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Ayakashi (
Description[]
There are many different ayakashi of all shapes and sizes. They generally feed off the darkness in people and corrupt the 'good' in one's heart. They have a certain fondness for the smell of gods and shinki.
It is unknown how the ayakashi are able to exist on the Near Shore alongside humans, but they can be expelled and killed by shinki (either wielded by gods, or using borderlines). They generally cannot be seen by humans under normal circumstances, but animals, small children,[2] and people who are especially perceptive to beings of the Far Shore can see them.[3]
Appearance[]
Each ayakashi has a unique appearance. They can range from being small enough to fit in the palm on one's hand[4] or large enough to tower over buildings.[5] In the anime adaptation, they are usually depicted with a mixture of fluorescent colors.
Some of the ayakashi resemble real animals or objects based on animals. Some notable examples are:
- Snake
- Toad
- Crab
- Yeti
- Moth
- Scorpion
- Wolf
- Crow
- Octopus
- Spider
- Chicken
- Fish
- Bat
- Ticks/bugs
Other ayakashi resemble inanimate objects. Some notable examples are:
- Shadow
- Bunny Plushie
- Coin Purse
Naming Ayakashi[]
Masked Ayakashi are created primarily by using the Word. Visually, they are no different from regular ayakashi, except for the presence of either a physical mask or a two-dimensional pattern of the mask. In terms of abilities, masked ayakashi are capable of both understanding and using human speech, and are shown to mindlessly obey the orders or their creators.[6]
Ayakashi can also be named without use of the Word, instead using only a mask and the following incantation. However, this normally results in extensive blight (typically followed by death) of the god[7] and is considered taboo. Thus far, Ebisu is the only god shown to use this method.[8]
我 が「恵 比 寿 」 /諱 を握 りて、に 留 めん /仮 名 を以 て、我 が僕 とす /集 い来 たりしつらづらなる名 々 /我 が命 に逆 らうことおたわず / ひと面 のもと伏 せ従 えん /下 れ「菱 鬼 」！
(Original Japanese text)
Wa ga [Ebisu] / Imina o nigirite, men ni todomen / Karina o motte, wa ga shimobe tosu / Tsudoi kitarishi tsuradzura-naru nana / Wa ga mei ni sakarau koto ota wazu / Hito omote no moto fuse shitagaen / Kudare, [Ryōki]!
(Romaji transliteration)
My name is [Ebisu]. / Grasping thy true name, I bind thee to the mask. / With borrowed name, I dub thee my servant. / The tedious veneer of names that have gathered cannot defy my call. / Bow down to the one visage. / Yield, [Ryouki]!
(Official English translation)
Trivia[]
- Hiyori is a half-ayakashi. This is because she was almost run over by an oncoming bus while trying to save Yato.[9] This seems to be an extremely rare phenomenon, as neither Yato nor Tenjin are sure how it can be reversed.[citation needed]
- Yukine has nearly turned into an ayakashi a total of three times, but was saved twice through an ablution ceremony[2][10] and saved once using the Word.[11]
- The Stray is noted to have a second, ayakashi-like form that she is able to assume without stinging her master.[12]
References[]
- ↑ Episode 2: Snow-like
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chapter 12: To Cut, or Not To Cut (Vol 4)
- ↑ Chapter 54: That Which is Seen, That Which Approaches (Vol 14)
- ↑ Chapter 5: Borderline (Vol 2)
- ↑ Chapter 3: Like Snow (Vol 1)
- ↑ Chapter 32: She Who Invites (Vol 9)
- ↑ Chapter 27: Do and Due (Vol 7)
- ↑ Chapter 29: The Affairs of Three Realms (Vol 8)
- ↑ Chapter 1: The Man in the Sweatsuit (Vol 1)
- ↑ Chapter 75: And Then He... (Vol 19)
- ↑ Chapter 84: Stray (Vol 22)
- ↑ Chapter 85: Missing You (Vol 22)