As ever, the caretaker of this prison offers no words for me-his mouth is shut tight.
It's an attitude that stands in stark contrast to how I was treated when I first arrived in Minakami.
Regardless, by all accounts, this facility appears to double as a library, filled to the brim with precious ancient texts, the likes of which I've never seen.
This should allow me to continue my research.
Whether my work ever sees the light of day is another matter.
The Abyss
It's impossible for me to say when, precisely, the Abyss first appeared. However, it has existed in this land since ancient times, a hole in the earth connecting our ephemeral realm to Hell. Should the cover obscuring it ever be lifted, they say, a terrible disaster will occur.
It is thought that the myths and legends surrounding the Gate to Hell in these parts stem from this location. So feared is it, in fact, that in many ancient texts and manuscripts the name is forbidden, referenced only as 
. The pain and suffering of those sacrificed are believed to power the seal that contains the Abyss, holding back its wrath.
Mourners
Mourners are people who stand guard over the Abyss, as well as make the necessary preparations for the ritual to take place.
Only they appear able to approach the Abyss proper.
When the year of the ceremony arrives, the members of the families who serve as mourners stitch their eyes shut so that they do not gaze upon that which they protect.
People who break the village taboo and glimpse the Abyss are themselves made into mourners.
Then, they must live out the rest of their days below ground.
It makes me wonder just how terrible the place could really be, to forbid even the mere sight of it with such a heavy hand.
Folklorist's Note 18
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 This page contains spoilers for a recent release. |
For the version of this note that appears in Fatal Frame II, see Folklorist's Note 9 (FF2).- For the version of this note that appears in Deep Crimson Butterfly, see Folk Scholar's Writings IX.
Folklorist's Note 18 | |
| |
| Kanji | 民俗学者の手記 十八 みんぞくがくしゃのしゅき じゅうはち |
| Game | Crimson Butterfly Remake |
| Author | Seijiro Makabe |
| Chapter | Chapter 4: The Hidden Ceremony |
| Located at | |
| Obtained | |
| Description | Written remarks from a folklore scholar who came to study Minakami Village, explaining the latest findings of his research while imprisoned. |
| Related Notes | Folklorist's Note 1, Folklorist's Note 2, Folklorist's Note 3, Folklorist's Note 4, Folklorist's Note 5, Folklorist's Note 6, Folklorist's Note 7, Folklorist's Note 8, Folklorist's Note 8, Folklorist's Note 10, Folklorist's Note 11, Folklorist's Note 12, Folklorist's Note 13, Folklorist's Note 14, Folklorist's Note 15, Folklorist's Note 16, Folklorist's Note 17, Folklorist's Note 19, Folklorist's Note 20 |
相変わらず、牢の世話役は口を閉ざし、一切のこ
とを話そうとしない。
村にやってきたときとは、うってかわった態度だ。
この座敷牢は書庫もかねているらしく、今までに
見られなかった重要な古文書が大量に保管され
ている。
さらに研究は進められるだろう。
たとえそれが、誰の目に触れなくとも。
虚（うつろ）
いつの時代か分からないが、古からこの地に存
在し、現世と黄泉をつなぐとされている穴。
蓋が開かれると、恐ろしい災厄が起こるといわれ
る。
この地に伝わる「黄泉の門」伝説の源だと思われ
る。様々な古文書や文書では忌み語とされ、
「
」と記されている。贄となる者の苦しみが、
虚を封じる力となるとされている。
忌人（いみびと）
虚を守り、祭りの準備のために仕える人々。
虚に近づくことができるのは、彼らだけだという。
忌人となる家の者は、祭りが行われる年になる
と、虚を覗き見ぬように目を縫われる。
村の禁を破り、虚を覗いたものも忌人とされる。
彼らはその後ずっと地下で暮らし、二度と戻るこ
とはないという。
それほどまでに見ることを禁じられた場所という
のは、どのようなものなのだろうか。