Accompanied by a maiden known as a Guardian, I shall observe one of the most important Kagura festivals in the country and test out the Camera Obscura.
This Rogetsu Kagura starts as a gentle dance and becomes more and more intense. It is said that, at the climax, many people collapse from the intoxicating excitement.
Some also suffer from a condition known as "moonlust" at the time of the Kagura.
This moonlust may be caused by the soul not returning completely after becoming one with the spirits during the trance state of the Kagura. It may also be caused when the soul returns, but has changed.
As the Guardians are of a bloodline that is easily possessed by spirits, they undergo training before the Kagura. I have heard the legends of the Guardians, and they are most fascinating. They say that, to the dead, the souls of the living appear like bundles of noise called "Moonsounds," which are different for everyone.
The Moonsound becomes higher when one is angry, trembles when one is confused, and becomes lower when one is sad, but its music never changes.
However, if a person suffers from moonlust, their Moonsound becomes distorted and broken.
As superstitions go, the idea that people are made of music is an attractive one.
There is more to the legends of the Guardians. The maidens themselves have the role of playing various melodies in order to preserve the proper Moonsounds.
These melodies cannot cure moonlust, but they are said to be able to treat various conditions.
The idea of curing disease through prayer is not unusual, but even in my extensive research of the supernatural, I have yet to hear of direct healing through music.
The Guardian maidens say they can hear my Moonsound and that it's a pleasant one. Despite saying some strange things, all of the priestesses have a surprisingly modern mindset, and are kind, intelligent and beautiful.
I do so wish they could accompany me to my next destination.
Rogetsu Kagura Chronicle
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Rogetsu Kagura Chronicle | |
| |
| Kanji | 朧月神楽鑑賞記 ろうげつ かぐら かんしょう き |
| Game | Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse |
| Author | Dr. Kunihiko Asou |
| Chapter | Phase IX: Descent |
| Located at | Birth Chamber |
| Obtained | After leaving the tunnels, on top of the big altar |
| Description | Professor Asou's record of the Kagura. |
| Additional Description | Found an old book. |
| Related Notes | Dr. Asou's Note 1, Dr. Asou's Note 2, Professor Asou's Notes (3) & Prof. Asou's Mask Inquiries |
「月守」と呼ばれた巫女に
付き添われて朧月神楽を鑑賞し、
射影機の試し撮りを行う。
朧月神楽は、里神楽の中では
非常に大きなものだ。
静かな舞から、次第に荒々しいものに変わり、
神楽が最高潮に達すると、興奮のためか、
酩酊が極まり気を失うものも出てくる。
神楽の際に、「月歩き」という
病になるものが現れる。
「月歩き」というのは、憑き物の
変節なのであろう。
神楽にて脱魂し、御霊を迎えた後、
自分の魂が戻りきらない、もしくは
戻った魂が変化した
ために起きるのではないのか。
月守の巫女も憑きやすい血筋にあたり、
神楽の際には修行をして望むらしい。
月守の巫女の伝承を聞いたが、
実に興味深い。
人は死者から見ると音の塊にみえるという。
その音を「月の音」といい、
人は皆それぞれ異なる音をもっている。
「月の音」は人となりを表す
ようなものなのだ。
不思議なことに、月の音は、
その人が怒れば高まり、
迷えば揺れ、悲しめば低くなるが、
音自体は変わらない。
だが、月歩きになれば、月の音は歪み、
壊れてしまう。
それにしても、人が音の固まりだとは、
迷信にしても魅力的な迷信だ。
そして月守の巫女は、さまざまな調べを奏で、
月の音をただしく澄んだ音にする
役目があるという。
月歩きで壊れてしまうと治せないが、
さまざまな病とを治したという伝承がある。
祈祷による治療は珍しくないが、
音を使ったものは聞いたことが無い。
彼女にも、私の音が見えるらしい。
なかなか良い音だそうだ。
たまに奇妙なことを言うが、
月守の巫女はみな現代的な思考を持ち、
理知に富み、優しく、美しい。
次の旅先にも付き添ってもらいたいものだ。
Additional Information
- The Rogetsu Kagura is described as a village kagura, or sato kagura (里神楽), is a distinction created between rural folk customs and the formal court rituals of imperial kagura, or mikagura (御神楽).
- When Asou comments on moonlust, what he really says is, "This 'moonlust' is probably a characteristic nickname for tsukimono (possession)." Despite not knowing the name "night walking", Asou is likely able to make this connection because "moonlust" (月歩き) and "night walking" (憑き歩き) share the same pronunciation: tsukiaruki.