Incense and the Tsuba Guards.

While doing some Taoism research, I discovered incense is a way to communicate with the 12 Divine Generals.

 In Taoism you can use incense to communicate with the Divine generals. The Tsuba guards(containing the divine generals' powers) charge with incense! 

That's how I learnt that the 12 Divine Generals are associated with the animal zodiac and that it's a very common idea in Eastern myth!

Soh's sword is said contain the power of the 12 generals. Remember how she can fast forward and rewind time using it? And we see the animal zodiac?

But, more on incense...

Ten has a post on the Tsuba Guard power.

The world of "Kunitsugami" (Path of the Goddess) as seen through its design: The spiritual power of the tsuba.

Isn't that beautiful?

The 12 Tsuba Guards are the 12 divine general's powers. Incense is used to communicate with them.

So the Tsuba Guard gauge being incense fits perfectly because we need it to be 'full' in order to use the power of the generals! (We are offering incense to them)

Taoist Incense Culture

Shinto has its roots in Taoism so they have much in common. That's why I wonder if the Shinto present in Kunitsu-Gami is closer to Taoism.

(I know it's correct English to write out 'twelve' but that's just for books, right? I prefer using 12.)

Yoshiro's Spirit Fingers.

The sword fingers gesture from Taoism? Since Kunitsu-Gami is set in ancient Japan, the Shinto influences might be actually be also Taoist...?

Shinto is said to have evolved from Taoism. Shinto uses the sword finger gesture as well.

"Telling the God a message as you move it around"

Isn't this exactly what she's doing during Kagura?

Another picture of the gesture? She does something different at times with her left hand.

Credit