Eight Clouds Rising (Yakumo Tatsu)

Original Story by Natsumi Ichiki

Eight Clouds Rising

Years ago, my grandfather was a swordsmith, and a master of his trade.

But his home was destroyed in the Tokyo air raids...

...and my grandfather was killed.

My father became an ordinary office worker...

...and the only reminder of the family trade was a single ceremonial sword that...

...my grandfather had treasured.

So heavy...

I can't believe how heavy this is.

Hey, Nanachi.

Ema Senpai!

Sorry, I'm a little late.

It's a long walk from the train station.

Of course, they wouldn't let me on the plane carrying something like this...

Uh, where's Kitano Senpai?

He went off to rent a car with some woman.

Woman?

Kitano's that kind of guy.

Then why did you decide to come on this trip to Izumo?

You're too good-natured. You're fair game for someone as manipulative as Kitano.

I couldn't let you go alone, could I?

Another thing, I've got to graduate next year no matter what!

Aha! So you're after my notes, are you?

So you're here, Nanachi.

Kitano Senpai!

Hope it wasn't too much of an inconvenience to have me come by train alone.

Hey, you did us a favor.

Is that it?

The sword your dad wants you to purify?

Yes.

When I told him we were going to a shrine for Futsunushi and Susanoo...

...he said I should take this because Futsunushi is the God of Swords.

My grandfather left us this.

I see. Show it to me later, okay?

I wish I could, but the ornaments on the scabbard have been remade...

...so you can't draw it anymore.

That's too bad...

Well, we should get going!

Is this him? The boy from your school?

He's so cute!

Hello, I'm Takeo Nanachi.

This is Chika Toda, she's an actress in my theater group.

Nanachi, you're going to be 21 this year, right?

You're the same age as Chika.

No way!

I thought you were still in high school!

Kitano Senpai's an alumnus of my college...

We're getting farther away from the city, but sure there's an inn somewhere?

No, we're actually going to be staying at a house in the village.

What house in the village?

It's the home of a martial art master.

Martial art?

The art of the quick draw. They have a lot of power in the community...

...and they're letting us stay in their guesthouse.

So are you here to do research for your next script?

Right.

Do you remember in the Kojiki how Izanagi closes off the border...

...between this world and the netherworld with a huge boulder?

Well, that happened in Yomotsu Hirasaka.

Huh.

And Yomotsu Hirasaka is thought to be Ifuyasaka in the land of Izumo.

Wait, isn't Ifuya...

Right, different Chinese characters but we're headed for a village called Ifuyamura.

In other words, it's a village thought to have inherited the spirit of the ancient Izumo tribe.

Ancient Izumo tribe?

One of the tribes from the south.

They were a thorn in the side of the ancient Yamato Dynasty, they refused to submit to the central powers.

Oh, so they were barbarians.

Yes, the Yamato Dynasty spoke of such savage tribes with the utmost contempt.

Like what?

Well, like the Kumaso tribe...

They also used words like demon or snake, they called the Izumo tribe...

...ground-spiders.

Ground-spiders?

Jesus Christ. They were humans too.

What's this feeling of dread?

It's almost as if they were talking about me...

Looks like we finally reached Ifuyamura or whatever it's called.

That was a long drive, it's after five already.

Oh damn, today's the first day of the Kannagi Festival at the Chigaishi Shrine...

...but it would be rude of us not to go see the Fuzuchi family first.

Fuzuchi family?

They're the ones who're putting us up tonight.

Then why don't we do this?

I'll go to the festival and take a few pictures.

You can go on to the Fuzuchi's while I'm doing that.

You know what? You're too self-sacrificing to be true!

Huh?

Why should Kitano and Toda get to relax while you and I are working?

I didn't ask you to come along, you know.

I just didn't want to be stuck with those two, that's all.

The Kannagi Festival is a secret ceremony held only once every 49 years.

Once every 49 years, huh?

Is this Chigaishi Shrine?

It's pretty creepy!

Oh, there are people on the grounds.

Of course there are, it's a festival, after all.

Yeah, but I don't see any night-stalls.

It's just too quiet, you know?

Hey, everybody's gathered around the temple.

Let's go over there!

Excuse me, can you tell me what's going on?

Yes, the Priestess is going to do her Dance of Purification.

I see, the Priestess is going to dance, huh?

That Priestess is pretty hot.

What's that? It looks like a shadow...

Can't anyone else see it?

But it's so obvious!

That was totally intense, and a pretty strange festival, don't you think?

Yes.

Anyway, are you sure this is the way?

Absolutely.

They said it was huge, and the only house around here.

That must be it!

That's the Fuzuchi house?

It's a freakin' castle!

Good evening!

Is anyone home?

Yes?

Oh, excuse us, we came here from Tokyo...

Oh yes, the theater group...

The others are already here.

Please, come in.

The master has been waiting for you...

Pardon me...

Have they arrived?

Yes, miss.

This is Miss Yasuko, the master's daughter.

Daughter?

Welcome to our home.

You're the Priestess!

What?

You were dancing at the shrine just now!

Hey, right! We were there, we saw you!

Actually, no, it wasn't me.

That was Kuraki, my brother...

Your brother?

For generations, my family has served as priests at all the shrines in this area.

According to my father, a true Priestess has no clear gender.

That's why we always play opposite roles.

When I perform, I dance as a man.

Really...

This way, please.

Welcome. Please sit down.

I heard you went to Chigaishi Shrine.

Yes, sir.

Father, these two thought I was Kuraki!

I see...

That was...

I can't blame you, really, Kuraki was in a divine trance after all.

A divine trance?

That's right, during the ceremonial dance, the Priestess, or shaman...

...enters the world of the divine.

So when you saw Kuraki, he wasn't quite himself.

Normally, our Kuraki is just a boy who likes swords...

Speaking of swords, is it true that you're the Master of a quick-draw technique?

Yes, this was allowed because Chigaishi is a shrine for the Sword God.

We call it the Fuzuchi Shinryu technique, and I am the 14th master.

Then I guess the 15th will be your son Kuraki?

Yes, I suppose so.

Please excuse me.

We were just talking about you.

Come in, son.

I have just returned.

He's nothing like the Priestess we just saw at the shrine!

Kuraki, these are the people from the theater group in Tokyo.

Welcome to our home.

Thank you for your hospitality.

We really do appreciate it.

W-What did I do to deserve that look?

Kuraki, since you're done with your exams...

...why don't you take our guests to the historic sites tomorrow?

But what about the divine rituals?

We must entertain our guests, they've come a long way.

Do you hear me?

Yes, Father.

I will come for you tomorrow morning.

Well, thank you very much!

Wow, this is amazing!

This guesthouse alone is bigger than my whole house!

Speaking of amazing, did you know that kid Kuraki is only 16?

It's different when you grow up with ancient martial arts.

Yes, he's got star quality, I wish I could recruit him as an actor!

That's a good idea!

If I could play with a gorgeous kid like that, I'd give the performance of my life!

And you call yourself an actress?

Excuse me...

I'm a little tired, so I think I'll go take a bath...

Ghost!

They went by the main house!

Kuraki!

You saw, didn't you?

Yes, I did, actually!

You filthy pervert.

No, no, I was talking about the ghost, I saw it!

Oh, that.

What do you mean?

You're not shocked?

Of course there are spirits around here.