villagers spend the festival season wearing masks.

The explanation of the village of Kakano Adashi also states that the rituals used to be lively and ‘resume ritual preparations’, so the rituals themselves are being held.

However, the origin and significance of the ritual may have been forgotten.

One answer would be that ‘no kagura is being performed’ at the end of the first round.

Adding this here.

Kagura "God of the Mountain"

A representative Kagura piece is "God of the Mountain."

During the Ama-no-Iwato Cave, Amenokoyane-no-Mikoto cut the sakaki trees without Oyamatsumi's permission, and Oyamatsumi took them back.

The villagers of Magafukuyama gained permission to live on the mountain by respectfully worshipping it and performing a ritual to ward off impurity.

While it brings abundance to humans, it "threatens plants, nature, family, and other things that live on the mountain."

In other words, just by people living on the mystical mountain, sin and impurity arise.

Kagura ‘Mountain God’ 

‘Mountain God’ is a typical kagura performance.

In the Ama-no-Iwato episode, Amenokoyane-no-mikoto harvested sakaki without Ooyamatsumi's permission, and Ooyamatsumi took it back.

The villagers of Mount Kafuku were given permission to live on the mountain by respectfully worshipping the mountain and performing a ritual of defilement.

While they bring affluence to humans, they also ‘threaten plants, nature, households and other things that live in the mountains’.

In other words, the mere presence of people living on the sacred mountains causes sin and defilement.

I need to look at this Kagura perfomance...

The curse of Fukuyama, where purification is impossible
Even if you try to wash away the impurity with water, Lake Yuminari is a poisonous swamp, as "the lake, which has been purified of impurities so many times, has eventually begun to produce impurity itself."

In Shinto, purified impurities flow down the mountain, down the river, and into the bottom of the sea, where they finally disappear, but in the world of Kunitsu-Gami, there are rivers but no seas*10.

Unpurified misfortune and mountain
defilement can be rinsed out with water, but Lake Yumi-no-Ko is a poisonous swamp, as it is said that ‘after purifying the defilement many times, the lake has come to produce its own defilement’.

In Shinto, the purified impurities go from the mountains down rivers to the bottom of the sea and finally disappear, but in the Kunitsu-Gami world, there are rivers but no sea*(See the shaman's votive plaque.)

Invisible impurities are attached to an object and then flushed away. These objects are called "haraetsumono."
Nowadays, "katashiro" made of hemp or paper cut into the shape of a person is used. The impurities are transferred to the object by blowing on it or stroking the body.

The role of each generation is to become a "katashiro" that takes on the impurities of the villages. In fact, the generation icons are shaped like katashiro.

Invisible impurities are attached to some object and flushed away. This object was called “purification pillar haraetsumono”.
In modern times, hemp or paper cut into the shape of a human being is used. The defilements are transferred by blowing on the paper or stroking the body.

The role of the generation is to be the “katashiro” who takes on the defilement of the villages. The actual icon of the generation is shaped in a way that is reminiscent of the katashiro.

Katashiro are a type of yorishiro—ceremonial objects used as a substitution for someone or something. Specifically they are used as a substitution for a person during a ritual. They are commonly used in purification rituals, where a person’s sins are transferred into the katashiro. The karashiro is then discarded into a river or body of water, taking the sin away with it. (X)

!!! I often said that Yoshiro is more like an 'object' than a girl but I couldn't quite explain myself.

I'm glad they aren't throwing the girls in the lake.

Promise with the Mountain God
The concept of "promise" or "contract with the god" often comes up in the context of mountain gods and hunting.

This involved following the rules of hunting, holding rituals, offering game and sake, or sacrificing a daughter to Yamata no Orochi every year.

Promises to mountain gods
The concept of “promises” or “contracts with gods” comes up frequently in mountain gods and hunting.

This was to observe the rules of the hunt, perform rituals, offer sacrifices of game and wine, or to sacrifice one daughter to the Yamata no Orochi every year.

This post has some nice background to the lore. 

I know the translations were messy at times but hopefully they are understandable.