Strangling Ritual
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The Strangling Ritual is the primary ritual of the Himuro Mansion. It is always performed on December 13th, 10 years after the prior sacrifice.[1] It is a Shinto ritual that has been performed by the Himuro Family since ancient times.[2] The ritual involves the Rope Shrine Maiden being sacrificed and the ropes, saturated with her blood, are then used to bind the Hell Gate shut until the next ritual must be performed.
Preparation
Of the girls participating in the Demon Tag Ritual, the last caught is chosen to be the next Rope Shrine Maiden. She is then taken from her family and cut off from the outside world for 3,669 days[1] (roughly 10 years). The four priests that care for her wear masks to prevent her from becoming attached to them, and therefore the living world. She is designated certain days in which she is allowed outside, though which days are not clear. Overall, the maiden must be kept completely detached from the world and must be willing to die. If she retains the will to live at the time of her death, or is emotionally conflicted, the Strangling Ritual will fail.
The Ritual
When it is time for the ritual, the Rope Shrine Maiden is taken from her cell to the Moon Well to purify herself in the moonlight. She then enters the basement through a door that only she is allowed to use, located at the bottom of the Moon Well.[3] The rest of the Himuro family must use the Demon Mouth entrance to access the basement. Both of these paths cross and lead to the ceremony chamber. The the family master leads the maiden, the priests, and the rest of the Himuro family down, while the priests walk alongside the maiden.
There is a large pedestal with five wheels in the chamber, which ropes are attached to and pulled by. The Rope Shrine Maiden is put on the pedestal, and ropes are tied around her wrists, ankles, and neck. The order is right arm, left arm, right leg, left leg.[4] The head is not specified. The ropes are then attached to the wheels and turned, one by each of the four priests. The family master turns the wheel connected to the maiden's head. She is pulled limb from limb and sacrificed.
Result
Laceration Rope is produced with which the Ceremony of the Ropes is then performed.[5]
Disaster
The last Strangling Ritual, performed on December 13th, 1837, failed and caused the Calamity. As a result, the Malice escaped and 1,347 souls were lost.[6]
Alternative Names
- Gates of the Underworld Ceremony[5]
- Rope Ritual
- 裂き縄の儀式 (Ritual of the Tearing Apart by Ropes)