#game files

Rinko's bookmark depicts a snake constricting around a triangle shape. It immediately draws to mind how Rinko envisioned her relationship with Hinako and Shu as characters in a "love triangle".

In Japan, snakes have both positive and negative associations. Snake youkai are typically depicted as menacing man-eaters, and a jealous woman is said to have "snake-like eyes". Snakes are also associated with rebirth and transformation, with the shedding of their old skin considered good luck.

Sakuko's bookmark depicts a rabbit surrounded by three suns. In Japan, rabbits are considered a symbol of good luck, cleverness, self-devotion and prosperity.

The sun imagery calls back to her fear of the dark, but also shows her spiritual connection as a shrine maiden, the sun's design being reminiscent of depictions of the the sun goddess Amaterasu. Perhaps the 3 suns also refer to her 3 friends, who were a beacon of light in her life?

Shu's bookmark is really interesting!

From far away it looks like a UFO to represent his affinity with Space Wars. However, the middle shows Shu himself hunched up within, similar to how he's "encased" inside the Tsukumogami during Ending 2. It reflects how Shu "suffocates" himself during the story, keeping his feelings and suffering locked up within.

The six circles surrounding him may reference the "Six Paths" in Buddhism. SHf is deeply connected to Shintoism but also Buddhism, with every NG+ run/ending very reminiscent of samsara. I think by connecting Shu to the "six paths," it reflects his own journey of suffering and rebirth running in parallel to Hinako's (or his own "Silent Hill" as Ryukishi mentioned in an interview).

Update: Shu's bookmark also seems to be a reference to the "Masudaya Space Explorer Ship X-8," originally made in 1955 as part of the surge of Japanese tin toys post-World War II!

More information on this can be found here.

Kotoyuki's bookmark (which is also used for the "Dark Shrine" sections of the journal) has the same origin as the Tsuneki Crest: a Kudzu plant.

Kudzu is known as a highly invasive species. It grows at an incredible rate and can easily overtake any plant population if they are not maintained. As mentioned in certain documents, the Tsuneki family infamously prospered to the detriment of other people.

However, the kudzu plant is also prized for its beneficial traits. It's a prominent ingredient in traditional East Asian medicine, herbal tea, and even used in Japanese confectionaries such as higashi and yokan.

In Japanese flower language, the kudzu flower means "healing," "inner strength," "cheerfulness" and "perseverance."

Interestingly, while it is very similar in appearance, the bookmark does not use the same design as the Tsuneki Family's. It more closely resembles a real Kudzu plant, while the Tsuneki crest is more stylized, refined, and symmetrical.

The Shimizu family is represented by a traditional string-tying method called mizuhiki (水引), it is often seen on gift envelopes during celebrations. The string colors chosen in mizuhiki are particularly important, with white&red or silver&gold strings showing celebration, while white&black is used for mourning.

The knot itself, musubi (結び), represents the invisible bonds between people. In this case, this symbol reflects Hinako's bond with her family. This one seems to be a variation between umemusubi (梅結び) and musubikiri (結び切り).

Umemusubi is typically used to ward off evil spirits, as well as wish for good fortune and good health.

Musubikiri is a knot that is difficult to untie. It is only used for occasions that you hope will happen only once. It is typically seen on gift envelopes for weddings or for sending condolences during funerals.

Hinako's bookmark depicts a small bird carrying a dandelion. Surrounding the bird are sharp-edged leaves, seeking to trap the bird as it flies away.

In Japanese flower language, the dandelion has multiple meanings such as "oracle of love," "sincere love," and "separation".

This imagery represents Hinako's wish to fly freely for herself, not bound by the decisions of others. Perhaps the bird being depicted holding a dandelion represents how even when she flies towards her own future, she holds onto her own feelings as seen from Ending 4.

Ebisugaoka entries are represented by what seems to be a peach blossom.

In Japanese flower language, peach blossoms can mean "I am your captive," "charming," "invincible," and "good natured." They are also said to ward off evil spirits. These flowers are strongly associated with women, and are prominently seen during Hinamatsuri (Girls' Day).

This is like the only time you see the detail ingame and its originally in the credits in greyscale ajskldg

It's hard to see, but Hinako is initially given the "fox" ring, aka Kotoyuki's ring. It's cute to imagine irl she was trying to put the fox ring on herself and got confused when it wasn't fitting.

It's interesting how the kudzu leaves depicted here are missing the "flower" part of the Tsuneki emblem. Kotoyuki himself is typically represented by solely the "flowery" center.