A Han'yÅ (Japanese: åŠå¦–) in Japanese folklore is the product of a union between a Yokai (Often spelled Youkai, Japanese: 妖怪) ("apparitions", "spirits" or "demons") are class of creatures in Japanese folklore ranging from the evil oni to the mischievous kitsune. Yōkai are generally more powerful than human beings, and because of this, they tend to act arrogantly towards mortals. Yōkai also have different values from human beings, and when these conflict, it can lead to animosity. They are generally invulnerable to human attack, but skill and a human can defeat them
There are, however, exceptions. Human descendants of a liaison between a kitsune and a human male are sometimes portrayed as heroic figures. Abe no Seimei, The Onmyōji (陰陽師, lit. Yin-Yang Masters) were court diviners in the Heian period (794–1185 AD) of Japan, and may have been active at other times. The organization they belonged to was called the Onmyōryō. Their court responsibilities ranged from simple tasks such as keeping track of the calendar, to mystical chores such as divination and protection of the capitol from evil spirits of the Heian Period, is one such figure said to be descended from a kitsune. Even these han'yÅ, though, remain separated from human society in one sense â€" they possess unusual traits and superhuman powers as a legacy of their bloodlines, and this often makes ordinary humans uneasy.
Kagome read the first paragraphs of the book on edge.
"So, a hanyou is half demon, with a human parent and a youkai parent."
Hanyou can disguise themselves with a necklace made of beads of subjugation, also known as prayer beads. Once this necklace is placed around the creatures neck, it is connected with them forever. The only possible downside to this is some people are able to say a certain command to control them. The command varies between hanyou, but the most commenly used one is the word 'sit', which slams the half-breed face down into the ground. These beads are violet and shaped like a sphere, with small animal fangs every six or seven beads. The necklace must be blessed by a holy being, either a monk or a shrine priestess. Likewise, only these people imbedded with these powers can take the necklace off. See 14 for details. These beads area known in History as Kotodama no Nenju.
" So the necklace around his neck…" Kagome flipped to page fourteen, which had a girl emblazoned across the left hand side.
Miko (巫女) are young women in the service of Shinto Shrines of Japan.
The Miko tradition dates back to the prehistorical era of Japan. In ancient times, women who went into trances and conveyed prophecy or the words of god were called Miko, not unlike the Oracle of Delphi of ancient Greece.
Later, miko were young female attendants at Shinto shrines. They were often the daughter of the priest who presided over a given shrine. Roles of the miko included performing in ceremonial dances (miko-mai) and assisting priests in various ceremonies, especially weddings. The tradition continues and today miko can be found at many Shinto shrines. In modern times most Miko are part-time employees or volunteers. Their duties include assisting with shrine functions, performing ceremonial dances, fortune telling, and staffing shrine shops.
It is somewhat difficult to assign a strict definition or English equivalent to the Japanese word "Miko", though "shrine maiden" is most often used. Other terms that have been used as equivalents are Prophet, Medium (as in Oracle), Priestess, Nun, witch, or Sorceress. It is important to note that Miko do not have the same degree of authority as that of an actual priest.
Supposedly miko were virgins, though it is unlikely that this was true. It is probably true that when a woman who was serving as a miko married she abandoned her duties at the temple in order to be with her husband and new family.
Manga drawing of Miko
The traditional costume or dress of a miko is a chihaya, which consists of a scarlet red hakama (divided skirt), a white shirt with swinging sleeves, and tabi.
Miko are common characters in some Japanese literature and history. Miko are often stock characters and are readily identified by their distinctive costume. Perhaps the most common depiction of a Miko has the character sweeping the grounds of a shrine with a bamboo-hafted broom. Despite this mundane image, stories typically portray the miko as a heroine who fights evil spirits, demons, and ghosts, often with magical or supernatural powers.
In such stories miko are generally depicted as being skilled in some variety of martial art, especially the use of a traditional Japanese weapon such as yumi (longbow), tanto (knife), or any of the various Japanese swords: katana, wakizashi, etc. Miko are almost always attributed the ability to do magic of various sorts, especially o-fuda. These miko are sometimes referred to as Betsushikime. To this, Japan has stayed true. Miko do train with wepons, and become successful with one specifically.
One recent trend in is the Kuro Miko ("Black Miko", though more often translated as Dark Miko). A sort of evil counterpart to traditional miko, the kuro miko often serves a renegade priest or evil sorcerer (or may be one herself) and primarily is an antagonist to the miko. Like the miko, she is trained in similar arts and may have weapons skills. The kuro miko is often very versed at demonology and has a strong command of black magic.
While kuro miko also wear chihaya, the colors tend to be darker (two often used color schemes are black and purple, or black and gold). In some tales, kuro miko wear masks while performing clerical duties, both for effect and to hide their identity.
Kuro miko do not exist in real-world Shinto, at least, that is what most people believe.
For more information, see page 94, on the Shikon no Tama.
"The Shikon no Tama… Jewel of four souls…" Kagome muttered as she flipped the pages, coming to the specific one.
The four souls described are from the Shinto philosophy of Naobi (直霊): Aramitama (荒魂, Courage), Nigimitama (和魂, Friendship), Kushimitama (奇魂, Wisdom) and Sakimitama (幸魂, Love). When all united in one person, such as Midoriko, they unite to form a powerful balance within the soul that can be used for good or evil. Apparently this jewel will grant a person deepest wishes.
Physically, it is a sphere that appears to be made of some sort of crystalline material prior to the accident that shattered it. When purified, the jewel is a soft pink color, however the more tainted the soul and wishes of the person holding it, the more the color turns to a lurid black-violet. It is somewhere between a marble and a ping-pong ball in size when complete, but the Jewel was broken into shards and the shards of the Jewel of Four Souls are irregular in size and shape.
Miko and demons have been at war with each other for centuries for the jewel, thus shattering it, with one other species looking on. See page 245 for details.
"Two forty five… two forty five…"
Elemental spirits, said to be descended from the heavens when the world began, are the gods and goddesses of our myths. These creatures took one of three possible ways of life at the beginning of time, thus creating three separate races. Ones lusting power became demons, mating with animals to create the blood mixture. Ones who wished to advance in intelligence became humans, mating with the apes that walked the earth, creating that bloodline. The others became powerful beings, keeping the scales of balance, Good and Evil, perfectly aligned. No living creature has seen these life forms, at least, not to their knowledge.
These creatures can mask their natural forms with magic, not taking anything horrid like prayer beads, and walk among mortals. Apparently, they are waiting, being immortal, for the war between the two hybrid races, and the world to end. They were kept on the earth to stop this war from occurring, and if they fail, to stop the earth from ending. They are forever striving to bring the two races together, thus creating the first hanyous, and will bless any relationship with two of the opposite races inside, more so if it is for love. These peoples natural forms nomally have black or silver hair, with blue or mood changing eyes, possibly an amber shade or silver, molten metal is also possible. They are highly expierenced with weapons, being immortal, and are able to take many hits without showing pain, as well as mask any feelings. They also are very intellectual, reading or learning about the world around them as much as possible. The oddest thing about these forms are the angelic wings on their back, that when exercised, enable the creature to fly, and possibly carry another on their backs or in their arms. The wings make some humans believe they are 'guardian angels'.
"Does that mean…" Kagome looked at her clock. "Ten twenty two." She looked at the bottom.
To see the god forms of elementals, turn to page 56.
Kagome turned the pages, to see the pictures and writing glare back at her from the yellowed pages.
Izanami and Izanagi were the first beings to step on the planet, and created the islands of Japan, taking a fondness to them. Hiruko was the solar god, while Amaterasu was the goddess of the sun. Her brother, Tsuki-Yomi was the god of the moon, who romanced with the beautiful goddess Benzaiten, goddess of love. Kagu-Zuchi was lord of fire, Susa-No-Wo of storms, thunder, snakes and farming and Kawa-no-Kami of rivers, often in alliance with Nai-No-Kami, who led earthquakes an ground tremors. Wakahiru-Me was told to be the most beautiful, being goddess of the dawn sun, who loved humans. Bishamon was lord of happiness and war, and favored the demons, blessing their existence. Kura-Okami, the charge of rain, was deeply in love with Shina-to-be, lady of the wind and air, who was wed to Shina-Tsu-Hiko, lord of the wind.
Kagome dropped the book and ran out of her room into the dimly lit hall and ran to the library. As she shoved open the great doors, she paused to see the four who were reading. Suki sat there with a leather bound book in hand, leaning comfterbly against the wall, wearing a blue summer dress, Kenara sat on the master chair in the back, flipping through a large volume, black rimmed reading glasses on with a black shirt and shorts on. Apollo sat beside his sister reading a thin volume of myths, his own glasses perched on the end of his nose, looking quite out of it, his bulky muscular frame smushed into a small wooden chair, and Artemis sat in her usual spot, the same clothes on, her silver half moon spectacles on the bridge of her nose, the only one looking up expectantly at Kagome.
"Well?" Artemis asked expectantly, the others following her gaze to the teenager who stood in the door frame, her arms folded.
"You are elements, aren't you." Kagome said. The words were more of a statement than a question. Kenara nodded.
"And Inuyasha, Sesshomaru and Shippo are demons."
Suki nodded this time, waving her hand to the only empty seat in the room.
"Sit down Higurashi. We have been expecting you." Artemis said, tilting her head to the chair in front of her as Kagome sat down.