Shrine of the Ephemeral

Shrine of the Ephemeral Kanji 幽ノ宮 （かくれ の みや） Game Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water Located at Mount Hikami Function Shrine Status Abandoned

The Shrine of the Ephemeral is a large Shinto shrine near the summit of Mount Hikami, said to have been the central location of the mountain's religion.

History

Built close to the Shadowspring, the Shrine of the Ephemeral was one of the first barriers built to defend against the Black Water. Three great pillars were enshrined there as statues, eternally watching over the caskets, the Forbidden Flame, and the Shrine on the Water; all the lanterns of the shrine burned with the Forbidden Flame as well, purifying the waters that flowed through on their way down the mountain. The strongest Maidens of Black Water would pass through the shrine and pay their respects to the three statues of the Great Pillars, then take the Boat of Passage across the lake to the Shrine on the Water. In an inner room of the shrine, Tainted sacrifices who were unable to withstand the pain of the black water were immersed in coffins full of Pure Water, ready to be sent to the other side.

Modern Day

During the tourist revival of Mount Hikami, a cable car station was built nearby, allowing visitors to reach the shrine easily and admire the countless lanterns hanging in the main hall. After the mountain was abandoned again, people reported seeing maidens inside the shrine.

Miu Hinasaki visits the shrine in search of her mother, but is imprisoned in a casket until Yuri Kozukata rescues her. Yuri passes through again in search of Hisoka, gaining the permission of the three Great Pillars to cross the the Shrine on the Water.

Misc. Info

• The Japanese name "Kakure-no-miya" is likely a play on "Kakuriyo" ("Hidden World" or "Netherworld"), giving the shrine associations with afterlife.
• The lantern hall was inspired by the Hall of Lamps in Okunoin Temple, Mount Koya. Makoto Shibata had an unsettling experience during his visit to Mt. Koya, when the train he was on stopped in the middle of a forest and a technical malfunction caused an announcement that the train had reached the last stop on the line. This inspired the incident in the Sixth Drop when the cable car shuts down and Miu and Yuri are forced to make their way down the mountain on foot.