While continuing my research, I stumbled upon the existence of the shrine that is perhaps the origin of the sleeping priestess.
The shrine is very small and hidden away within the depths of a mountain. It appeared just as in the drawing.
There are normally no worshippers and according to stories from the small village nearby, it is a shrine where you could "offer your pain".
When I called upon the head of the family, she said they allow visitors until the snow melts.
They carry out a rite here to protect a sacred area in the mountain. Men are not allowed in the rite, but it seems every few years they invite men in order to continue the bloodline. They call them "outsiders." I think that I've heard of a similar custom.
The guests who come in winter while the snow falls all hide their faces and pull large bundles on wagons.
It resembles a funeral procession.
The rite carried out on their behalf must be connected to the song of the "sleeping priestess".
Folklore Notes 1
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Folklore Notes 1 | |
| |
| Kanji | 民俗学者の手帳 一 みんぞく がくしゃ の てちょう いち |
| Game | Fatal Frame III: The Tormented |
| Author | Akito Kashiwagi |
| Chapter | Hour III: The Subduing Song |
| Located at | Projection Room |
| Obtained | On bookshelf behind the screen |
| Description | Old notes found on the bookshelf in the room with the projector. Contains observations on the manor. |
| Additional Description | Among all the tattered old books on the shelf is one with a spine that looks newer than the others. |
| Related Notes | Folklore Notes 2 & Folklore Notes 3 |
蒐集を続けるうち、眠り巫女の発祥であろ
う神社の存在を知るに至つた。
その神社は、奥深い山にひつそりと建つ小
さなものである。まさに、あの絵図の通り
であつた。
平素は参拝者は居らず、近くにある小さな
集落にて話を聞くに「柊を納める」神社で
あるらしい。
当主らしき女に話を聞いたところ、雪解け
まで客人として滞在を許された。
ここでは山にある聖地を守る儀式を行つて
居り、その儀式には男が禁忌である為、
数年に一度客人を招き入れて血を守るのだ
そうである。その客人はニイナエと呼ばれ
るそうであるが、世に云ふマレビトと同じ
風習であると思はれる。
冬、雪の降る中、やつてくる参拝者は皆顔
を隠し、台車で大きな袋を引いてゐる。
その姿は、どこか葬列のやうに見える。
彼らの為に行はれる儀式が「眠り巫女」の
唄に繋がる儀式なのだらうか。