Sinnesspiel (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sinnesspiel) wrote2015-02-24 07:51 pm
sinnesspiel) wrote2015-02-24 07:51 pm
Entry tags:
Shiki Novel Translations 3.7.0
Links to Chapters
7-1
7-2
7-3
7-4
7-5
7-6
7-7
Cultural Notes
The ofuda note was put in the Notes for 3-4-4 as well, as ultimately the charms Ikumi sold were determined to need to be translated as ofuda rather than general charms, to differentiate and describe them as specific from the other supernatural objects described within the story in other chapters. Likewise, ofuda was put in the appropriate place in chapter 3-4-4 rather than just charm.
7-3
She hid a bag with a charm in it and laid a protective arrow across the headboard. The ofuda charm she had was just one she had taken from their kitchen, so it was possible it didn't mean or do anything at all, but for the time being she plastered it do the window glass.
Ofuda - A piece of paper, cloth or plank of wood or metal with the name or symbol of a god and/or temple or shrine written on it. Said to be imbibed with a portion of a god or spirit (which can be divided indefinitely), they can be made with specialized blessings in mind, such as for luck in studying, safety in traveling, fertility, healthy childbirth, etc. They're meant to be put in the family shrine or altar but can also be placed elsewhere; for example, it's common to have one in the kitchen to prevent house fires. It's customary to bring ofuda in to a temple to replace every year, to dispose of the old charm loaded with bad luck in a ritualistic and grateful manner rather than treating it like common trash. In a more cynical view, purchases of them are seen as a donation to the temple or shrine. Sample image from Wikimedia Commons (Kyouha Kenkyuu (Sect Research)).
Bag with a charm in it - It's common for shrines and temples to sell charms in the form of small paper or cardboard ofuda tucked inside of an embossed or embroidered pouch. The charms are popular souvenirs sold at both Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples. The charm within the bag is said to take the bad luck for the carrier besides just bringing good luck and unlike ofuda installed either in the shrine or somewhere in the house, the bagged charms are kept on one's person or on or in one's bag, purse, wallet, etc. Like ofuda, it's customary to replace these once per year. Sample image of several of such charms from Wikimedia Commons (public domain).
Protective Arrow (Hamaya; literally exorcism arrow) - A dull-tipped ceremonial arrow. Because the target of a ceremonial arrow is said not to be a person or thing but noxious spiritual fumes, bad will or intent, or other intangible wickedness, it is said not to need a tip. They are said to be used in ancient exorcisms and are a common symbol. They are often given to newborn boys at their first new years festival or placed facing the northeast (where evil is most likely to come from) of a building during construction. Archery itself is a in some Japanese schools of archery more of a spiritual practice than a physical one, akin to a meditation ritual; the spiritual connotations of arrows are part of Japanese Buddhism as well as Shintoism and may be purchased at both temples and shrines.
7.5
She had a single cup of either sake or shouchuu.
Shouchuu - A type of Japanese liquor made from distilling one or more ingredients, typically grain, potatoes, rice, or their koji molds, or possibly brown sugar. There are less common shochuu made with sesame or chestnuts. It's usually about 25% alcohol, weaker than whisky or vodka but stronger than wine or sake.
7-1
7-2
7-3
7-4
7-5
7-6
7-7
Cultural Notes
The ofuda note was put in the Notes for 3-4-4 as well, as ultimately the charms Ikumi sold were determined to need to be translated as ofuda rather than general charms, to differentiate and describe them as specific from the other supernatural objects described within the story in other chapters. Likewise, ofuda was put in the appropriate place in chapter 3-4-4 rather than just charm.
7-3
She hid a bag with a charm in it and laid a protective arrow across the headboard. The ofuda charm she had was just one she had taken from their kitchen, so it was possible it didn't mean or do anything at all, but for the time being she plastered it do the window glass.
Ofuda - A piece of paper, cloth or plank of wood or metal with the name or symbol of a god and/or temple or shrine written on it. Said to be imbibed with a portion of a god or spirit (which can be divided indefinitely), they can be made with specialized blessings in mind, such as for luck in studying, safety in traveling, fertility, healthy childbirth, etc. They're meant to be put in the family shrine or altar but can also be placed elsewhere; for example, it's common to have one in the kitchen to prevent house fires. It's customary to bring ofuda in to a temple to replace every year, to dispose of the old charm loaded with bad luck in a ritualistic and grateful manner rather than treating it like common trash. In a more cynical view, purchases of them are seen as a donation to the temple or shrine. Sample image from Wikimedia Commons (Kyouha Kenkyuu (Sect Research)).
Bag with a charm in it - It's common for shrines and temples to sell charms in the form of small paper or cardboard ofuda tucked inside of an embossed or embroidered pouch. The charms are popular souvenirs sold at both Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples. The charm within the bag is said to take the bad luck for the carrier besides just bringing good luck and unlike ofuda installed either in the shrine or somewhere in the house, the bagged charms are kept on one's person or on or in one's bag, purse, wallet, etc. Like ofuda, it's customary to replace these once per year. Sample image of several of such charms from Wikimedia Commons (public domain).
Protective Arrow (Hamaya; literally exorcism arrow) - A dull-tipped ceremonial arrow. Because the target of a ceremonial arrow is said not to be a person or thing but noxious spiritual fumes, bad will or intent, or other intangible wickedness, it is said not to need a tip. They are said to be used in ancient exorcisms and are a common symbol. They are often given to newborn boys at their first new years festival or placed facing the northeast (where evil is most likely to come from) of a building during construction. Archery itself is a in some Japanese schools of archery more of a spiritual practice than a physical one, akin to a meditation ritual; the spiritual connotations of arrows are part of Japanese Buddhism as well as Shintoism and may be purchased at both temples and shrines.
7.5
She had a single cup of either sake or shouchuu.
Shouchuu - A type of Japanese liquor made from distilling one or more ingredients, typically grain, potatoes, rice, or their koji molds, or possibly brown sugar. There are less common shochuu made with sesame or chestnuts. It's usually about 25% alcohol, weaker than whisky or vodka but stronger than wine or sake.