Rougetsu Island was once feared as "the island nearest to the underworld", but unlike in that bygone age it seems that the Rougetsu Archipelago is no longer an insular region that shuns visitors.
It is said that the island was once devastated by a great calamity, and that welcoming outsiders was as seen as an opportunity to recover.
Far from treating an unusual man like myself with hostility, they have introduced me to the precious culture tradition of the Rougetsu Kagura as well as beautiful local craftsmanship such as clouded moon engravings and radenwork. Even the head of the island seems to welcome me with open arms.
...And it is due to these unique traditions that I thought to come here, seeking materials to further develop the Camera Obscura.
On this island, the moon is an object of faith.
For them, as the sun is what reveals what is on the surface, the moon represents what is within, that is, memory and personality...and, by extension, the soul.
They believe that even after the body is destroyed the soul is connected to Other World, and that the moon acts as some sort of doorway leading there. I suppose then that the moon itself symbolizes the Other World.
There is a kagura to the returning souls of the dead, in which the masks of the island play a vital role.
The mask worn by the shrine maiden during the kagura becomes a point of contact between our world and the moon. In other words, it leads the dead to the Other World.
...A mask leading to the Other World. There is more than one type of mask on the island. In fact, it is said that there is a great variety. Examination of these masks should greatly advance my research into the Other World.
Professor Asou's Notes (2)
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The English content of this page features unofficial fan translations. |
Professor Asou's Notes (2) | |
| |
| Kanji | 麻生博士の手記 二 あそうはかせのしゅき に |
| Game | Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse |
| Author | Dr. Kunihiko Asou |
| Chapter | Phase I: The Summoning |
| Located at | Kunihiko Asou Museum |
| Obtained | On the floor beside the desk |
| Description | A note that was seemingly left behind by Dr. Asou. It's about Rougetsu Island. |
| Additional Description | The dust has been wiped off the fallen notebook. It's as if someone touched it recently... |
| Related Notes | Dr. Asou's Note 1, Dr. Asou's Note 3, Rougetsu Kagura Viewing Record & Dr. Asou's Masks Inquiry |
古くは「黄泉に近い島」として
畏れられていた朧月島だが、
今は以前とは違い、朧月群島の
人間以外は立ち入れぬような
閉鎖的な場所ではなくなったようだ。
かつて島が滅びかけるような
大きな災厄があったが、
そこから復興したことがきっかけだという。
私のような稀人を嫌うどころか、
朧月神楽といった貴重な文化や、
螺鈿細工や朧月彫りなどの
島の工芸品の美しさを紹介して
くれるのではと、むしろ長には
歓迎されているようだ。
⋯この島に射影機の材料を探しに来ようと
考えたのは、この島の特殊な信仰のためだ。
朧月島では、月を信仰の対象にしている。
この島では、表面に見える姿形を太陽と
すれば、月は内面、つまり、記憶や人格⋯
ひいては魂を表している。
魂は肉体が滅びた後も異界とつながっている
と考えられており、月は異界への扉の
ように考えられているのだ。
月は、異界の象徴のようなものなのだろう。
その死者の魂が帰ってくる神楽があるのだが、
その要になるのが、この島の面だ。
儀式の際に巫女がつける面は、
死者のいる異界、つまり月と我々の世界を
結ぶ接点となっていると思われる。
⋯異界につながる仮面。
この島の面は一種類ではない。
さまざまな種類の面があるという。
面を調べることで、私の異界研究は
大きく前進するだろう。
Additional Information
Raden (螺鈿) is a traditional decorative technique used in Japanese lacquerware whereby wood engravings are inlaid with the iridescent layer of certain seashells.