Skip to main content

# Mirage of Blaze volume 8: The Supreme Conqueror's Demon Mirror 3

## Chapter 25: The Great and Shining Star

By Kuwabara Mizuna (author), Toujou Kazumi (illustrator)
Translated by asphodel

The entire mountain shook and rumbled.

“Wh-what was that!” This new development agitated the Houjou vassals, who were still scuffling with Kagetora’s flying dragons. Ujimasa was near Rinnou Temple Rinnou-ji (輪王寺)
Rinnou Temple is a Tendai Buddhist complex located in Nikkou, Tochigi Prefecture. It was founded by in 766 by Holy Priest Shoudou and became an attractive retreat for those seeking solitude due to its location deep in the mountains of Japan.
In 1590, during the Siege of Odawara, Toyotomi Hideyoshi seized the temple for supporting the Houjou side, causing its decline. However, during the Tokugawa Shogunate Tenkai became the chief priest of the temple and began its revival.
Many structures and artifacts within the temple are designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties. One of the most famous is its main building, Sanbutsudou (三仏堂) or Three Buddha Hall, so-named because it houses large gold lacquered wooden statues of Amida, Senju-Kannon ("Kannon with a thousand arms") and Bato-Kannon ("Kannon with a horse head"). The three deities are regarded as Buddhist manifestations of the three mountain deities of Nikkou enshrined at Futarasan Shrine.
The Black Gate, which is uniformly black from its pillars to its roof tiles, guards the entrance to both Sanbutsudou and the Treasure House.
The Kaizandou, or Founder's Hall, enshrines Shoudou and is located to the north of Toushou Shrine.’s Black Gate. He paled at the change within the mountain.

“What is it? What has happened?”

Tremors shook the earth from east to west, as if an enormous dragon glided beneath their feet. Then the ground began shaking in earnest.

“What’s happening...?!”

Rumble.

The earth beneath their feet sank inward before suddenly erupting in spouts of vapor.

“Aaaagh!”

It was not true vapor, of course, but a pure power erupting with such terrifying strength and violent force that it obscured their field of vision. Desperately shielding himself lest he be blown away, Ujimasa yelled, “What is this? Who...?!”

“Tono honorifics
A brief list of honorifics used in address:
san (さん) - the most common honorific, usually used to address someone outside one's immediate circle with respect
kun (君) - usually used towards boys and men of junior status or equal age and status
chan (ちゃん) - a diminutive used mainly towards children, and intimate friends, especially women; also used as an endearment for girls
sama (様) - the formal form of "san", showing a high level of respect
senpai (先輩) - used to refer to someone with a more senior status, such as a freshman towards a senior
sensei (先生) - often translated as "teacher", but can actually be used to show respect for anyone with superior knowledge in a field, including doctors and writers
dono/tono (殿) - an antiquated term which roughly translates to "lord", used to show great respect for the addressee, who can be of equal or higher status than the speaker
uji/shi (氏) - in ancient times, carried the meaning "of the ~ clan" or "of the ~ surname"; now used in formal speech and writing to refer to someone unfamiliar to the speaker.
!” one of his aides screamed. “The barrier...! The barrier has been breached!”

“What?!”

“Someone is casting a spell against us—magic strong enough to break the barrier!”

“Magic!” Startled, Ujimasa looked up at the sky. The mysterious steam-like eruptions from the ground had blasted holes in the dome-shaped barrier, and those fissures were rapidly expanding.

“Maintain your power! Preserve the barrier! Such trifling magic cannot break it!”

“Tono honorifics
A brief list of honorifics used in address:
san (さん) - the most common honorific, usually used to address someone outside one's immediate circle with respect
kun (君) - usually used towards boys and men of junior status or equal age and status
chan (ちゃん) - a diminutive used mainly towards children, and intimate friends, especially women; also used as an endearment for girls
sama (様) - the formal form of "san", showing a high level of respect
senpai (先輩) - used to refer to someone with a more senior status, such as a freshman towards a senior
sensei (先生) - often translated as "teacher", but can actually be used to show respect for anyone with superior knowledge in a field, including doctors and writers
dono/tono (殿) - an antiquated term which roughly translates to "lord", used to show great respect for the addressee, who can be of equal or higher status than the speaker
uji/shi (氏) - in ancient times, carried the meaning "of the ~ clan" or "of the ~ surname"; now used in formal speech and writing to refer to someone unfamiliar to the speaker.
!” He turned to see one monk after another being engulfed by raging magical tornadoes and collapsing to the ground.

“Our vassals...! They’re being torn from their vessels!”

“What did you say?!”

Pulled out of their bodies by the terrifying spell of Daigensui Myouou Daigensui Myouou (大元帥明王)
Also known as: Āṭavaka
One of the Wisdom Kings, guardians of Buddhism, Daigensui Myouou is particularly worshipped in the secret teachings and is associated with protection of the country and conquest of enemies. In Sanskrit, his name means "Lord of the Forest." He was originally a child-eating demon who was converted by the Buddha to become protector and helper and one of the attendants of Bishamonten.
His shingon is transliterated as: Taritsu taboritsu paraboritsu shayanmei shayanmei tararasantan raenbi sowaka.
, possessing spirits were disappearing in increasing numbers.

“What is this power...?! Who is performing this spell?!”

“It is too dangerous to remain here! We must retreat, Tono honorifics
A brief list of honorifics used in address:
san (さん) - the most common honorific, usually used to address someone outside one's immediate circle with respect
kun (君) - usually used towards boys and men of junior status or equal age and status
chan (ちゃん) - a diminutive used mainly towards children, and intimate friends, especially women; also used as an endearment for girls
sama (様) - the formal form of "san", showing a high level of respect
senpai (先輩) - used to refer to someone with a more senior status, such as a freshman towards a senior
sensei (先生) - often translated as "teacher", but can actually be used to show respect for anyone with superior knowledge in a field, including doctors and writers
dono/tono (殿) - an antiquated term which roughly translates to "lord", used to show great respect for the addressee, who can be of equal or higher status than the speaker
uji/shi (氏) - in ancient times, carried the meaning "of the ~ clan" or "of the ~ surname"; now used in formal speech and writing to refer to someone unfamiliar to the speaker.
!”

“Retreat, after coming this far?” Ujimasa growled.

Tenkai Tenkai (天海) 1536 - Nov. 13, 1643
Tenkai was a Tendai Buddhist monk who achieved the highest rank of the priesthood and became abbot of Kita-in at Kawagoe in 1588. He served Tokugawa Ieyasu as liaison between the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Imperial Court at Kyoto. After Ieyasu's death in 1616, he also served the 2nd Tokugawa Shogun, Tokugawa Hidetada, and the 3rd, Tokugawa Iemitsu. Among his projects were the rebuilding of Enryaku Temple on Mount Hiei, the restoration of Rinnou Temple in Nikkou, and the establishment of Kan'ei-ji in Ueno.’s grand spell, laid to rest four hundred years ago deep beneath the earth, had come alive to to display its awesome power once more. It was all Ujimasa could to protect himself and endure.

“Saburou... are you the one behind this?”

The pure white energy roaring out of the earth like fumes from a volcano extinguished the fires around them in the blink of an eye, and broke apart the barrier as quickly. Ujimasa could do no more than watch as his vassals fell and the fires died.

“Tono honorifics
A brief list of honorifics used in address:
san (さん) - the most common honorific, usually used to address someone outside one's immediate circle with respect
kun (君) - usually used towards boys and men of junior status or equal age and status
chan (ちゃん) - a diminutive used mainly towards children, and intimate friends, especially women; also used as an endearment for girls
sama (様) - the formal form of "san", showing a high level of respect
senpai (先輩) - used to refer to someone with a more senior status, such as a freshman towards a senior
sensei (先生) - often translated as "teacher", but can actually be used to show respect for anyone with superior knowledge in a field, including doctors and writers
dono/tono (殿) - an antiquated term which roughly translates to "lord", used to show great respect for the addressee, who can be of equal or higher status than the speaker
uji/shi (氏) - in ancient times, carried the meaning "of the ~ clan" or "of the ~ surname"; now used in formal speech and writing to refer to someone unfamiliar to the speaker.
! We must take shelter now, else we will all be engulfed! Please sound the retreat!”

“Tono honorifics
A brief list of honorifics used in address:
san (さん) - the most common honorific, usually used to address someone outside one's immediate circle with respect
kun (君) - usually used towards boys and men of junior status or equal age and status
chan (ちゃん) - a diminutive used mainly towards children, and intimate friends, especially women; also used as an endearment for girls
sama (様) - the formal form of "san", showing a high level of respect
senpai (先輩) - used to refer to someone with a more senior status, such as a freshman towards a senior
sensei (先生) - often translated as "teacher", but can actually be used to show respect for anyone with superior knowledge in a field, including doctors and writers
dono/tono (殿) - an antiquated term which roughly translates to "lord", used to show great respect for the addressee, who can be of equal or higher status than the speaker
uji/shi (氏) - in ancient times, carried the meaning "of the ~ clan" or "of the ~ surname"; now used in formal speech and writing to refer to someone unfamiliar to the speaker.
!”

“Why? Saburou! Saburou!!” Ujimasa suddenly erupted, shaking his fists at the sky.

“Tono honorifics
A brief list of honorifics used in address:
san (さん) - the most common honorific, usually used to address someone outside one's immediate circle with respect
kun (君) - usually used towards boys and men of junior status or equal age and status
chan (ちゃん) - a diminutive used mainly towards children, and intimate friends, especially women; also used as an endearment for girls
sama (様) - the formal form of "san", showing a high level of respect
senpai (先輩) - used to refer to someone with a more senior status, such as a freshman towards a senior
sensei (先生) - often translated as "teacher", but can actually be used to show respect for anyone with superior knowledge in a field, including doctors and writers
dono/tono (殿) - an antiquated term which roughly translates to "lord", used to show great respect for the addressee, who can be of equal or higher status than the speaker
uji/shi (氏) - in ancient times, carried the meaning "of the ~ clan" or "of the ~ surname"; now used in formal speech and writing to refer to someone unfamiliar to the speaker.
! Calm yourself! Tono honorifics
A brief list of honorifics used in address:
san (さん) - the most common honorific, usually used to address someone outside one's immediate circle with respect
kun (君) - usually used towards boys and men of junior status or equal age and status
chan (ちゃん) - a diminutive used mainly towards children, and intimate friends, especially women; also used as an endearment for girls
sama (様) - the formal form of "san", showing a high level of respect
senpai (先輩) - used to refer to someone with a more senior status, such as a freshman towards a senior
sensei (先生) - often translated as "teacher", but can actually be used to show respect for anyone with superior knowledge in a field, including doctors and writers
dono/tono (殿) - an antiquated term which roughly translates to "lord", used to show great respect for the addressee, who can be of equal or higher status than the speaker
uji/shi (氏) - in ancient times, carried the meaning "of the ~ clan" or "of the ~ surname"; now used in formal speech and writing to refer to someone unfamiliar to the speaker.
!”

Ujimasa drew the short sword sheathed at his waist.

“How far will you go to defy us? Do you yet call yourself a child of the Houjou?!”

“Tono honorifics
A brief list of honorifics used in address:
san (さん) - the most common honorific, usually used to address someone outside one's immediate circle with respect
kun (君) - usually used towards boys and men of junior status or equal age and status
chan (ちゃん) - a diminutive used mainly towards children, and intimate friends, especially women; also used as an endearment for girls
sama (様) - the formal form of "san", showing a high level of respect
senpai (先輩) - used to refer to someone with a more senior status, such as a freshman towards a senior
sensei (先生) - often translated as "teacher", but can actually be used to show respect for anyone with superior knowledge in a field, including doctors and writers
dono/tono (殿) - an antiquated term which roughly translates to "lord", used to show great respect for the addressee, who can be of equal or higher status than the speaker
uji/shi (氏) - in ancient times, carried the meaning "of the ~ clan" or "of the ~ surname"; now used in formal speech and writing to refer to someone unfamiliar to the speaker.
!”

“How can you not understand? Why do you not understand the heart of your brother?!”

Ujimasa brandished his short sword wildly at the sky. His panicked aides, wondering if their lord had gone mad, hurriedly restrained him from behind.

“Why? Why must you interfere?!”

“Tono honorifics
A brief list of honorifics used in address:
san (さん) - the most common honorific, usually used to address someone outside one's immediate circle with respect
kun (君) - usually used towards boys and men of junior status or equal age and status
chan (ちゃん) - a diminutive used mainly towards children, and intimate friends, especially women; also used as an endearment for girls
sama (様) - the formal form of "san", showing a high level of respect
senpai (先輩) - used to refer to someone with a more senior status, such as a freshman towards a senior
sensei (先生) - often translated as "teacher", but can actually be used to show respect for anyone with superior knowledge in a field, including doctors and writers
dono/tono (殿) - an antiquated term which roughly translates to "lord", used to show great respect for the addressee, who can be of equal or higher status than the speaker
uji/shi (氏) - in ancient times, carried the meaning "of the ~ clan" or "of the ~ surname"; now used in formal speech and writing to refer to someone unfamiliar to the speaker.
, please calm down! Tono honorifics
A brief list of honorifics used in address:
san (さん) - the most common honorific, usually used to address someone outside one's immediate circle with respect
kun (君) - usually used towards boys and men of junior status or equal age and status
chan (ちゃん) - a diminutive used mainly towards children, and intimate friends, especially women; also used as an endearment for girls
sama (様) - the formal form of "san", showing a high level of respect
senpai (先輩) - used to refer to someone with a more senior status, such as a freshman towards a senior
sensei (先生) - often translated as "teacher", but can actually be used to show respect for anyone with superior knowledge in a field, including doctors and writers
dono/tono (殿) - an antiquated term which roughly translates to "lord", used to show great respect for the addressee, who can be of equal or higher status than the speaker
uji/shi (氏) - in ancient times, carried the meaning "of the ~ clan" or "of the ~ surname"; now used in formal speech and writing to refer to someone unfamiliar to the speaker.
!”

“You are a child of the Houjou, our father’s son! How could you do this? Answer me! Why do you defy us?!”

“To-Tonoooo!”

“Why, Saburou?! Answer me!”

Traveling through the Kanmangafuchi Kanmangafuchi (憾満ケ淵)
Kanman Abyss, located along the Daiya River, was known from ancient times as a spot sacred to the mountain ascetics and a place where they went to practice and train. subterranean tunnel, Naoe reached the mountain just when energy began erupting everywhere from the ground. He felt as if he had stepped into a storm.

(Yuzuru-san...!)

He would have been tribute-bound to the sacred tree at Futarasan Shrine Futarasan Jinja (二荒山神社)
Futarasan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Nikkou founded by Holy Priest Shoudou. It enshrines three mountain deities: Ookuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone of Mt. Nantai (also called Mt. Futara), Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou.
Its main shrine (Honden) was built in 767, its middle shrine (Chuuguushi ) in 784, and its rear shrine (Okumiya) in 782.. Naoe left the precincts of Toushou Shrine Toushou-guu (東照宮)
Toushou Shrines (lit. "Light of the East" or "Illumination of the East") are Shinto shrines in which Tokugawa Ieyasu is enshrined as a holy incarnation of a buddha along the shinbutsu shuugou (merging of Shintoism and Buddhism) beliefs, which put forth the idea that Japanese gods are local manifestations of Indian buddhas come to lead the Japanese people to salvation. Ieyasu is worshiped as such a deity, and around 130 Toushou Shrines are still in existence in Japan.
The Toushou Shrine in Nikkou, the most famous of the Toushou Shrines, was built in 1617 and dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu when his son Tokugawa Hidetada was shogun of Japan. Five structures in the shrine complex are National Treasures of Japan. A bronze urn enshrined there contains Ieyasu's remains.
Another Toushou Shrine is located in the city of Shizuoka in Shizuoka Prefecture on Mount Kunou. It was Ieyasu's original burial site and thus the oldest Toushou Shrine in the country.
A third Toushou Shrine is located on Mt. Hourai in Shinshiro City, Aichi Prefecture. It was built by the third Tokugawa shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, and completed in 1651.
These three shrines are known as the 'Three Great Toushou Shrines.' and headed there, two hundred meters or so to the west.

The vessels of the formerly-possessed littered the shrine grounds. Tenkai Tenkai (天海) 1536 - Nov. 13, 1643
Tenkai was a Tendai Buddhist monk who achieved the highest rank of the priesthood and became abbot of Kita-in at Kawagoe in 1588. He served Tokugawa Ieyasu as liaison between the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Imperial Court at Kyoto. After Ieyasu's death in 1616, he also served the 2nd Tokugawa Shogun, Tokugawa Hidetada, and the 3rd, Tokugawa Iemitsu. Among his projects were the rebuilding of Enryaku Temple on Mount Hiei, the restoration of Rinnou Temple in Nikkou, and the establishment of Kan'ei-ji in Ueno.’s secret ritual had not only ripped the Houjou spirits from their bodies, but plundered their remaining power until they had faded away. Even Naoe, a kanshousha kanshousha (換生者)
Those who possess others by driving out the soul from a body and making it theirs.
Unlike normal spirits, kanshousha cannot exchange bodies at will; they can only switch to another host body when their current body dies. Because kanshousha become the owners of their bodies, choubuku does not work on them. It is, however, still possible to exorcise kanshousha when they are in spirit-form (i.e. between possessions)., could not have remained conscious after a direct strike. The ritual had been conceived on a grand scale for the protection of the entire country; though the revived spell was but a tenth—nay, a hundredth—of the original strength, no human being could withstand its fury, ability to conjure a goshinha goshinha (護身波)
Lit. "wave of self-protection"; the goshinha is a protective mesh spun from fine strands of spiritual energy which surrounds the caster and protects from an opponent's spiritual as well as physical attacks. The mesh gains strength and stability when it is multi-layered and becomes the goshinheki. The goshinha is Naoe's forte. or no.

(I must find the Tsutsuga Mirrors Tsutsuga Kyou
The Tsutsuga Mirrors were originally a treasure of Futarasan Shrine, formed of a male and female pair. The female mirror has the power to entrap souls, and is called the soul-sealing mirror (Fuukonkyou—封魂鏡), while the male is able to release entrapped souls. Legend has it that when Holy Priest Shoudou founded the first shrine on the Nikkou mountains, he turned the two tsutsuga causing mischief on Nantai-san into magic mirrors with his spells.
Four hundred years ago, the Fuuma Clan mated the two halves of the mirror to give birth to a tsutsuga cub which High Priest Tenkai sealed into the female mirror by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu. quickly...)

Where was Ujimasa? Kotarou...?

The three sacred trees came into view.

“Yuzuru-san!”

His form was easily recognizable, and that of Shinya beside him. He had already merged with the sacred tree, which glittered ever brighter with holy golden light—Yuzuru’s power—within Tenkai’s terrifying spell. The tree’s power had devoured Yuzuru’s; filled to brimming with that immense energy, it appeared on the verge of explosion.

If the power of the earth were combined with the powers of tree and soul and fused into a single energy form using the ‘Ritual of Unification by Fire Ritual of Unification by Fire (火合の法)
A ritual designed by the Houjou to fuse the energies forms of human souls, trees, and earth by binding souls to sacred cedar trees and torching those trees. Once fused, the Houjou would have a wellspring of energy they could call upon as a weapon to conquer the country.,’ Naoe thought, a chill running down his spine. To leave things as they were presented an invitation to catastrophe. He had to break the Tsutsuga Mirrors Tsutsuga Kyou
The Tsutsuga Mirrors were originally a treasure of Futarasan Shrine, formed of a male and female pair. The female mirror has the power to entrap souls, and is called the soul-sealing mirror (Fuukonkyou—封魂鏡), while the male is able to release entrapped souls. Legend has it that when Holy Priest Shoudou founded the first shrine on the Nikkou mountains, he turned the two tsutsuga causing mischief on Nantai-san into magic mirrors with his spells.
Four hundred years ago, the Fuuma Clan mated the two halves of the mirror to give birth to a tsutsuga cub which High Priest Tenkai sealed into the female mirror by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu. and release Yuzuru, right now.

(The Tsutsuga Mirrors Tsutsuga Kyou
The Tsutsuga Mirrors were originally a treasure of Futarasan Shrine, formed of a male and female pair. The female mirror has the power to entrap souls, and is called the soul-sealing mirror (Fuukonkyou—封魂鏡), while the male is able to release entrapped souls. Legend has it that when Holy Priest Shoudou founded the first shrine on the Nikkou mountains, he turned the two tsutsuga causing mischief on Nantai-san into magic mirrors with his spells.
Four hundred years ago, the Fuuma Clan mated the two halves of the mirror to give birth to a tsutsuga cub which High Priest Tenkai sealed into the female mirror by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu....)

Naoe whirled at a presence behind him. Beyond the gushing white mist: a figure he remembered.

Naoe immediately shifted into fighting stance.

“Fuuma Kotarou Fuuma Kotarou (風魔小太郎)
Historically: The name Fuuma Kotarou was given to each leader of the Fuuma Clan/organization of ninjas which served the Later Houjou Clan, starting with its first leader. The clan started information-gathering and espionage activities in the time of Houjou Souun, the founder of the Later Houjou Clan. The clan name began as 風間, composed of the characters for "wind" and "space", but was changed to its present form, a homophone composed of the characters for "wind" and "evil/demonic/magical."
In its 100 years of service to the Houjou Clan, the most renowned Fuuma Kotarou was the fifth, who served Houjou Ujimasa and his son Houjou Ujinao (unknown - 1603). Stories say that he was 7'1". One of his most famous exploits was in 1580 and the Battle of Kise-gawa, during which he slipped into the enemy camp at night and caused mass chaos. Another famous ninja, Ninokuruwa Isuke, also belonged to the Fuuma Clan.
After the destruction of the Houjou Clan, Kotarou and the Fuuma Clan became thieves near Edo. Kotarou was captured and executed in 1603 from information given by Kousaka Jinai, another ninja-turned-thief who formerly served the Takeda Clan.
In Mirage of Blaze: Fuuma Kotarou leads the Fuuma ninjas in service to the Houjou Clan. He is described as a tall, slender man with broad shoulders and a muscular but supple body. He wears his hair long, tied in a woven tail that reaches to his waist....”

The tall shadow gazed at him with arms crossed, his long hair tied back and floating in the wind.

“So you’ve come in pursuit after all, Naoe.”

In his arms, the intricately carved scarlet back of a mirror—

The male Tsutsuga Mirror given him by the dragon of Lake Ashi Ashino-ko (芦ノ湖)
Also known as: Hakone Lake, Ashinoko Lake, Manji Pond
Lake Ashi is a crater lake that lies along the southwest wall of the caldera of Mt. Hakone, located in Hakone Town. It is known for its beautiful views of Mt. Fuji and many hot springs.
Legend has it that during the Nara Period, when the lake was still called Manji Pond, it was home to a poisonous nine-headed dragon. In order to appease the dragon's anger, the villagers would offer maidens to it as sacrifices. Holy Priest Mangan, who had come to Mt. Hakone to practice asceticism, heard the tale and bound the evil dragon to a rock at the bottom of the lake in order to save the villagers. The dragon promised to protect the mountains and villages, and thus reformed, became a dragon god. Thereafter the villagers fed the dragon red rice instead of their daughters., Houjou Ujiyasu Houjou Ujiyasu (北条氏康) 1515 - 1571
Title: Sagami-no-Kami
Also known as: The Tiger of Sagami, The Lion of Sagami
Son of Houjou Ujitsuna and third head of the Late Houjou Clan, one of the greatest daimyo of the Sengoku in both military and political arenas. He expanded the Houjou holdings to five territories and battled both Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin over the Kantou and Suruga regions.
He retired in 1560 and handed over the clan to his eldest son Houjou Ujimasa, but continued to guide the clan until his death of palsey or stomach cancer in 1571. He made an alliance with the Takeda Clan in 1562 and gave over his 7th son, Houjou Saburou, to Takeda Shingen for adoption.
Houjou Ujiyasu was a great admirer of poetry, culture and learning as well as a outstanding administrator who created unique bureaucratic organizations such as litigation processes for the ruling of his lands. He was much beloved of his people and widely mourned at his death....

“I should have killed you at Lake Ashi Ashino-ko (芦ノ湖)
Also known as: Hakone Lake, Ashinoko Lake, Manji Pond
Lake Ashi is a crater lake that lies along the southwest wall of the caldera of Mt. Hakone, located in Hakone Town. It is known for its beautiful views of Mt. Fuji and many hot springs.
Legend has it that during the Nara Period, when the lake was still called Manji Pond, it was home to a poisonous nine-headed dragon. In order to appease the dragon's anger, the villagers would offer maidens to it as sacrifices. Holy Priest Mangan, who had come to Mt. Hakone to practice asceticism, heard the tale and bound the evil dragon to a rock at the bottom of the lake in order to save the villagers. The dragon promised to protect the mountains and villages, and thus reformed, became a dragon god. Thereafter the villagers fed the dragon red rice instead of their daughters..”

“Why did you allow me to choose? You could have killed me whenever you liked.”

“It was Lord Ujiyasu who granted you that choice.”

“And why would Lord Ujiyasu show such mercy to an enemy? When my choice meant that he...he might never have returned to what he was!” Naoe cried. “Why?!”

Kotarou gazed at him coolly. “True. Lord Ujiyasu could easily have curbed your foolishness. But in all probability he would not have interfered, whatever your choice.”

“Why?”

“I do not know,” Kotarou replied, eyes narrowing. “I have no understanding of a father’s feelings for his children, and even less of the heart of one who consents to his child’s death—who allows a man intent on stealing that life away the choice of his child’s life or death. Neither can I comprehend your heart.”

“...”

“Why did you not choose death?”

Naoe closed his eyes.

“Would it not have been a happy one? Was it not what you wanted, for which you were willing to discard all else? Why, with your final choice, did you choose to live?”

Naoe could not answer. Why had he chosen as he did? Why had he not made another choice?

No higher feelings had figured into his decision; despair, not desire, had driven him in the moment.

But he knew his choice had been the right one, for he had made it in response to the last and greatest truth within him. He could only prostrate himself before it.

Naoe opened his eyes and met Kotarou’s eyes unflinchingly.

“You’re a strange man.” Kotarou held Naoe’s gaze, though he looked slightly pained. “Only two others can meet my eyes so unwaveringly: Lord Ujiyasu and Ujiteru-dono.”

“...”

“Have you always looked upon Saburou-dono with those eyes?” Naoe’s ‘energy’ welled up like quiet flames. Kotarou stood facing him in stillness. “What are you to Saburou-dono? What are you to him, that Saburou-dono would go to such lengths to rule over a mongrel like you?”

It was a question he had asked himself all along—and yet he could not find the words to answer. To have another dominate all possible emotions he could experience as a human being, so that even his pain was offered up in devotion... What was such an existence to him? He’d found many answers, but none that had any meaning beyond easing his pain.

“I don’t care anymore,” he spat, his eyes filled with hostility as he squared off against Kotarou. “I will destroy the Tsutsuga Mirrors Tsutsuga Kyou
The Tsutsuga Mirrors were originally a treasure of Futarasan Shrine, formed of a male and female pair. The female mirror has the power to entrap souls, and is called the soul-sealing mirror (Fuukonkyou—封魂鏡), while the male is able to release entrapped souls. Legend has it that when Holy Priest Shoudou founded the first shrine on the Nikkou mountains, he turned the two tsutsuga causing mischief on Nantai-san into magic mirrors with his spells.
Four hundred years ago, the Fuuma Clan mated the two halves of the mirror to give birth to a tsutsuga cub which High Priest Tenkai sealed into the female mirror by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu.! You can’t stop me, so you might as well hand them over, Kotarou!”

“I’m the one who let you go, Naoe!” Kotarou’s powerful aura flared along the entire length of his body. “Let’s end this!”

“I will take you down, Kotarou!”

Spider silk flew from Kotarou’s hands with a faint hum. Though Naoe’s «nenpa nenpa (念波)
Lit.: "waves of will/thought"; a nendouryoku attack using spiritual energy which focuses the will and releases it in a burst to strike at a target.» easily sliced it apart, it continued to converge on him from all directions, finally coiling around his limbs from behind and tightening around his neck with a wire-like strength. “Guh!” he moaned, clawing for power with all his might. “Aaaah!”

Invisible knives sliced apart the sticky threads. Kotarou immediately paid out the lines. Without allowing Naoe pause for breath, the spider silk twined around his hands and feet suddenly transformed into dozens of snakes.

As they lifted their sinuous necks and bared their fangs to strike, Naoe concentrated and set them aflame with a burst of will. Charred snake fell in carbonized lumps to the ground—then melted and attacked Naoe again in the form of slime.

The viscid mucus covered his face, blocking his nose and mouth. Kotarou looked on as he thrashed, choking and suffocating.

“Does it hurt? It will be over soon, Naoe,” he murmured as Naoe flailed for breath. “I will give you what you could not choose. This is the end.”

Lightning flashed across Kotarou’s eyes, and raging flames engulfed Naoe. Naoe collapsed to the ground, writhing as his flesh burned in the white-hot blaze, unable even to scream the agony of his death. Kotarou approached, ready to bear witness to his final moments.

With a sound like the air itself ripping apart, the fire abruptly vanished. Kotarou’s eyes narrowed in surprise as Naoe raised himself to his knees, panting for breath and glaring up at him with raw hostility. His clothes bore little evidence of the blaze that had consumed them just moments before.

“Did you think you could take me down with an illusion, Kotarou?”

“A suggestion could make most people scratch off their own skin. It was enough to create those burns.”

Naoe clenched his fists around his wounded palms. Kotarou’s hypnotism had manipulate Naoe’s senses into believing in the reality of the fire, and his skin tissue had reacted accordingly. Kotarou’s powers of illusion were such that he could ‘burn’ his opponents to death by convincing them of it.

“You have not yet seen all that I can do.”

“Guh!” A knife whistled past his ear, and blood welled from a cut on his neck.

This, too, was Kotarou manipulating his body into believing itself injured. Soon, heat seared him everywhere, and he was powerless to block it. A suggestion was not «power», and his «goshinha goshinha (護身波)
Lit. "wave of self-protection"; the goshinha is a protective mesh spun from fine strands of spiritual energy which surrounds the caster and protects from an opponent's spiritual as well as physical attacks. The mesh gains strength and stability when it is multi-layered and becomes the goshinheki. The goshinha is Naoe's forte.» was useless against it!

“Aaaaagh...!” Naoe pressed himself instinctively to the ground, blood streaming down his neck.

“I’m not done yet, Naoe.”

Naoe snarled at Kotarou. He could not shield against the suggestion without knowing how it was performed: he was defenseless!

“Burn to ashes!”

“...!”

Searing heat blazed across Naoe’s entire body, and he screamed. His skin was broiling, charring. He writhed, unable to catch his breath. He felt himself losing his grasp on consciousness, his body destroying itself with self-inflicted burns.

(Dissipate...!)

The heat could not be simply willed away. In that case, let him fight suggestion with suggestion. He focused his entire being on the thought: (Water...!)

He visualized cold water drenching him.

“You are engulfed in fire, Naoe!” Kotarou prodded at his concentration. “Your skin is crackling and blackening! You’re burning!”

“I am submerged in water!” Naoe yelled, violently shoving Kotarou’s voice away. “Water covers my entire body!”

“Your skin is burning! It is melting away!”

“It is not burning! Every inch is drenched in water!”

“You’re ablaze! You’re surrounded by fire!”

“Cold water!”

And suddenly he felt as if he were standing in a frigid downpour. His self-directed suggestion had conquered Kotarou’s. Naoe immediately went on the offensive.

A thick cloud of pebbles levitated into the air. Seconds too late switching to the defensive, Kotarou had no time to call up a «goshinha goshinha (護身波)
Lit. "wave of self-protection"; the goshinha is a protective mesh spun from fine strands of spiritual energy which surrounds the caster and protects from an opponent's spiritual as well as physical attacks. The mesh gains strength and stability when it is multi-layered and becomes the goshinheki. The goshinha is Naoe's forte.». He quickly dropped a «goshinheki goshinheki (護身壁)
Lit.: "wall of self-protection"; the goshinheki is a barrier constructed for an instant using spiritual energy. The goshinha is effective when maintained, but the goshinheki takes shape in the instant the caster is attacked and is a basic method of self-protection. However, its weakness is that it cannot protect the caster against 100% of the damage caused by the attack.» in front of the storm of pebbles Naoe hurled at him, but could not block them all. Though he managed to leap to one side, his current body lacked his former superhuman reflexes.

“Ugh!” Kotarou recoiled from several direct hits. Naoe pressed the attack. He threw fine particles of crushed stones at Kotarou’s eyes, blinding him. The cloud of dust swirled around Kotarou’s face.

“...Cheap tricks!” Kotarou swept it away—only to be hammered by a mass of pure will. Kotarou’s «wall goshinheki (護身壁)
Lit.: "wall of self-protection"; the goshinheki is a barrier constructed for an instant using spiritual energy. The goshinha is effective when maintained, but the goshinheki takes shape in the instant the caster is attacked and is a basic method of self-protection. However, its weakness is that it cannot protect the caster against 100% of the damage caused by the attack.» collapsed, and he was flung hard to the ground. Naoe immediately attempted to cast an «outer bind gebaku (外縛)
Also known as: gebakuhou (外縛法), gaibaku
Lit.: "outer bind"; a method of tying a spirit body or physical body to one place such that they cannot move, also commonly called "paralysis". Kagetora and company use gebakuhou when they wish to perform «choubuku» on especially powerful spirits or a large host of spirits during "kouhou-choubuku" or "kekkai-choubuku", etc.», but was disrupted by Kotarou’s suggestion. Gritting his teeth against the new welt running from his throat down his right flank, he counterattacked with «nenpa nenpa (念波)
Lit.: "waves of will/thought"; a nendouryoku attack using spiritual energy which focuses the will and releases it in a burst to strike at a target.».

Kotarou stopped it with a «wall goshinheki (護身壁)
Lit.: "wall of self-protection"; the goshinheki is a barrier constructed for an instant using spiritual energy. The goshinha is effective when maintained, but the goshinheki takes shape in the instant the caster is attacked and is a basic method of self-protection. However, its weakness is that it cannot protect the caster against 100% of the damage caused by the attack.». He drew the short sword at his waist and traced a shape in midair. The afterimage scorched itself into Naoe’s retinas. It had been a distraction, and left him vulnerable.

“Shyaaaaae!” Kotarou flung several twinkling scale-like objects at Naoe with a strange yell.

“Ugh...”

They clung tightly to him, draining the power out of his body. His joints crackled, warped and elongated. The scales turned hard and heavy as cement, bearing him to the ground. Kotarou swooped down on him and yanked Naoe’s head back by his hair, baring Naoe’s neck to the short sword in his other hand.

"Now I will grant your prayers. Go to your death without pain.

Naoe opened his eyes and struggled with all his might, but to no avail. Kotarou pressed the blade against his carotid artery...and the ground bulged upward. An instant later, the spell of revivification gushed forth.

“Waugh!” Kotarou flinched back, and Naoe flung a razor whirlwind at him. Then he concentrated all his will on the fishscales covering him.

(Obey me...!)

A section peeled off with a clink. He tored the rest off one by one and seized control, commanding the strange objects to turn on Kotarou.

“Augh!”

The fishscales shot unwaveringly at Kotarou, covering his mouth, dragging his shoulders and feet to the ground before hardening as before and rendering him unable to move. Naoe focused his will—but Kotarou was not yet done. He concentrated his power between his brows.

“Gwah!”

A swarm of butterflies suddenly attacked Naoe, the dust from their wings burning his eyes and smothering his nose and mouth. Kotarou quickly smashed apart the cement weighing him down and rose. He stalked into Naoe’s blurred field of vision carrying the Tsutsuga Mirror and his short sword at the ready.

“Let’s settle this, Naoe.”

“What...!”

Kotarou split apart. Dozens of identical Kotarous now surrounded Naoe, all of them with short swords poised to strike. This was the Fuuma specialty, the illusion of self-division. “There’s no escape.” “This is the end,” they yelled.

That, too, was a suggestion, one used to sap an opponent of the will to fight. The circle of Kotarous kicked simultaneously off the ground and hurtled toward Naoe at their dead center. Knowing that he could not rely on sight to discern between truth and illusion, Naoe shut his eyes tightly and focused his mind. But Kotarou had completely erased even the traces of his movements, and Naoe could not read him.

(The Tsutsuga Mirror,) Naoe thought. Even if Kotarou could veil himself, he could not conceal the ‘aura’ of the Tsutsuga Mirror. Naoe concentrated. Swords charged at him from all directions. Naoe’s eyes snapped open.

(Here!)

Thwack!

The stinging counterstrike threw Kotarou backwards. He somersaulted through the air and crumbled to the ground, the Tsutsuga Mirror tumbling out of his grip to land upon the gravel. A crack appeared in it.

“Damn you!” Kotarou shot a «nenpa nenpa (念波)
Lit.: "waves of will/thought"; a nendouryoku attack using spiritual energy which focuses the will and releases it in a burst to strike at a target.» at Naoe, who blocked it with a flawless «goshinha goshinha (護身波)
Lit. "wave of self-protection"; the goshinha is a protective mesh spun from fine strands of spiritual energy which surrounds the caster and protects from an opponent's spiritual as well as physical attacks. The mesh gains strength and stability when it is multi-layered and becomes the goshinheki. The goshinha is Naoe's forte.».

He laid his hand on the ground. “Lightning, strike!”

Two spears of lightning lanced across the ground, enveloping Kotarou and the Tsutsuga Mirror in brilliant white light.

Within the inner shrine, the Great Tsutsuga exploded in place and vanished.

“What the...!” It broke the chanting Chiaki out of his trance. He turned to look.

Many miles away, Takaya suddenly lost his connection to the Great Tsutsuga, which told him at once that something had happened.

A crack ran through the male Tsutsuga Mirror, and golden light poured through. Then the mirror broke in half.

(Is it done...?!)

More cracks ran through the two halves. A second later it had shattered into tiny pieces.

Naoe had turned away from the intense light. After ascertaining its destruction, he immediately whirled back to Kotarou.

—To empty air. No charred corpse lay smoldering on the ground, so he was forced to conclude that Kotarou had affected his escape an instant before the lightning struck him.

“Kotarou...!” Though his scream burned with hatred, it reached only vacant space: Kotarou had already vanished.

At last the great purification spell blanketed the entire Mt. Nikkou Nikkou-san (日光山)
Mt. Nikkou, located in the north-west part of Tochigi Prefecture, is one of the 100 famous mountains of Japan and centers on Mt. Nantai, Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou. area.

The majority of the Houjou «nue nue (鵺)
In Japanese mythology, the nue is a chimera formed from the head of a monkey, the body of a tanuki, the legs of a tiger, and a snake-tail. The nue can transform into a black cloud and brings illness and misfortune.
In Mirage of Blaze: The troops of the various clans, lumped-together masses of onryou, are called the «nue». Mori Ranmaru commands the Nue-shuu of the Oda, who are onryou with strong powers.» had already fallen to its terrible power. Their former vessels lay scattered on the ground. Though the spell affected only heretical spirits, the lately-possessed would also suffer if left too long.

Oooooooooh—

Ooooooooo—

The mountain echoed with the moans of the tree-bound.

(Oh no...!)

The destruction of the male Tsutsuga Mirror alone would not free them from their tree-binding.

(Where is the female Tsutsuga Mirror?!)

The barrier erected by the Houjou over the whole of Mt. Nikkou Nikkou-san (日光山)
Mt. Nikkou, located in the north-west part of Tochigi Prefecture, is one of the 100 famous mountains of Japan and centers on Mt. Nantai, Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou. crumbled in an instant.

The power of Tenkai Tenkai (天海) 1536 - Nov. 13, 1643
Tenkai was a Tendai Buddhist monk who achieved the highest rank of the priesthood and became abbot of Kita-in at Kawagoe in 1588. He served Tokugawa Ieyasu as liaison between the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Imperial Court at Kyoto. After Ieyasu's death in 1616, he also served the 2nd Tokugawa Shogun, Tokugawa Hidetada, and the 3rd, Tokugawa Iemitsu. Among his projects were the rebuilding of Enryaku Temple on Mount Hiei, the restoration of Rinnou Temple in Nikkou, and the establishment of Kan'ei-ji in Ueno.’s great ritual had turned into white steam, shooting gloriously from the ground toward the sky.

Still clad in priestly robes, a dumbfounded Ujimasa stared helplessly at the sight. “What...in the world...”

Though the revived spell had but a portion of the power of the original spell cast four hundred years ago, it had still been enough to blow the Houjou out of the water. Such was Tenkai Tenkai (天海) 1536 - Nov. 13, 1643
Tenkai was a Tendai Buddhist monk who achieved the highest rank of the priesthood and became abbot of Kita-in at Kawagoe in 1588. He served Tokugawa Ieyasu as liaison between the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Imperial Court at Kyoto. After Ieyasu's death in 1616, he also served the 2nd Tokugawa Shogun, Tokugawa Hidetada, and the 3rd, Tokugawa Iemitsu. Among his projects were the rebuilding of Enryaku Temple on Mount Hiei, the restoration of Rinnou Temple in Nikkou, and the establishment of Kan'ei-ji in Ueno.’s greatness; such was the greatness of the man who had won this man as his ally, Tokugawa Ieyasu Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康) 1543 – 1616
Also called: Matsudaira Takechiyo, Matsudaira Motoyasu
Titles: Mikawa no Kami, Shogun
Historically: The third of the "Three Unifiers"; an ally of Oda Nobunaga, after Nobunaga's death he first battled against then became an ally of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. When Hideyoshi died in 1598, Tokugawa moved against Hideyoshi's son and heir Toyotomi Hideyori and the five regents appointed to protect the Toyotomi rule. Tokugawa, along with his allies the Date and Mogami, and the defected Kobayakawa and Mouri clans, defeated the opposition at the Battle of Sekigahara and established the Tokugawa Shogunate.. Ujimasa could only prostrate himself before these two giants.

(This is what it means to be the supreme conqueror...)

Toyotomi Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉) 1536 - 1598
Also called: Hiyoshimaru (日吉丸), Kinoshita Tokichiro (木下藤吉郎), Hashiba Hideyoshi (羽柴秀吉)
Titles: Kanpaku, Taikou, Chikuzen no Kami
Historically: The second of the "Three Unifiers"; he was born a peasant but rose quickly through the ranks of Oda Nobunaga's vassals to the position of one of Nobunaga's most distinguished generals. After Nobunaga's death, he took over the work of unifying the nation through military strength and brought an end to the Sengoku period., who had destroyed them. Tokugawa, who had destroyed Toyotomi in turn to become the final victor of the Sengoku Sengoku (戦国)
The "warring states" period, lasting from 1467 to 1615, in which the warlords of Japan battled each other for the rule of the country.. A great soul indeed.

Ujimasa could only stand frozen and devastated within the sublime spell-induced breeze.

“Tono honorifics
A brief list of honorifics used in address:
san (さん) - the most common honorific, usually used to address someone outside one's immediate circle with respect
kun (君) - usually used towards boys and men of junior status or equal age and status
chan (ちゃん) - a diminutive used mainly towards children, and intimate friends, especially women; also used as an endearment for girls
sama (様) - the formal form of "san", showing a high level of respect
senpai (先輩) - used to refer to someone with a more senior status, such as a freshman towards a senior
sensei (先生) - often translated as "teacher", but can actually be used to show respect for anyone with superior knowledge in a field, including doctors and writers
dono/tono (殿) - an antiquated term which roughly translates to "lord", used to show great respect for the addressee, who can be of equal or higher status than the speaker
uji/shi (氏) - in ancient times, carried the meaning "of the ~ clan" or "of the ~ surname"; now used in formal speech and writing to refer to someone unfamiliar to the speaker.
! We must retreat now!” His aide urged desperately. “This position is untenable. Let us retreat from the mountain...!”

“Would you tell me to abandon Mt. Nikkou Nikkou-san (日光山)
Mt. Nikkou, located in the north-west part of Tochigi Prefecture, is one of the 100 famous mountains of Japan and centers on Mt. Nantai, Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou.?!” he snarled.

“Many soldiers still remain to us at Chuuguushi Futarasan Jinja (二荒山神社)
Futarasan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Nikkou founded by Holy Priest Shoudou. It enshrines three mountain deities: Ookuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone of Mt. Nantai (also called Mt. Futara), Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou.
Its main shrine (Honden) was built in 767, its middle shrine (Chuuguushi ) in 784, and its rear shrine (Okumiya) in 782. ! Let us regroup our forces there!”

“Chuuguushi Futarasan Jinja (二荒山神社)
Futarasan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Nikkou founded by Holy Priest Shoudou. It enshrines three mountain deities: Ookuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone of Mt. Nantai (also called Mt. Futara), Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou.
Its main shrine (Honden) was built in 767, its middle shrine (Chuuguushi ) in 784, and its rear shrine (Okumiya) in 782. ...?”

“There is no time! We must go now!”

Ujimasa gritted his teeth against his fury. Finally making his decision, he flung back his sleeves and shouted to his remaining vassals: “Bring the female Tsutsuga Mirror! Proceed to Chuuguushi Futarasan Jinja (二荒山神社)
Futarasan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Nikkou founded by Holy Priest Shoudou. It enshrines three mountain deities: Ookuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone of Mt. Nantai (also called Mt. Futara), Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou.
Its main shrine (Honden) was built in 767, its middle shrine (Chuuguushi ) in 784, and its rear shrine (Okumiya) in 782. !”

“Tono honorifics
A brief list of honorifics used in address:
san (さん) - the most common honorific, usually used to address someone outside one's immediate circle with respect
kun (君) - usually used towards boys and men of junior status or equal age and status
chan (ちゃん) - a diminutive used mainly towards children, and intimate friends, especially women; also used as an endearment for girls
sama (様) - the formal form of "san", showing a high level of respect
senpai (先輩) - used to refer to someone with a more senior status, such as a freshman towards a senior
sensei (先生) - often translated as "teacher", but can actually be used to show respect for anyone with superior knowledge in a field, including doctors and writers
dono/tono (殿) - an antiquated term which roughly translates to "lord", used to show great respect for the addressee, who can be of equal or higher status than the speaker
uji/shi (氏) - in ancient times, carried the meaning "of the ~ clan" or "of the ~ surname"; now used in formal speech and writing to refer to someone unfamiliar to the speaker.
—!”

He whirled. One of his surviving messengers rushed toward him from the direction of the Black Gate Rinnou-ji (輪王寺)
Rinnou Temple is a Tendai Buddhist complex located in Nikkou, Tochigi Prefecture. It was founded by in 766 by Holy Priest Shoudou and became an attractive retreat for those seeking solitude due to its location deep in the mountains of Japan.
In 1590, during the Siege of Odawara, Toyotomi Hideyoshi seized the temple for supporting the Houjou side, causing its decline. However, during the Tokugawa Shogunate Tenkai became the chief priest of the temple and began its revival.
Many structures and artifacts within the temple are designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties. One of the most famous is its main building, Sanbutsudou (三仏堂) or Three Buddha Hall, so-named because it houses large gold lacquered wooden statues of Amida, Senju-Kannon ("Kannon with a thousand arms") and Bato-Kannon ("Kannon with a horse head"). The three deities are regarded as Buddhist manifestations of the three mountain deities of Nikkou enshrined at Futarasan Shrine.
The Black Gate, which is uniformly black from its pillars to its roof tiles, guards the entrance to both Sanbutsudou and the Treasure House.
The Kaizandou, or Founder's Hall, enshrines Shoudou and is located to the north of Toushou Shrine.. His expression was frightful.

“Catastrophe!”

“What has happened?”

“Chuuguushi Futarasan Jinja (二荒山神社)
Futarasan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Nikkou founded by Holy Priest Shoudou. It enshrines three mountain deities: Ookuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone of Mt. Nantai (also called Mt. Futara), Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou.
Its main shrine (Honden) was built in 767, its middle shrine (Chuuguushi ) in 784, and its rear shrine (Okumiya) in 782. is— Our occupying troops were routed by what appeared to be Uesugi’s forces. Chuuguushi Futarasan Jinja (二荒山神社)
Futarasan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Nikkou founded by Holy Priest Shoudou. It enshrines three mountain deities: Ookuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone of Mt. Nantai (also called Mt. Futara), Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou.
Its main shrine (Honden) was built in 767, its middle shrine (Chuuguushi ) in 784, and its rear shrine (Okumiya) in 782. is lost!”

“Wh-what did you say?!”

“Our troops at Chuuguushi Futarasan Jinja (二荒山神社)
Futarasan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Nikkou founded by Holy Priest Shoudou. It enshrines three mountain deities: Ookuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone of Mt. Nantai (also called Mt. Futara), Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou.
Its main shrine (Honden) was built in 767, its middle shrine (Chuuguushi ) in 784, and its rear shrine (Okumiya) in 782. have been annihilated! There was nothing we could do, Tono!”

Rage twisted Ujimasa’s pale face. The veins at his temples swelled and throbbed. His stratagems had collapsed. Hakone Hakone-jinja (箱根神社)
Hakone Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Hakone Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, at the foot of Mt. Hakone along the shores of Lake Ashi. The shrine itself lies hidden in a dense forest, but its large red "floating" shrine gates (Torii of Peace) stand prominently in the lake.
From chronicles stretching back as far as the Nara Period (710-794), Hakone has been named as a spot sacred to the mountain-worshiping religion. The original shrine was founded during the reign of Emperor Koushou (475 BC – 393 BC) on Mt. Komagatake. Holy Priest Mangan revived and relocated the shrine to Lake Ashi in 757. It was separated into three parts dedicated to the deities whom legends says appeared to him in a dream as a Buddhist acolyte, government official and woman and asked him to deliver the grace of the Buddhist and Shinto religions onto mankind.
In the year 801, before general and shogun Sakanoue no Tamuramaro set out on an expedition to quell the Northeast by imperial command, he left an arrow as offering in front of a cedar tree at Hakone Shrine as a prayer for his victory. The tree become known as the Yatate Cedar, or 'Standing Arrow Cedar,' and in later years other legendary generals such as Minamoto no Yoshiie, shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo, and Minamoto no Yoshitsune all left arrows as offerings there.
The shrine was destroyed by fire in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Siege of Odawara and rebuilt by Tokugawa Ieyasu. was already lost, Ujiteru Houjou Ujiteru (北条氏照) 1540? 1541? 1542? - Aug. 10, 1590
Title: Mutsu-no-Kami
Also known as: Houjou Genzou (北条源三), Ooishi Genzou (大石源三)
Ujiteru was the third-born son (second to survive to adulthood) of Houjou Ujiyasu, younger brother of Houjou Ujimasa, and older brother of Houjou Ujikuni, Houjou Ujinori, Houjou Ujitada, Houjou Saburou (Uesugi Kagetora), and Houjou Ujimitsu. He was widely extolled for his courage and wisdom.
In 1559, he married Hisa, the daughter of Ooishi Sadahisa, master of Takiyama Castle in Musashi, and became Ooishi's adopted son and heir. (Later, Ooishi became a vassal of the Houjou clan, and Ujiteru regained the Houjou surname.)
In the following years, Ujiteru followed his father into several battles with neighboring clans, which greatly increased the Houjou sphere of influence. He also excelled at diplomacy, and maneuvered the alliance between the Houjou and Uesugi clans into place in 1569. He also secretly built up diplomatic relations with the Date Clan. Though he wanted the clan to form an alliance with the Oda Clan during Oda's period in power, the plan fell through because of opposition within the family and Oda's death.
In 1569, while the Takeda army was en route to a siege of Odawara Castle, a detachment of the Takeda army led by Oyamada Nobushige attacked Takiyama Castle, penetrating all the way to the outermost wall. Ujiteru crossed spears with Takeda Katsuyori during the battle. Ujiteru's forces managed to stave them off, but dissatisfied with Takiyama's defenses, Ujiteru abandoned it in favor of Hachiouji Castle.
In September of 1579, Ujiteru and his younger brother Ujikuni went to the aid of their brother Uesugi Kagetora in the Otate no Ran, but were stopped short by snow and hard-fought battles.
In 1590, during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Siege of Odawara, he entrusted his main castle, Hachiouji Castle to a loyal vassal and barricaded himself in Odawara. Due to that fact, Toyotomi saw him as one of the pro-resistance leaders, and demanded his death along with his brother Ujimasa's. Ujiteru committed seppuku with Ujimasa on August 10.
He wrote as his death poem:
「天地の　清き中より　生まれきて　もとのすみかに　帰るべらなり」
which may be translated thus:
We are born into
the brightness betwixt heaven
and earth; yet there is
another dwelling to which
we must all someday return.
Ujiteru's tomb is located near Hachiouji Castle. killed. Mt. Nikkou Nikkou-san (日光山)
Mt. Nikkou, located in the north-west part of Tochigi Prefecture, is one of the 100 famous mountains of Japan and centers on Mt. Nantai, Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou. had been taken from him, and what should have been his fall-back position had crumbled beneath his feet. All of it destroyed by the hands of his brother, Saburou Kagetora...!

“Damn you... I will never forgive you for this, Saburou!” Ujimasa screamed with raw, naked hatred. “Head for Chuuguushi Futarasan Jinja (二荒山神社)
Futarasan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Nikkou founded by Holy Priest Shoudou. It enshrines three mountain deities: Ookuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone of Mt. Nantai (also called Mt. Futara), Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou.
Its main shrine (Honden) was built in 767, its middle shrine (Chuuguushi ) in 784, and its rear shrine (Okumiya) in 782. ! I will take Saburou’s head for this! I will find him! He will be at Chuuguushi Futarasan Jinja (二荒山神社)
Futarasan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Nikkou founded by Holy Priest Shoudou. It enshrines three mountain deities: Ookuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone of Mt. Nantai (also called Mt. Futara), Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou.
Its main shrine (Honden) was built in 767, its middle shrine (Chuuguushi ) in 784, and its rear shrine (Okumiya) in 782. !”

“Tono honorifics
A brief list of honorifics used in address:
san (さん) - the most common honorific, usually used to address someone outside one's immediate circle with respect
kun (君) - usually used towards boys and men of junior status or equal age and status
chan (ちゃん) - a diminutive used mainly towards children, and intimate friends, especially women; also used as an endearment for girls
sama (様) - the formal form of "san", showing a high level of respect
senpai (先輩) - used to refer to someone with a more senior status, such as a freshman towards a senior
sensei (先生) - often translated as "teacher", but can actually be used to show respect for anyone with superior knowledge in a field, including doctors and writers
dono/tono (殿) - an antiquated term which roughly translates to "lord", used to show great respect for the addressee, who can be of equal or higher status than the speaker
uji/shi (氏) - in ancient times, carried the meaning "of the ~ clan" or "of the ~ surname"; now used in formal speech and writing to refer to someone unfamiliar to the speaker.
!”

“I will kill him! I will kill him with my own two hands!” Ujimasa’s wrath gushed forth. “I’m going to kill you, Saburou...!”

Takaya shivered and opened his eyes to his room at Asaoka Inn. He had felt Naoe breaking the male Tsutsuga Mirror and was once again using the Gohou Douji Gohou Douji (護法童子)
Also known as: Gohou Douji of the Sword
Lit.: "Dharma-protecting boy"; a variety of demon-deity in the service of Bishamonten who can be summoned by a high priest with mikkyou to do his bidding. They look like boys of 9 or 10 with red hair and golden skin who wear a thousand swords and ride on top of a magic wheel. Their power and skills are varied and depend on the power of their summoners.
In Mirage of Blaze, Takaya summons the Gohou Douji by writing Bishamonten's mantra on a piece of paper in Sanskrit and wrapping it around a dagger while chanting On beishiramandaya sowaka, then drawing Bishamonten’s seed syllable in the air above the blade before placing the fore- and middle fingers of his right hand against his forehead. He then touches the sword to his fingers, whereupon the paper ignites, and the Gohou Douji appears from the fire. to keep watch over Mt. Nikkou Nikkou-san (日光山)
Mt. Nikkou, located in the north-west part of Tochigi Prefecture, is one of the 100 famous mountains of Japan and centers on Mt. Nantai, Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou. from afar.

Someone burst into the room.

“Kagetora!”

Ayako, who had led the raid on Chuuguushi Futarasan Jinja (二荒山神社)
Futarasan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Nikkou founded by Holy Priest Shoudou. It enshrines three mountain deities: Ookuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone of Mt. Nantai (also called Mt. Futara), Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou.
Its main shrine (Honden) was built in 767, its middle shrine (Chuuguushi ) in 784, and its rear shrine (Okumiya) in 782. with Kousaka and the Date.

“We did it! We took Chuuguushi Futarasan Jinja (二荒山神社)
Futarasan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Nikkou founded by Holy Priest Shoudou. It enshrines three mountain deities: Ookuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone of Mt. Nantai (also called Mt. Futara), Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou.
Its main shrine (Honden) was built in 767, its middle shrine (Chuuguushi ) in 784, and its rear shrine (Okumiya) in 782. ! The Houjou’re running with their tails between their legs!”

“Good...”

“And I got a message from Nagahide on my way here—he said Ujimasa and his men are evacuating with the Tsutsuga Mirror! We gotta go after them now!”

“There’s no need,” Takaya asserted. “My brother will make his way here to Chuuzenji. He’s coming with the female Tsutsuga Mirror.”

“Here...? To retake Chuuguushi Futarasan Jinja (二荒山神社)
Futarasan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Nikkou founded by Holy Priest Shoudou. It enshrines three mountain deities: Ookuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone of Mt. Nantai (also called Mt. Futara), Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou.
Its main shrine (Honden) was built in 767, its middle shrine (Chuuguushi ) in 784, and its rear shrine (Okumiya) in 782. ?”

“That’s likely one of his plans. But first he’s coming after me.”

“You—? You mean Ujimasa’s coming here to kill you, his own brother?”

Takaya bit his lip, his expression full of pain as he fixed a sharp gaze on Mt. Nantai Nantai-san (男体山)
Also known as: Futara-san (二荒山)
Mount Nantai is one of the 100 famous mountains in Japan, located in Nikkou, Tochigi Prefecture and formed from a stratovolcano. It is worshiped as a sacred mountain and was first scaled by Shoudou in 782, who founded the first shrines there. through the window. Ujimasa would never forgive him for his defiance, for standing in the way of his plans. He could no longer avoid this war between brothers.

(Aniue aniue (兄上)
A more formal way to address an older brother than "onii-san" or its variants; could be translated as "honorable elder brother"....) his heart whispered. He allowed it one moment of anguish before locking away his feelings and steeling himself to face his brother as an enemy once more.

“Let’s head to Chuuguushi Futarasan Jinja (二荒山神社)
Futarasan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Nikkou founded by Holy Priest Shoudou. It enshrines three mountain deities: Ookuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone of Mt. Nantai (also called Mt. Futara), Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou.
Its main shrine (Honden) was built in 767, its middle shrine (Chuuguushi ) in 784, and its rear shrine (Okumiya) in 782. .”

“You’re going head-to-head with Ujimasa?”

“We have to break the female Tsutsuga Mirror. The Houjou must be destroyed,” Takaya stated without hesitation, and stood. “Let’s go.”

“Kagetora.”

“Don’t interfere, Haruie. I’m my brother’s target; his hatred is for me alone. The Houjou army has already been annihilated. He no longer has the strength to take Chuuguushi Futarasan Jinja (二荒山神社)
Futarasan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Nikkou founded by Holy Priest Shoudou. It enshrines three mountain deities: Ookuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone of Mt. Nantai (also called Mt. Futara), Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou.
Its main shrine (Honden) was built in 767, its middle shrine (Chuuguushi ) in 784, and its rear shrine (Okumiya) in 782. in a direct attack.” Takaya’s tiger’s eyes quietly flashed. He said without turning, “Let’s head to Chuuguushi Futarasan Jinja (二荒山神社)
Futarasan Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Nikkou founded by Holy Priest Shoudou. It enshrines three mountain deities: Ookuninushi, Tagorihime, and Ajisukitakahikone of Mt. Nantai (also called Mt. Futara), Mt. Nyohou, and Mt. Tarou.
Its main shrine (Honden) was built in 767, its middle shrine (Chuuguushi ) in 784, and its rear shrine (Okumiya) in 782. .”

## Comments

### Thank you

Thank you for this new translation! It will be interesting to rewatch the animation after reading these parts in the novels and compare things. Ujimasa lost his composure so completely here. Looking forward to see him face to face with Kagetora after this.

## Add new comment

Your name Ixtli
Subject
Comment *
Rich Text Editor, edit-comment-body-und-0-value
Editor toolbars Bold Italic Underline Strikethrough Insert/Remove Bulleted List Insert/Remove Numbered List Undo Redo Link Unlink Anchor Image Superscript Subscript Block Quote Source Insert Horizontal Line Cut Copy Paste Paste as plain text Paste from Word Remove Format Insert Special Character Table Select All Find Replace Flash Smiley IFrame Spell Check As You Type
Press ALT 0 for help
◢Elements path
Disable rich-text

More information about text formats

Text format

### Filtered HTML

- Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
- Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <blockquote> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <img> <iframe> <object> <h2> <h3> <h4> <h5> <p> <del> <u> <sup> <sub> <hr> <table> <tr> <td> <thead> <tbody>
- Lines and paragraphs break automatically.

### Plain text

- No HTML tags allowed.
- Lines and paragraphs break automatically.