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A speculation post popped up on the internet.

From that post, the threads began to unravel.

“Hey! This looks plausible, check it out right now!”

“Understood.”

“First, let’s find any related materials and see if we can consult a few knowledgeable people.”

“Who should we contact?”

“Folklore, anthropology, cultural anthropology, archaeological anthropology, history… there’s plenty. Just figure it out.”

“Got it!”

For those who were completely at a loss, the post on the internet was like a lighthouse lighting the way, a bright torch illuminating the darkness.

People frantically moved, hoping to uncover any leads they could find.

They roamed around places where relevant materials might be, verifying records, and sought out individuals knowledgeable about Japanese culture and yokai. Moreover, locals contacted the village headman asking if he knew anyone who might be acquainted with certain matters.

And their efforts were rewarded.

『 Knife Peak_Catfish_Investigation_Jukdari Village_Oral Record 1.wmw

(Chirp – Beep. The recording has started.)

Ah, we’re starting the recording now?

Let’s see. You wanted me to tell you about the water yokai, right? Well, back in my day, we called that Iwanabozu. It wasn’t particularly famous, but among the people living deep in the mountains, it was surprisingly well-known.

During the period of Japanese rule, I attended primary school, where I had a certain teacher who always carried a knife. He would use the racial slurs “Joseonjin” (朝鮮人) and “Gaichijin” (外地人) every day. If he was displeased with a student, it was standard practice for him to slap their cheek or even hit them with his sheathed sword.

That guy was a real piece of work, but he had this strange sense of mission. He thought it was his duty to teach uneducated outsiders to become workers for the Greater East Asia co-prosperity sphere!

So during class, if we weren’t focused, he would go on and on, and even now, the thought sends shivers down my spine.

However, there were times when he seemed to be in a good mood. Maybe he had received some praise for teaching the kids well from an important person or something. Every time that happened, he would go on about the superior culture of the mainland, and one of the tales I heard then was about this Iwanabozu.

Some fisherman was fishing late at night when a monk appeared to warn him. He told him that fishing carelessly in such a place was not allowed and that he shouldn’t commit acts of killing by eating fish carelessly. But this man wasn’t just fishing for the joy of killing, so he sought the monk’s understanding and offered him part of his rice ball as a share. The monk left after simply advising him, having eaten the rice ball.

But then, after some time, this guy caught a carp!

So, with joy, the fisherman took it home and split it open.

But what was this? When he opened its belly, the very rice ball he had given to the monk popped right out!

In that moment, the fisherman realized: that monk was actually this carp!

This is the tale of the fish yokai pretending to be a monk, the Iwanabozu.

Is that good enough?』

『 Iwanabozu Fukushimaken Legend.hwp

Long ago, the villagers living in a mountain valley gathered by the river to fish.

However, a passing monk stopped them, stating they must not commit acts of killing. He didn’t just pass by, but instead sat down to give a long sermon.

Unable to withstand it, the villagers took out some rice cakes and offered them to the monk. The monk ate them gratefully and vanished.

The villagers murmured among themselves that it had been a long time since they saw a monk so unabashedly demanding, and then they returned to their fishing.

After a while, they caught a gigantic catfish the size of a person.

With great joy, the villagers carried the catfish back to the village, ready to gut it.

However, when they opened its belly, out came the rice cakes they had offered to the monk earlier.

None of the villagers dared to eat the catfish, and they began to be wary whenever that monk showed up.』

Once the people clearly understood the name Iwanabozu, they were able to easily find relevant materials.

They heard stories from old men who lived during Japanese rule, gathered materials, and easily scraped up information from foreign universities or internet sites.

And the biggest haul came from a cultural anthropology professor teaching at a prestigious university in the metropolitan area.

“Ah, Iwanabozu. It’s a relatively well-known yokai. I know a bit about it, but it would be better to hear from someone who specializes in it. About twenty years ago, I happened to get to know a professor specializing in folklore at Keio University while residing in Tokyo. We still keep in touch, so I’ll reach out. I believe they might share insights about the yokai’s form and characteristics, or the magic or superstitions that arise in the process of worshiping or exorcising it.”

The professor willingly agreed to use his connections for the government.

And the result was… astounding.

“Oh, after talking to Professor Sato, we uncovered a wealth of interesting information. First, there is a magic related to Iwanabozu that exists in Japan. The formal name is Iwanabozu Shadow Summoning Magic (岩魚坊主影形招喚術法). It was a spell held by a certain clan in Fukushima. It had been passed down since the Kamakura period, but gradually lost its influence until it ultimately vanished during the Japanese occupation. I heard the only son of that clan attempted to revive their fading legacy but died prematurely, but… well, considering how harshly the prominent Restoration Patriots discriminated against and repressed Aizu Province, and the significant power they wielded in the military, and the fact that Fukushima was part of Aizu… perhaps that heir was eliminated under the pretense of war. Haha.”

“The people from Aizu had some sway in the police organization, but what could they do in that situation? It wasn’t even their territory, and the military’s power was sky-high. So it’s not unusual in a war for a clan to vanish. Thus, the clan easily perished, and the treasures they held were scattered across various places. Among those were divine objects and documents recording the magic… but it’s presumed that most fell into the hands of power holders or were passed on to Onmyoji. And about the Iwanabozu Shadow Summoning Magic…”

“Well, there aren’t any records left of that either… However, yes, it could have easily gone to a power holder or an Onmyoji. The power holders who were able to tear a clan apart and distribute its treasures would likely belong to families we might consider right-wing or war criminals today. If not, then perhaps it went into the hands of the police organization, but I think it’s more likely it flowed into the Onmyoji’s possession. But of course, that’s just my assumption.”

The professor shared not only insights into the investigation of Iwanabozu but also discussions about those likely to possess it.

Thanks to that, people faintly began to see the outlines.

They could vaguely speculate about who had caused this damned uproar.

This was a significant development.

Wandering through a darkness where nothing was visible.

Walking forward depending on the faint moonlight.

These two scenarios held incredible differences.

And as the investigation continued, these outlines started to become clearer.

“Manager! Isn’t there a mermaid that appeared on Yeongin Mountain?”

“Ah, that mermaid. Why?”

“While looking into Japanese yokai, I found this!”

『 Amabie (アマビエ)

: A yokai from Kumamoto Prefecture.

It appears from underwater, accompanying light and predicts good harvests and plagues.

It has long hair and takes the form of a mermaid with a face resembling a bird and a beak.

It can speak human language and is friendly towards people.

It stated that when plague begins to spread, if people show its image by drawing it, they can avoid the plague. Following that advice, when plague broke out, those who either saw or kept a drawing of Amabie were unharmed.』

“Is this also a Japanese yokai?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Huh, saying it’s another Japanese yokai…? Wait a minute… these guys…? This feels more than just coincidence, doesn’t it?”

 

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