View source for Sacrificial Pillars

Sacrificial pillars, also known as "taboo pillars"<ref>[[Yuu's Notes 4]], [[Zero Shisei no Koe Complete Official Capture Book]]</ref> (忌柱), "human columns"<ref>[[Rei's notebook]]: [[RN:Human columns|Human columns]], [[Fatal Frame III: The Tormented]]</ref> and hitobashira (人柱) <ref>[[Many Bones Found|城跡より多数の人骨]], [[Fatal Frame III: The Tormented|零～刺青の聲～]]</ref>, are human sacrifices dedicated to a specific purpose, usually strengthening a castle, bridge or other man-made structure. The practice is frequently mentioned in Japanese folklore, though it is uncertain whether it was ever really carried out. A particularly well-known example is that of Matsue Ohashi Bridge, where, according to the folklorist Lafcadio Hearn, a man by the name of Gensuke was sacrificed to fortify a bridge that was constantly being washed away. An annual festival is still held to appease the spirits of Gensuke and others who lost their lives during the construction of the bridge.

==Fatal Frame II==
In the Japanese version of [[Fatal Frame II]], [[Ritual Tome]], concerning the creation of a [[Kusabi]], is named "Ritual Document: Hitobashira", although this was not directly translated into English. The Kusabi is an [[outsider]] sacrificed to the [[Hellish Abyss]]. The greater his suffering during the [[Cutting Ritual|ritual]], the more the Abyss would be calmed.

==Fatal Frame III==
[[Image:FilePhoto Stains on Wall.png|right|250px]]
In [[Fatal Frame III]], sacrificial pillars were [[Shrine Carpenters]] who were sacrificed after their work was completed. They were then enshrined within the walls of the building in order to consecrate it and offer greater protection against calamity.

Sacrificial pillars were used in the [[Kuze Shrine]] throughout its history - in one case, two generations before [[Yashuu Kuze]], several members of the [[Tengai Narumi|Narumi clan]] were sacrificed following extensive repairs to the shrine<ref>[[Yuu's Notes 4]], [[Zero Shisei no Koe Complete Official Capture Book]]</ref> - but particularly after the [[Unleashing]], in order to slow the spread of the [[Rift]]. First the lower-status shrine carpenters were killed and encased in the walls of the [[Stained Corridor]], then the [[Engraved Men]] submitted voluntarily to be made into pillars and buried alive,<ref>[[Tape "The Same Dream 2"]], [[Fatal Frame III: The Tormented]]</ref> and finally, as a last and desperate measure, the Master Builder committed suicide in the Sacrificial Pillar room in order to become a cornerstone. The [[Grave Mound|grave mound]] in the [[Grave Courtyard]] was dedicated to the dead carpenters. [[Kushimi Doll|Kushimi dolls]], red ones representing the carpenters and four white ones representing the [[Engraved Men]], were also placed in the [[Spirit Tree Garden]], in the hope that the deified spirits would guard the boundary between the real world and the spirit world.<ref>[[Yuu's Notes 4]], [[Zero Shisei no Koe Complete Official Capture Book]]</ref>

==Fatal Frame V==
In [[Fatal Frame V]], [[Maiden of Black Water|shrine maidens]] of [[Mount Hikami]] were placed in [[reliquaries]] and sunk as pillars to purify the [[black water]] and preserve the seal on the mountain.<ref>[[FF5M:Ose Kurosawa|Fatal Frame V Memo: Ose Kurosawa]], [[Fatal Frame V]]</ref> The strength of the individual pillar depended on the maiden's spiritual power, and could be enhanced by joining her to an [[outsider]] in a ceremony known as [[Ghost Marriage]]. The ideal outcome was for a maiden to become an [[Immortal Flower]], who would endure a long time, untainted by the black water. The strongest sacrifices were sunk in the [[Shadowspring]], the source of the black water, and became Great Pillars, protecting and purifying the whole mountain.

The rituals of Mount Hikami were loosely based on Sokushinbutsu, Buddhist monks who mummified themselves in boxes as a way of attaining enlightenment.<ref>''The Shrine Maidens'', Project Zero: Maiden of Black Water Limited Edition Artbook, p42</ref>

==References==
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[[Category:Fatal Frame III]]
[[Category:Fatal Frame V]]
[[Category:Terminology]]