Shiki Novel Translations 2.0 and notes

[sinnesspiel]

Links to Chapter 2:
Chapter 2 - 1
Chapter 2 - 2
Chapter 2 - 3
Chapter 2 - 4
Chapter 2 - 5

Edits to Part 1:
Added to Chapter 1 Translation Notes: Family Honorifics and reference for siblings, General Japanese Faith/Spirituality/Supernatural Based Translation Notes, Hokora, Jizo, Tengu

Changed all translations of hokora as shrines back to hokora due to needing to distinguish it from the larger shrine in later chapters (changes are in Seishin's Essay and Chapter 1-2).


Chapter 2 Translation Notes:

Chapter 2-1

Villages, Towns; Mizobe, annexations, Sotoba vs. Sotoba Village - Government and addresses in Japan are arranged, from top down: Nation (Japan, the country), Prefecture (47 total), to Municipalities. Think federal, state, county, for Americans.  

Municipalities are either designated as cities, towns, or villages based on population, among other factors. Because it cuts down on red tape to pool resources, there is a push for annexation; thus, Sotoba was absorbed into the larger nearby town of Mizobe and should technically not be designated as a village any longer. Cities are generally broken down into wards or towns listed on mailing envelopes, then district, blocks, and house numbers.  

While a 'town' can be a direct breakdown of a prefecture, breakdowns of cities are also called towns, as a carry over from the tendency of towns to be built on the outskirts of cities only to be annexed later. The seven portions of Sotoba, Kami-Naka-Monzen, Shimo-Sotoba-Mizuguchi, and Yamairi are translated as neighborhoods or communities. 


Chapter 2-3

Koushin-sama - Something of a lost folksy god derived from blending Buddhism, Shintoism and Taoism, Koushin is a Taoist god who is believed to prevent worms in the body from sneaking out every 60th night and telling higher order gods about people's bad deeds, which would lead to punishment. The three monkeys covering their eyes, mouths and ears represent how he won't allow God or the worms to hear, see or speak of people's evil. He's also a god of agriculture who blesses harvests and crops on those 60th days. An example of a hokora with Koushin, from hikabekagu.exblog.jp. 

Tumulus/Tumuli - Memorial sites, mounds of dirt or rocks raised up over a grave-site. Often used to commemorate local legends, there are usually markers such as plants or statues or the like. Maintenance of them is considered a good deed and holy work. They vary in size; no image as they're generally just, well, mounds. 

Koubou-sama - Buddhist monk Kukai, founder of the Shingon or "True Word" school of Buddhism  One of Japan's most famous holy figures, he was important in literature, religion and government in his day. Was given the title Koubou Daishi after death, Koubou translating as "spreading or teaching Buddhism." and Daishi as "Great Teacher." Example of a Koubou statue. 


Shinto Temples
Shinto temples are denoted on maps by the arch gates that mark their entrance, and the general entrance into holy areas. There are no doors on them, they're really more of a flat-topped arch called a tori than a gate. Example of an arch from Wikimedia Commons. Buddhist temples may also have these, but more commonly (or in addition to the arches) have gates  Near the entrance is a fountain for purification/hand washing. 

The Kagura Hall is an open stage originally used for Noh plays and musical offerings to the gods. Example of a Kagura Hall from Flickr. 

The Main Hall where the shrine god, represented by a statue, mirror or other symbol, resides. It remains consistently closed to the public. Example of a Main Hall from Wikimedia Commons. 

As the main hall is off limits to the public, public worship takes place in a worship hall. This is where the bell ringing and general worship take place. 


Otabisho -  The place where the god's palanquin, or portable shrines, rests during festivals. Usually still on shrine grounds. Gods don't leave their shrines other than during festivals, when they're put in portable shrines and carried about, for example during the Shinkousai for celebration. They may be left out for only one day or for several days, during special celebratory periods.

Inari - Gods of harvests, usually rice specifically, represented by foxes that tend to serve as Inari's messengers or workers. There are many stories and legends surrounding them, and several different gods that are associated with Inari.  Example of an Inari statue with banners.




--I don't remember where this came in but it's in my notes for things to culture note. I'll just stick it here:

Household/Family Shrines - Not just limited to roadsides, homes often have Shinto shrines meant to house gods as well. Charms known as Ofuda are stored in them and prayers are said at the house-bound shrine where offerings of food and drink are to be set out. An example of a household shrine from Yosokan Dojo, with the mirror being the object housing the god.