And here I thought the day couldn't get any better after a short but sweet morning jam session. Hold your breath, because it's here. Check 'em (credits go to some Chinese guy who scanned the book).
Incoming wall of text.
Incoming wall of text.
The book is basically a meeting (symposium) between Kanako, Byakuren and Miko, with Akyuu as the auditor and Marisa as the MC. Marisa is chosen to be the MC because she knows a looooot of youkai. Reimu doesn't show up (more like suddenly barging in) until the very end of Part 5. Character profiles are placed in between each discussion, and newspaper articles are all in Part 6.
The first part is about what the new factions bring to Gensokyo. Marisa tries to sound polite but Akyuu says it's disgusting and asks Marisa to talk normally. Marisa calls Kanako, Byakuren and Miko newcomers. Kanako complains as she has already been in Gensokyo for 4 years. Miko says in that case she will start, as she is the real newcomer. Miko thinks the negligence of youkai is causing people to become careless. She says that the humans in the village are too complacent, it's a miracle that the (power) balance of Gensokyo hasn't collapsed yet.
Miko questions why Gensokyo has no politician, and that humans need someone to guide them to a hopeful future. She says that she is qualified for the job. Kanako cuts Miko off by saying that she wonders what kind of future the humans would have if they were to be ruled by Miko, who is not a human. Byakuren says that it's fine there are no politicians in Gensokyo. She continues on saying that the power of youkai is necessary to maintain Gensokyo. Akyuu thinks that Byakuren's use of youkai in her argument is misleading (I really don't think Akyuu likes Byakuren). Byakuren says that the humans in Gensokyo exist to ensure the survival of youkai, and the people are dominated by youkai in Gensokyo. Kanako agrees and says it's for Gensokyo's good that no human ruler arises.
Kanako asks Miko to think about the sorrow of the animals in zoos. Miko asks what a zoo is. Kanako says it's a place to keep animals that are near extinction. Kanako basically asks Miko if she thinks a caged life is a happy one (supposedly meaning that life would become boring if humans were to have a leader and dominated youkai?). Miko asks Kanako if she is comparing humans to zoo animals, and that just exactly what does Kanako think human dignity is. Marisa asks what dignity is, Miko replies it's pride and self-respect. Marisa says of course she has pride in what she does but then says something I can't make any sense out of. Miko is a bit baffled by Marisa's simple-minded response and tells Marisa to forget what she was talking about. Marisa then says "Eh, what were you talking about?" and everyone laughs.
The next topic is Kanako's reasons for coming to Gensokyo. Kanako says she came to Gensokyo seeking new faith. Shrines in the outside world are nothing more than tourist places and power spots. There is no place to worship gods. Byakuren says that she noticed that there are two gods at the Moriya shrine and asks Kanako why it's like that. Kanako corrects her by saying that there are actually three gods. Akyuu is a bit surprised that Sanae is also a god. Kanako says it's really complicated but Suwako is a nice partner. Marisa asks if the shrine is actually controlled by Suwako and Kanako is just acting as a representative. Kanako says it's not really like that. It's true that the Moriya shrine belongs to Suwako, but she has no interests in collecting faith. So it can't be helped that Kanako has to collect the faith (she puts the emphasis on "it can't be helped"). Byakuren gets all nostalgic and says she was born in the Shinano province (now Nagano Prefecture, where Suwa is. That is, where the Moriya trio are from). She recalls how clear and beautiful the water of the Suwa lake was (which is like thousand years ago), but Kanako says it's all industrialized now.
Marisa points at Byakuren and asks why she came to Gensokyo. Byakuren replies that she was just a monk who was betrayed and sealed by humans, and that the place her admirers rescued her, was Gensokyo. Miko goes "Wait a minute, are you saying you are here by coincidence?". Byakuren says it was more out of necessity since her comrades can retain their powers in Gensokyo. Miko then asks if building a temple right above where she was sleeping was also necessary. Byakuren plays dumb by saying "What are you talking about?". Miko calls the Myouren temple a youkai temple, filled with evilness that she detests. Byakuren is not amused and says that youkai are more honest and simpler than humans. Miko doesn't buy that and says Byakuren has fallen to the dark side. Tension is brewing.
Marisa is like "Please save the fighting for later (sweat)" and changes the topic to Miko's revival. Miko says she is still learning about Gensokyo and today (the meeting) is like a special lesson for her. She then says that she's not sure why she is in Gensokyo. Kanako says the reason is simple, because the outside world denies the existence of gods and youkai; the same goes for Miko's existence. Miko says but she is here right now (as in she exists) and Kanako replies that the outside world and Gensokyo are like common sense and uncommon sense; reality and fantasy. Anything that disappears, becomes forgotten, or denied existence in the outside world comes to Gensokyo. Marisa says that Miko is forgotten by people in the outside world. Miko then says that she lives in a space/dimension created by herself, and so she lives in a place where no one will bother her. Marisa is a bit surprised. Miko says something like that is easy to do if one learns hermit arts and asks if Marisa would like to become her disciple. Marisa is a bit hesitant. Miko tries to bait Marisa by saying "You can become immortal you know?". Kanako tries to sway Marisa to her side by offering special great blessing omikuji service.
Marisa asks what are the plans for the future. Miko says she just wants to live a peaceful life. Byakuren says Gensokyo is the worst place for immortals like Miko. Miko asks if she is talking about the shinigami. Byakuren is like "That's right, don't they come to kill you on a regular basis?" (I'm imagining her saying it in a malicious tone here). Miko says that fighting against the shinigami is like a pastime. Byakuren says she has no interests in immortality, she wants to save peaceful youkai, those who have been wrongly treated (as in put in lower positions than they should be) and so on. Kanako says regardless of youkai or human, it's necessary to enrich the minds. Byakuren agrees and Miko says that their methods are different but their ideas are the same. Kanako says there are many misunderstandings about religions in this country. One of the reasons is because there have been religions using people's faith for evil deeds. It's really unfortunate because religions were meant to train the minds. And the first part pretty much ends here.
The first part is about what the new factions bring to Gensokyo. Marisa tries to sound polite but Akyuu says it's disgusting and asks Marisa to talk normally. Marisa calls Kanako, Byakuren and Miko newcomers. Kanako complains as she has already been in Gensokyo for 4 years. Miko says in that case she will start, as she is the real newcomer. Miko thinks the negligence of youkai is causing people to become careless. She says that the humans in the village are too complacent, it's a miracle that the (power) balance of Gensokyo hasn't collapsed yet.
Miko questions why Gensokyo has no politician, and that humans need someone to guide them to a hopeful future. She says that she is qualified for the job. Kanako cuts Miko off by saying that she wonders what kind of future the humans would have if they were to be ruled by Miko, who is not a human. Byakuren says that it's fine there are no politicians in Gensokyo. She continues on saying that the power of youkai is necessary to maintain Gensokyo. Akyuu thinks that Byakuren's use of youkai in her argument is misleading (I really don't think Akyuu likes Byakuren). Byakuren says that the humans in Gensokyo exist to ensure the survival of youkai, and the people are dominated by youkai in Gensokyo. Kanako agrees and says it's for Gensokyo's good that no human ruler arises.
Kanako asks Miko to think about the sorrow of the animals in zoos. Miko asks what a zoo is. Kanako says it's a place to keep animals that are near extinction. Kanako basically asks Miko if she thinks a caged life is a happy one (supposedly meaning that life would become boring if humans were to have a leader and dominated youkai?). Miko asks Kanako if she is comparing humans to zoo animals, and that just exactly what does Kanako think human dignity is. Marisa asks what dignity is, Miko replies it's pride and self-respect. Marisa says of course she has pride in what she does but then says something I can't make any sense out of. Miko is a bit baffled by Marisa's simple-minded response and tells Marisa to forget what she was talking about. Marisa then says "Eh, what were you talking about?" and everyone laughs.
The next topic is Kanako's reasons for coming to Gensokyo. Kanako says she came to Gensokyo seeking new faith. Shrines in the outside world are nothing more than tourist places and power spots. There is no place to worship gods. Byakuren says that she noticed that there are two gods at the Moriya shrine and asks Kanako why it's like that. Kanako corrects her by saying that there are actually three gods. Akyuu is a bit surprised that Sanae is also a god. Kanako says it's really complicated but Suwako is a nice partner. Marisa asks if the shrine is actually controlled by Suwako and Kanako is just acting as a representative. Kanako says it's not really like that. It's true that the Moriya shrine belongs to Suwako, but she has no interests in collecting faith. So it can't be helped that Kanako has to collect the faith (she puts the emphasis on "it can't be helped"). Byakuren gets all nostalgic and says she was born in the Shinano province (now Nagano Prefecture, where Suwa is. That is, where the Moriya trio are from). She recalls how clear and beautiful the water of the Suwa lake was (which is like thousand years ago), but Kanako says it's all industrialized now.
Marisa points at Byakuren and asks why she came to Gensokyo. Byakuren replies that she was just a monk who was betrayed and sealed by humans, and that the place her admirers rescued her, was Gensokyo. Miko goes "Wait a minute, are you saying you are here by coincidence?". Byakuren says it was more out of necessity since her comrades can retain their powers in Gensokyo. Miko then asks if building a temple right above where she was sleeping was also necessary. Byakuren plays dumb by saying "What are you talking about?". Miko calls the Myouren temple a youkai temple, filled with evilness that she detests. Byakuren is not amused and says that youkai are more honest and simpler than humans. Miko doesn't buy that and says Byakuren has fallen to the dark side. Tension is brewing.
Marisa is like "Please save the fighting for later (sweat)" and changes the topic to Miko's revival. Miko says she is still learning about Gensokyo and today (the meeting) is like a special lesson for her. She then says that she's not sure why she is in Gensokyo. Kanako says the reason is simple, because the outside world denies the existence of gods and youkai; the same goes for Miko's existence. Miko says but she is here right now (as in she exists) and Kanako replies that the outside world and Gensokyo are like common sense and uncommon sense; reality and fantasy. Anything that disappears, becomes forgotten, or denied existence in the outside world comes to Gensokyo. Marisa says that Miko is forgotten by people in the outside world. Miko then says that she lives in a space/dimension created by herself, and so she lives in a place where no one will bother her. Marisa is a bit surprised. Miko says something like that is easy to do if one learns hermit arts and asks if Marisa would like to become her disciple. Marisa is a bit hesitant. Miko tries to bait Marisa by saying "You can become immortal you know?". Kanako tries to sway Marisa to her side by offering special great blessing omikuji service.
Marisa asks what are the plans for the future. Miko says she just wants to live a peaceful life. Byakuren says Gensokyo is the worst place for immortals like Miko. Miko asks if she is talking about the shinigami. Byakuren is like "That's right, don't they come to kill you on a regular basis?" (I'm imagining her saying it in a malicious tone here). Miko says that fighting against the shinigami is like a pastime. Byakuren says she has no interests in immortality, she wants to save peaceful youkai, those who have been wrongly treated (as in put in lower positions than they should be) and so on. Kanako says regardless of youkai or human, it's necessary to enrich the minds. Byakuren agrees and Miko says that their methods are different but their ideas are the same. Kanako says there are many misunderstandings about religions in this country. One of the reasons is because there have been religions using people's faith for evil deeds. It's really unfortunate because religions were meant to train the minds. And the first part pretty much ends here.
That's it for the day but I did briefly browse through some other sections. I will just leave some interesting things here,
- Kanako is weak when it comes to gifts. Akyuu suggests that if you did something to cross Kanako, prepare offerings
- The hated ones I mentioned before refer to youkai from the former Hell
- The object Futo used to become a shikaisen is a plate. Miko used her sword
- Miko adjusted her appearance to be more modern, while Futo stayed old-fashioned
- Murasa sinks Komachi's boat
- Kogasa is a babysitter
- Kyouko sucks at maths
- Nazrin lives near Muenzuka. She is also a BIG eater
- Hina recycles the dolls she collects downstream and sells them (with a vending machine since everyone ignores her). Her instant cut-out hina dolls are very popular
- Hakurei shrine collapses yet again due to a localized earthquake
The time is over.
Thank you very much for the summary!
ReplyDeleteThat was very funny XD
>The object Futo used to become a shikaisen is a plate
ReplyDeleteI though you were supposed to use something good. Not a cheap kitchenware.
Also, Byakuren reveals herself as a manipulating bitch. I'm hardly surprised.