"The Camera Obscura"
Luckily, with regards to my research on Minakami Village, I was able to borrow some items from a good friend of mine. That friend is Kunihiko Asou. As a researcher of the Spirit World, he as such has dealt with many people with unusual beliefs, and we share an interest in the wondrous and mysterious. He is currently researching a strange machine called the "Camera Obscura". It seems as though this camera can create pictures of the world which only mediums can see. Not only does taking pictures of ghosts capture their images, it also has an exorcismal effect. When I borrowed this machine I also took with me the "Spirit Stone Radio", a device upon which special crystals can be mounted, allowing the residual thoughts dwelling within them to be listened to. Using these items, I believe that I can create a record of the Hell Gate and its surroundings. Once I have completed this research, we may be able to use the information to confirm what Asou's subjects have stated. I will do whatever it takes.
Editor's Note
It seems as though Dr. Asou gave Mr. Makabe a prototype Camera Obscura, and I have found a few remaining records which suggest the existence of more prototypes. Dr. Asou continued researching a way to completely seal spirits and the like using the camera, visiting many well-known areas as he did so, and learnt that it would take a medium with a powerful sixth sense to be able to perform the sealing action. He heard of a district in which the old Himuro family had resided, in possession of an item called the "Holy Mirror", and after writing in his diary that he would visit the area, he failed to return. After Dr. Asou's death, a number of prototype cameras were discovered in the house, but their current whereabouts is unknown. They must be quietly slumbering somewhere. In a second-hand shop, for example, or an abandoned house somewhere...
Tamashizume: The Camera Obscura
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The English content of this page features unofficial fan translations. |
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「射影機」
皆神村を取材するにあたって、私は親友からあるものを借り受けた。その親友とは、麻生邦彦。霊界を研究する学者で、人々からは異端児扱いされていたが、不思議と私たちは気があった。彼は「射影機」と呼ばれる不思議な機械を研究していた。霊能者だけが見える世界を、写真機でとらえようというのだ。ただ姿をとらえるというのではなく、除霊に似た効果も得ることができる。また、同時に霊石という特殊な鉱石を装着することで、その石に宿った残留思念を聞くことができる「霊石ラジオ」というものも借りた。私はこれらを使って、「黄泉の門」とそれにまつわる様々なものを記録したいと考えている。私がこの研究に成功するということは、麻生の研究もまた人々に認められるということだからだ。なんとしてもうまくやってみせる。
※編集部注
麻生博士は真壁清次郎先生が行方不明になったあとも、射影機の研究をかさねていたようです。真壁先生に渡した射影機は試作機だったらしく、他にも何台かの試作機が存在したという記録が残っています。麻生博士はこの射影機で霊などを完全に封印する研究まで進めていて、名地を調べ歩いた結果、封印まで行なうには霊的に強力な力を持つ媒体が必要ということを知ったようです。その媒体が、とある地方の氷室家という旧家の「御神鏡」だと知り、そこへ向かうと日記に記したまま帰らぬ人となっています。麻生博士の死後、屋敷から発見された数台の試作機の行方はわからないままです。これらは、どこかにひっそりと眠っているに違いありません。例えば、古道具屋で、もしくはどこかの廃屋で・・・・・。