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私に最後まで付き合ってくれて ありがとう･･････
Thank you, for being with me to the end....
This is a callback to the ring scene with Hinako, where Kotoyuki said something similar: 「よくここまで付いて来てくれた」 ("I'm grateful to you, for accompanying me this far.")
-------
貴方の求愛を
生涯忘れません･･････
そして ありがとう
Your courtship
I won't forget it for my entire life....
So... Thank you.
In Jp, Hinako specifies that she won't forget Kotoyuki's courtship for her entire life. This ties into their discussion during the boss fight, when Hinako says that Kotoyuki's intense courtship inspires her to want that same intensity with her own life.
Hinako saying she "won't forget it" is especially poignant when we keep in mind Hinako has had amnesia for most of the game, which included forgetting Kotoyuki and their relationship. Hinako saying she "won't forget it for her entire life" means she will always remember him and the time they spent together, even when they decided to part ways here.
-------
早くいくといい･･･････
私が宇宙人の役になって
君を食べてしまうことも出来るのだからね
You should hurry...
I could play the role of an alien and eat you, after all.
As I mentioned previously, Kotoyuki's words here sound more casual and friendly after Shu recognizes him as his childhood friend. He also plays along with the Space Wars comment by saying he could "play the role of an alien".
-------
男なら引き際も大事か……
For a man... Knowing when to retreat is also important...
引き際 (hikigiwa) is a word that refers to "knowing the right moment when to quit," typically in the case of leaving a job or stepping down from a position.
So in this case, Kotoyuki's use of hikigiwa could refer to him commenting on Shu leaving, and referring to himself stepping down from his "husband role".
I chose to translate it as "knowing when to retreat" to keep the dual meaning of "quitting/leaving" while also playing into the Space Wars comradery discussion earlier.
So this is one of my favorite kotohina lines from the JP text that got slightly changed in Eng...
In JP, Fox Hinako says "we're together" when they are completing the final rites. She refers to her and Kotoyuki as a unit. This is not just her following behind him, they walked this path together side by side.
The English dub’s choice to use “I” and “you” instead of “we” takes that aspect away. The implications are more ambiguous, read as either positive (“I made it here thanks to your support”) or negative (“it’s your fault I’m here”) when the JP line doesn't have that ambiguity.
It completely removes how Hinako perceives herself with Kotoyuki, changing it to Hinako now attributing everything solely to Kotoyuki's efforts/decisions rather than it being a joint effort between them.
Fox Hinako uses 「一緒に」 later on during Ebisugaoka in Silence when she wants Kotoyuki to be with her when they're escaping the wedding... So it's also a callback to this particular line.
ohh I found another callback to this ring scene in Fox Wets Its Tail....
よくここまで付いて来てくれた
I'm grateful to you, for accompanying me this far.
私に最後まで付き合ってくれて
ありがとう……
Thank you, for being with me to the end.
Kotoyuki uses similar sentence structures for these two scenes, both showing his appreciation for Hinako.
During the ring scene Kotoyuki says ここまで (kokomade, "to this point") while in FWIT he says 最後まで (saigomade, "to the end")
The verb ～てくれる refers to someone doing a favor for the speaker. So in the first screen, Kotoyuki appreciates Hinako for accompanying him so far, which Hinako then corrects him by saying "It's because we were together that we could make it this far". In the Shichibi scene, instead of using 付いて来て (tsuitekite, "accompanying/following") Kotoyuki says 付き合って (tsukiatte, "to keep company", also can mean "to go out with" romantically, but it's not exclusively used that way).
How I interpreted it is Kotoyuki is thanking Hinako not just for their time together as a couple, but for the support she's given him in the years prior. For helping him on the playground, for being his friend, for the letters they exchanged, for motivating him to overcome the hardships he faced in the Tsuneki household. He's thanking her for being with him to the end.
Hinako in response says this:
貴方の求愛を 生涯忘れません･･････
そして ありがとう
I will never forget your courtship for all of my life....
So... Thank you.
Hinako tells Kotoyuki she will never forget his courtship for all of her life. She says this knowing the meaning and weight it carries. This is not just a moment that will disappear for her. She will carry these experiences and the time they had together with her for the rest of her life.
Hinako saying she will "never forget it" is especially poignant when we remember she spent a large part of the game having amnesia. Part of that included forgetting Kotoyuki and the relationship they have.
So FWIT is especially heartwarming... Because even though Hinako rejects him in the end, Kotoyuki and Hinako don't regret their time together. He instead thanks her for being with him all this time, and she in return thanks him for inspiring, encouraging, and courting her.
So I found a big translation difference during Fox Wets Its Tail that I felt was a shame was lost in Eng, during the conversation between Shu and Kotoyuki.
早くいくといい･･･････
私が宇宙人の役になって
君を食べてしまうことも出来るのだからね
You should leave soon...
I could always play the role of an alien and eat you, you know.
In JP, Kotoyuki also recognizes Shu as his childhood friend.
His tone here becomes much more casual and familiar compared to earlier. For example, prior to this Kotoyuki says 「 行きなさい」 (ikinasai, "Go now") which is a polite, authoriative way to request someone to leave. But here, he instead says 「早くいくといい」 (hayaku iku to ii, "you should leave soon") which is more casual and closer to friendly advice.
He even does lighthearted banter here, saying that he could "play the role of an alien". This shows how Kotoyuki recalls their time playing Space Wars and fighting aliens together.
This banter is completely gone in the Eng text.
Eng Kotoyuki instead says he's "still a monster who won't hesitate to consume you". Eng Kotoyuki sounds more like he's reaffirming his role as a domineering nobleman, when that's not what he does in JP.
In JP he speaks to Shu like a friend and even plays along when he mentions Space Wars. Here, he's not the Tsuneki heir. He's their Space Wars comrade Fujitori Kotoyuki.
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Having a lot of fun analysing "A Boy's Diary" with Childhood KotoHina in mind and looking at the JP text.
As he wished, Kotoyuki did become a millionaire (by becoming heir), but unfortunately he wasn't able to become a treasure hunter... He also talks about how a treasure hunter sometimes takes down "big scary beasts and bad guys" (just like how Hinako does with Kyubi and Tsukumogami).
If we believe Kotoyuki is the author of "A Boy's Diary," it adds a lot of cute aspects to the Dark Shrine segment in a way. In the first section, Kotoyuki prepared a mystic jade key for Hinako, with the lock puzzle solution hidden behind the various ema. While Kotoyuki didn't become a treasure hunter like he wished, he still has some of the spirit of one.
It's also possible to explore most of the area freely, until you encounter the doll (which summons the faceless monster). If we recall, while the doll is holding the puzzle solution here, it is also against the marriage. I have a theory the doll intentionally took the puzzle solution away from the locked door originally to prevent Hinako from obtaining the key (+ a way to lure Hinako away from Kotoyuki)
Anyway, to go back to the diary itself.
There's some notable difference between the next pages in Eng vs. Jp:
I was doing combat training with the girl next door when my mom scolded me.
What if her face gets injured and she can’t get married!
But you know what!
I think that girl has the talents of a treasure hunter though.
During treasure hunt training, she always finds it right away.
In the future, the two of us can become treasure hunters, traveling the world together!
According to the JP text, Kotoyuki and Hinako specifically did "combat training" together (as preparation for treasure hunt work?). But his mom scolded him saying "what if she can't get married!" However, Kotoyuki doesn't see Hinako not getting married as tragic. Instead, he points out that Hinako can just become a treasure hunter too. After all, she has the talent for it!
To me, this page highlights that young Kotoyuki doesn't reduce young Hinako to any specific gender role while still acknowleging her as a girl (being ok with "fighting/playing with a girl"). He didn't understand why girls should worry over marriage. Why can't they both just become treasure hunters? It's a subtle commentary on how gender roles are not inherent, but taught.
The last sentence feels especially sweet as a possible hint to a future between Hinako and Kotoyuki.. Perhaps someday he and Hinako will travel the world as treasure hunters, seeking out new experiences together.
Hinako always said that she wanted to find solutions for herself and found more pleasure in doing so than being handed the answer
Whereas Kotoyuki wants to be a treasure hunter because he likes the adventure but the result of the adventure (money) is what alienates him
Also the Sachie line being eerily similar to what Kimie said about Kanta throwing a knife at Hinako
Speaking of the puzzle, I remember someone pointing out during the ring scene that instead of taking the lead right away, Kotoyuki lets Hinako do it first and he only shows her how it's done when she looks at him back, I wonder if it's not because part of him still remembers the pleasure of seeking more than being handing things out
Given how the game ties Hinako's liking the process of finding out for herself > the solution with ability to choose > happiness, it can certainly apply to Kotoyuki, agency is also about finding things for yourself at your own pace so that you know the answer is truly yours
man I really love the significance of Kotoyuki's name and how it shows his lack of personhood. Like his name is so tied to his family that no one recognizes him as an individual...
Like "Kotoyuki" (寿幸) has a very beautiful meaning, "lifelong happiness". But the truth is it was chosen simply as the result of taking one kanji from each of his parents. It was solely to let others know "This is the son of Hidetoshi and Sachie".
And then his last name is Tsuneki, an anagram of "kitsune" (fox). The kanji (常喜) can mean "unchanging joy," reflecting their rigid way of life. The Tsuneki clan is Infamously known as this rich, powerful, traditional family. As a result, pretty much everyone only refers to Kotoyuki as "the rich young man" and nothing else. His family, and the wealth attributed to them, is all people see.
It's part of what gets Hinako unfairly judged for "marrying wealthy". No one ever considered Hinako and Kotoyuki have known eachother for years, and that she actually doesn't care about his wealth at all (if anything it's more of a deterrent).
Not to mention Kotoyuki wasn't originally a Tsuneki, he was born as Fujitori Kotoyuki. The name Fujitori (藤鳥) contains the kanjis for "wisteria" and "bird".
Wisteria in JP flower language has multiple meanings, such as "drunk on your love", "kindness", "we welcome you," and "never parting".
"Bird" reflects how Kotoyuki, like Hinako, desired freedom and the ability to "spread his wings"
The name "Fujitori" having this duality shows how he too was made to decide between two paths. "Fuji" represents Kotoyuki's first love, while "Tori" represents the freedom he yearned for:
By becoming a "Tsuneki," his "choices" and his "personhood" were taken away from him entirely. He is meant to serve only as a useful tool for his family. But even when he's acknowledged as the heir, his family do not consider him one of them:
They refer to him as a "fledgling". In JP, he's called a 「ひよっこ」 ("baby chick"), which is another way to read the first kanji in Hinako's name (雛). They still see him as the "naive weak bird" he was when he first showed up at their house, incapable of flying on his own without them.
Anyway, all this to say that I love how Kotoyuki's name has so many layers. From an initial impression it's filled with positive meanings but when seen with the context of the game, it reflects how he was treated as a tool of his family since birth, and was never allowed his own identity.
Someone pointed out to me that the fox statues get destroyed in the default ending for Silent Hill f. I get that it means Hinako's on a rampage and that her mind's falling apart, but I've also seen it interpreted as Hinako killing off Kotoyuki's family and beyond.
Given both worlds are kinda falling apart in the ending, kind of wondering if it means either the Water Dragon got unsealed and we're seeing the damage being done while teleporting, or Hinako's the one destroying the whole town like a monster gone loose.
ooo it could be a mix of both!
I always saw Ending 1 as having the most straightforward storyline, where it's Bride Hinako having a mental breakdown and fleeing the wedding out of desperation. She then killed off anyone who stood in her way, whether they were Tsuneki or her own friends and family.
But like you mentioned, the Water Dragon has been a threat lurking underneath Ebisugaoka the whole story.
The "Diary of Revenge" explains the history of Ebisugaoka's different religions best.
From what it says, the Water Dragon is THE most evil, malevolent force in the story and the original faith of Ebisugaoka, predating even the Divine Tree faith.
What's important to note is how the Water Dragon faith worked. The townsfolk did not worship the dragon out of reverance, but out of fear. There's nothing showing the dragon ever being benevolent to the townsfolk. It's always been linked to havoc and destruction, with its poison spreading only suffering. The townsfolk hoped by worshipping it, they could quell its anger and stop it from harming them but it doesn't seem to have ever worked.
This led to later factions using different means to contain the dragon, while gaining their own authority and utlilizing the human's power of belief to sustain them. Every faith in Ebisugaoka has its start by upsurping the previous one in some way.
The Divine Tree/Tsukumogami's method was the sacred sword, buried under the cedar tree. The sword originally belonged to the deceased leader of the Taira clan, the losing faction of the Genpei War. It was filled with the animosity of fallen warrior souls, making it extremely powerful, but also cursed and fueled by vengeful unrest.
The Divine Tree faith encouraged the townsfolk to worship the tree as a way to protect them from the dragon, but neglects to inform them that the source of its power is the animosity of equally wrathful spirits. Sakuko herself mentions the sword is cursed and steeped in evil energy in her diary, and can only be purified by specific means.
Since Hinako never obtains the sacred sword in the first run, Tsukumogami never gains control of the Water Dragon's wrath.
The Inari's method was both having "a sacrificial maiden every 8 years" and a sealing rock they named "Heaven's Benediction". The Inari faith essentially took on older traditions like the Divine Tree/Tsukumogami beliefs and recontextualized it as all originally being the deeds of the Inari. They thrived on altering history and taking others' achievement as solely belonging to them, and purging anyone who spoke otherwise.
The "sacrificial maiden every 8 years" most likely originates from the original myth of Yamata-no-Orochi, where the keywords of "maiden" and "eight" are repeated. The sealing stone possibly originates from the Tsukumogami faith using a physical object like the Divine Tree to act as a "seal of protection".
Since Hinako (presumably) kills the next head Kotoyuki and flees the wedding, "Heaven's Benediction" falls apart and the dragon is unleashed.
Tl;dr: In the first ending, both methods the Inari and Tsukumogami utilized to control or suppress the Water Dragon failed bc Hinako never interacts with them.
Considering Ending 1 is the path where Hinako "drowns in a bottomless pit of self-doubt", perhaps Hinako herself got possessed by the Water Dragon due to the red capsules/Kakura-makakura leaving her vulnerable to malevolent spirits.
Her last name "Shimizu" (深水) literally meaning "Deep Water" could also be a hint towards her connection to the dragon, but there's been no further evidence for this. (Maybe the manga will talk more about it?) The Water Dragon could also be a metaphorical representation of her fear and trauma taking hold of her. 🤔
So I think it's a huge possibility it was both Hinako and the Water Dragon who destroy everything in Ending 1. Hinako killed both her past and her future, falling into the depths of escapism. Both god factions lost control and the Water Dragon's wrath ensured everyone suffered once more. Ending 1 is where everyone loses, no one wins...
Regarding ending 1, the name in japanese is a bit different. While I don't have the exact name right now, I remember that it read more as "The curse comes back home" or something like this. The description for the ending also stated thta Hinako was drowning in a "swamp" of doubt and it immediately reminded me of two things
The way Hinako describes her feelings for Kotoyuki (as being dragged into a swamp) and the exact words in Kanta's apology (be free from this curse).
If the Shimizu are tied to the Water dragon, then it could be interesting to see the family as being also "cursed" due to this connection
Seen this way, then the "curse" in question could parallel the Tsuneki curse where a love spell is cast on the heir to seek a bride
Since the Water dragon is mainly revered out of fear + associated to the past, it can also be easy to see the tie with Hinako's own anxieties
Nice insight!! It's interesting to consider the Shimizu family as already having a "curse" upon them and it's up to them, particularly Hinako's parents, to resolve it (like generational trauma).
I looked back on some things and here's the only other mentions of the Shimizu family I could find..
According to the Tsuneki records, it seems the Shimizu have some significance with water. The "crimson spring" possibly connects to the "crimson water" puzzle Hinako solves later that will both break the seal rock containing the dragon and give her the ability to purify the sacred sword.
Perhaps this is another reason why Hinako attracted the attention of both the Inari and Tsukumogami, she would be able to change the foundation of their beliefs.
Since the Water dragon is mainly revered out of fear + associated to the past, it can also be easy to see the tie with Hinako's own anxieties
I've been thinking a bit and I have a tiny theory on what the water dragon+methods represent for Hinako metaphorically:
If the Water Dragon represents Hinako's fear, then the methods used to "contain the dragon" reflect the ways Hinako copes with fear, referencing her parents' behaviors.
The sacred sword, what Hinako uses as a weapon, is powered by the wrath of vengeful spirits. In a similar way, Hinako uses anger to protect herself like a form of self-preservation. (something Kanta does too by using anger to "not show weakness").
The sealing rock is used to suppress the dragon. This represents how Hinako represses her emotions so she doesn't have to confront her fears, like waiting for it to disappear on its own. (similar to Kimie, who avoids direct confrontation, instead waiting for the problem to blow over)
I think this is also why in order for Hinako to reach Ending 4, she has to purify the sword (let go of her anger) and unseal the rock (stop repressing her emotions). Once she's able to truly confront her fears and overcome them does she achieve peace and understanding in her own way. 🤔
I recently discovered this interesting story called "The Foxes' Wedding," originally documented in the collection Tales of Old Japan (1871) by A.B. Mitford. It's a folktale that is so reminiscent of Kotoyuki, I would not be surprised if Ryukishi used this as inspiration.
It's very short, so I highly suggest reading it!
To summarize, It's a lighthearted story. The fox groom protagonist is depicted as being dedicated, earnest, and loyal, who successfully marries his fox bride without any issues. In the end they live happily ever after surrounded by their many children.
Keeping Silent Hill f in mind, the first thing I noticed is we never see the fox bride's perspective. We don't know what she thought of her future groom, or if she originally wanted to get married. The only thing mentioned is there was "not a fault to be found on either side". Although the story is about a union between two foxes, this story only focuses on the fox groom's achievements. The fox bride is little more than the reward the fox groom obtained for working hard. Her presence in the story even disappears entirely after the birth of their children.
While it's not confirmed this story was inspiration for SHf, I think it's a interesting way to show how a story can be perceived differently by simply changing who the protagonist is. A happy ending for one person can be horrific for another. For the fox groom and Kotoyuki, this marriage is a cheery happy ending he's been waiting years for. Perhaps for the fox bride and Hinako, this was a role she was made to play without anyone asking her what she thought of it.
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So I've seen some confusion online about this statement and what it means, when Hinako says basically the same thing in both Eng and JP: She wants to live passionately, to the extent that she could even propose to Kotoyuki.
It's her resolve to live proactively, while also acknowledging her love for him.
To set it up, here's what the Two Hinakos talk about prior to this statement in JP:
Just like Kotoyuki-san
who fell deeply in love with someone
for the sake of that person
he put in tremendous effort
as if pouring all of his passion into it
I want to try living a life of dedicated, wholehearted effort (like him)
The message is pretty identical to the Eng translation. Hinako admires Kotoyuki's passionate efforts for the sake of the person he loved, so much so that she wants to have that same mentality with her own life.
Now let's look at the next part, the proposal statement.
今度は私から寿幸さんに求婚するくらいの勢いで
一生懸命に
This time, I'll live life to the fullest -- with determination to the extent that I could propose to Kotoyuki-san.
This is again very similar to the Eng dub ("To live with such passion, that she might propose to Kotoyuki.") The main difference is that JP Hinako does not specifically say "when I'm ready," which is more of an implied statement (what matters firstmost is her desire for a "life of passion").
The key grammar here is the use of the particle くらい (kurai). A more thorough explanation can be found here, but basically くらい emphasizes the feeling/emotion of the phrase that comes after it, using the phrase stated before ("[B], to the extent of [A]").
In this case, the feeling being emphasized is 勢い (ikioi, lit. "force, intensity"). Hinako's feeling of "determination" is so strong, that she could propose to Kotoyuki, just like how Kotoyuki proposed to her. It's her acknowledgement of how Kotoyuki's own efforts led to him having the determination to propose. So this statement is Hinako sharing his sentiment.
If they wanted Hinako's feelings for Kotoyuki to be ambiguous, she could've instead said 「私から大切な人に求婚する」 ("I could propose to someone special"). Doing so would've mirrored the earlier observation where Kotoyuki "grew to love [someone] deeply".
But she specifically says "I could propose to [Kotoyuki-san]". There are multiple ways she could've phrased this statement but she chose 「私から寿幸さんに」 ("from me, to Kotoyuki"). The person she grew to love is Kotoyuki.
His passion inspired her, including the way he endured for years for the sole purpose of marrying her:
寿幸さんはずっと
私をお嫁さんにしたい一心で･･････
ずっとずっと努力してきたって･･････
孤独にずっと･･････ ずっと･･････
嗤うな!
一生懸命に悩んで
生きてきた寿幸さんを嗤うな!
All this time Kotoyuki-san,
with the sole, wholehearted desire of making me his bride,
has been working so hard, for so long....
All alone... all this time...
Don't laugh!
Don't laugh at Kotoyuki-san, who lived his life so earnestly while struggling so deeply!
How much hardship must this person have endured up to this day, solely for the sake of proposing to me.
Forced to turn away from many things every child should enjoy.
She never once diminishes the efforts he has made, even if ultimately she never needed him to obtain everything for her. His feelings and efforts touched her heart more than any wealth or power his position as the Tsuneki heir could give.
There's also a reoccuring phrase that has shown up in the past few scenes: 一生懸命 (isshoukenmei, "trying with all one's might"). Ryukishi's writing style involves repeating information over and over to emphasize its importance to the story or to the character's. The emphasis here on "Kotoyuki trying with all his might" reflects how Hinako deeply admires his perseverance, even in the midst of struggle:
Also important to note... She's wearing the brooch again. Let's look at her words when she originally offered the brooch up to the Jizo statue (an important condition to reaching this ending):
こんな素敵な贈り物をありがとうございます
折角頂いたものですが･････
私がこれを受け取るのに相応しいかどうか･･････
考える時間が欲しいのです････
Thank you for this wonderful gift
It was kindly given to me, but...
Whether I am worthy of receiving this...
I need time to think it over...
Compared to Kotoyuki, who worked hard to become someone "worthy of her" and achieve his goal, what has Hinako accomplished? What efforts has she made in her own life to achieve her goals? While she appreciates Kotoyuki's efforts and the sacrifices he made for her, it's also a burden that's too heavy for the current her to bear. She gave it back because of that power imbalance, and because rushing into it with halfhearted feelings based on "gratefulness" wasn't fair to both herself and Kotoyuki.
By choosing to wear the brooch again and stating she will have the "determination to propose to him", Hinako is approaching her relationship with Kotoyuki as true equals. It removes the imbalance and conditionals their previous engagement forced on her like the "Tsuneki branding" or the "mask" that takes away her personhood. She only keeps the brooch (which was a token of Kotoyuki's affection) and the fox arm (which was the only ritual she carried out herself, and is a visual metaphor of her adulthood).
If the creators wanted her feelings towards him to be more vague, they didn't need to include the brooch at all, simply her saying she "might propose" would be ambiguous enough. But here, she is wearing the brooch to signify her desire for a relationship on equal terms.
Not to mention Hinako already made her feelings towards him clear when she last saw him:
In JP, Fox Hinako says 「寿幸さん ････一緒に････」 meaning she wanted to go together with him (either to face the Kyubi, or perhaps even to run away together), but he stops her before she can elaborate, because he has to figure out his own feelings first.
もし私たちへの愛が……
本物だったなら
また会いましょう
私達も しっかり悩んで
答えを用意しておきます
If your love for us….
was real,
let’s meet again.
We will also properly think it through
and have an answer ready.
Immediately after Kotoyuki explains that he wants to know if his feelings are genuine or not, Fog Hinako reaffirms her desire to see him again.
What's important to note here is the only condition Hinako has for him is if "his feelings are real." What he can "offer her" doesn't matter. The gods don't matter. Their family and friends' opinions don't matter. What they can gain from marriage doesn't matter. The only thing that's important is their own feelings. No more and no less.
Also, if she truly did not hold any affection for Kotoyuki, she would not be asking him to "wait for her" in her diary despite initially saying "she might not become what he wants her to be." He is someone she wants in her future, even if the form may not be the "ideal result" as others expect it to be. After all, Hinako does not want to be a housewife nor does she want to be endlessly provided for.
There is no guarantee that result will be what you desire.
Even so, will you wait for me? Kotoyuki-san.
When I first read this section in English I thought it was switching between "Fog Hinako" and "Fox Hinako," but it's actually not the case. Both the last two lines are written in teineigo, which is what Hinako uses when speaking with Kotoyuki (Fox Hinako speaks this way and this is also how Hinako and Kotoyuki write in their letters.) This shows that she has the resolve to stand on her own, while also hoping Kotoyuki will wait for her to catch up to him. She wants an equal relationship between two people who love and support eachother.
Anyway, all this to say that what Hinako means here is that she wants to live a passionate life just as Kotoyuki did, one where he is so determined to make the one he loved happy that he worked hard to achieve his goals despite the struggles and agony it brought. She is inspired by him, wants the same things as him, and wants to have the determination to someday propose to him just as he did to her, as true equals.
A closer look at all the bookmarks from Hinako's journal! (in order of how they are listed in the 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).
Peach blossoms are in bloom around April, which is also the same time the game takes place (April 7th is Hinako's wedding date, as noted in the document "Hinako's Diary").
Update: I've recently learned Shu’s bookmark 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!
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So I wanted to talk about an interesting line from Kotoyuki that was changed in the Eng dub. If you are active in JP circles you might have seen it before:
怪我はないか?
Are you hurt?
怪我をするようなことは私がする
I will be the one to handle anything dangerous
君は体を大事にしなさい
You should take care of yourself
It's one of the first things Kotoyuki says, and is one of his most iconic lines. Specifically, it's his pledge that he will protect Hinako, even to the point of getting hurt in her place. This line adds additional detail to the scene with the Sakuko-like entity, where he uses his body to shield Hinako.
This line has become a bit of a joke in the JP fandom. Both because it's a surprisingly otome-esque line in a horror game, and also because he tends to mysteriously disappear and leave Hinako fighting alone. Players often vent their frustration like "Hey, didn't he say he would handle it!?💢"
It's even put on Fox Mask merch:
In English, this line was changed to "You must not be so reckless." While he still urges Hinako to take care of herself, he also admonishes her behavior, which isn't the case in Jpn. Maybe the Eng ver. can be interpreted as him being so concerned for her that he doesn't want her to overexert herself, so he lightly scolds her...(?)
The original line hints at his core character flaws: He willingly gives up his own life for his loved ones' happiness, and will work himself ragged to ensure Hinako never has to lift a finger (in other words, treating her like a fragile doll). Hinako later confronts these issues directly. In Ending 3, she tells Kotoyuki that she wants to make herself happy even if she also must experience hardships. And in Ending 4, she inspires Kotoyuki to start enjoying life for himself, not just for someone else's sake.
A closer look at all the bookmarks from Hinako's journal! (in order of how they are listed in the 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).
Peach blossoms are in bloom around April, which is also the same time the game takes place (April 7th is Hinako's wedding date, as noted in the document "Hinako's Diary").
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