Black water
Black water (夜泉, yomi, lit. "night spring") in Fatal Frame V is water that flows from the Netherworld.[1] The rituals of Mount Hikami were concerned with preventing the black water overflowing from the Shadowspring and flowing into the world of the living. In local folklore, black water is in direct opposition to Pure Water. It may appear as dark-coloured water, or as water pervaded by long black hair, the hair of the maidens sacrificed on the mountains.[2]
Contact with black water is lethal to the living, corroding their body and bringing them nearer the Netherworld. Eventually, their body is completely consumed and they become a ghost. Souls tainted by black water become corrupted and vengeful, similar to Malice in previous games. Black water flows from their eyes and mouths, and they try to pull the living into the Netherworld. Only the Forbidden Flame can cleanse black water.[3]
When Ose Kurosawa's ritual failed, vast amounts of black water erupted from her box, engulfing the whole mountainside. The spirits of those who had returned to the water were tainted, forced to repeat their last moments again and again.
Misc. Info
- In Japanese mythology, "yomi" (黄泉) is the name for the underworld.
References
- ↑ FF5 Memo: Black Water, Fatal Frame V
- ↑ Shadow-touched quote: "You must not allow yourself to be taken by the black water. It springs forth from the Netherworld. It is the Netherworld itself. But then, perhaps it is the raven-black hair of the maidens who were drowned in these waters."
- ↑ FF5 Memo: Tainted, Fatal Frame V