Shadow Reading
Shadow reading (影見 kagemi; "shadow-viewing") is a term used in Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water. It is the ability to see the secrets of objects when handling them, and involves following the traces or "shadows" of the past, in order to find lost items or even, at some risk, missing people.[1] Personal items known as tokens are imbued with strong residual memories and emotions, and create a much clearer trace for the practitioner to follow.[2] The Camera Obscura may be used to aid the process, since it captures things hidden by ghostly powers, but carries a risk of drawing the seeker closer to the spirit world themselves.[3][4]
Shadow Reading has been passed down since the olden days around Mount Hikami. In the present day it is a rare skill, and those who still practice it are said to be descended from the shrine maidens.[5] In the game, all the playable characters have this ability to some extent. Hisoka Kurosawa learned it from an old woman of her acquaintance, and uses it to find lost items for clients, or occasionally to bring back missing people. She is training Yuri Kozukata in its use as well. Ren Hojo and Miu Hinasaki are also able to follow traces and use Glancing on ghosts; Miu learns the skill after seeing Yuri do it, and Ren gains the ability from his Camera Obscura.
References
- ↑ The Art of Shadow Reading, Fatal Frame V
- ↑ Memo: Tokens, Fatal Frame V
- ↑ Hisoka Kurosawa dialogue, First Drop: "The Camera Obscura photographs the Netherworld, a whole other world separate from our own. That world that we see through the lens is not unlike the afterlife. Make sure not to draw too much interest from the things you see. If you aren't careful, you might be drawn into the Netherworld yourself."
- ↑ Miu Hinasaki dialogue, Eleventh Drop: "Using the Camera Obscura makes me feel closer to the other side. [...] Is that why my mother was spirited away? Because she used a Camera Obscura?"
- ↑ Memo: Shadow Reading, Fatal Frame V