Fish Shaped Hole

A brief explanation of the context behind the term "demon" in Megami Tensei and what they represent thematically. I'm trying for a new style of video that's concise and accessible, but still has a lot of depth.

Abstract: the poorly documented deity Hakurei Myōjin (博麗明神) has received little attention from scholars of Japanese religions. The accepted attestations are limited to a handful of setsuwa and a poorly preserved Muromachi period illustrated scroll conventionally referred to as Hakurei Engi Emaki (博麗縁起). These works are often presumed to be satirical, as they portray the deity as an exterminator of supernatural threats whose shrine is nonetheless visited mostly by oni and other similar beings. In absence of other evidence, the name was presumed to designate a purely literary creation, comparable to Henge Daimyōjin (変化大明神) from the more famous Tsukumogami Ki (付喪神記). However, recent inquiries into archives of a number of Buddhist temples indicate that a new approach to the study of Hakurei Myōjin is necessary. While much still remains unclear, it is now evident that not only Hakurei Myōjin was an object of active worship through the middle ages and possibly beyond, the theological ideas propagated by ritual specialists attached to his shrine, the location of which is still not entirely certain, were at various points in time supported or contested by more powerful religious institutions.

In this article, Ifocus on a recently discovered set of texts documenting a lawsuit against the Hakurei shrine. While precise dating is not yet possible, it can be argue that a terminus post quem can be established based on references to the theological concept of reverse honji suijaku, which flourished in the late middle ages. Additionally, the lawsuit offers a close parallel to the conflict between Ise and Mt. Asama revolving around the identification of the local protective deity, Uhō Dōji (雨宝童子), with figures associated with a variety of well established temples and shrines, especially Ise’s Amaterasu. While it is presently not possible to evaluate the validity of accusations apparently leveled at a particularly industrious anonymous Hakurei shrine maiden, it is possible that similar strategies as at Mt. Asama were indeed employed in a bid to make the shrine attractive to pilgrims and to increase the prestige of the deity. I also propose a number of possible explanations behind the identification of Hakurei Myōjin with the deities of Ise, Mt. Miwa and in particular Mt. Hiei.

[I’m cleaning out some old drafts–this post began life just weeks after SMT5 released in November 2021: it’s still kinda rough and I’m not going to put any major work into finishing it, sorry to say, but there are some interesting bits here, particularly about Khonsu Ra, that should have been shared far sooner than now. But, uh, you know, 2022 tried to kill me and all.].

Here’s a LONG OVERDUE (to the point of feeling irrelevant) edit of a post I made on Resetera detailing how SMT5 (or do I not need the “5″?) is so confused over basic details of gods and demons via the late game quests featuring Amon, Khonsu, and other familiar faces. It’s PACKED with SCREENSHOTS and OPINIONS! Importantly, it features a Khonsu-Ra redemption story. (Yes, Khonsu-Ra actually exists!)

Honestly, it’s mostly a way for me to come to terms with how Amon is depicted. Really fond of that guy normally and this time it’s not just the design that hurts. Plus some other ideas about mythological archetypes the game throws around that could have actually been an interesting avenue to explore! (I now have no idea what I meant by that.)

‘Zero City’ by Kazuma Kaneko and Megumi Shiraishi, 2001. Scanned at 800 DPI, 5928x8113.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kJiHHbLIkKuUhZGpi8au_0A-kDFxcnpO?usp=share_link

This piece was drawn in promotion for the PlayStation release of Shin Megami Tensei. It was most notably used on a B2 sized pre-release poster. The name ‘Zero City’ evidently comes from ‘ground zero’ and, well, Tokyo city. There’s also an interesting mix of brushes here; whereas the characters are drawn with thin brushes, much like Persona 2′s, the demons and environment are drawn with thicker brushes more akin to Nocturne’s. 

‘New Order’ by Kazuma Kaneko and Megumi Shiraishi, 2001. Scanned at 800 DPI, 5707x8108.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kJiHHbLIkKuUhZGpi8au_0A-kDFxcnpO?usp=share_link

This piece was drawn in promotion for the PlayStation release of Shin Megami Tensei if… It was most notably used on a B2 sized pre-release poster, much like SMT I and II’s.