Onryou

Sairyōoh, a powerful onryou.

Onryou (怨霊; literally "resentful" or "vengeful spirit") is a type of malevolent spirit found in Japanese folklore. Onryou differ from ghosts due to their creation, which is caused by an unclean death. Premature deaths due to war, murder or illness are prime onryou candidates. They may or may not remember how they died.

Onryou, vengeful spirits in Japanese horror stories, were feared during the Heian Period for rebellions, diseases, and destruction, and were believed to attach souls to decaying forms.

Role in Games

Onryou serve as the main enemies within the Harukanaru Toki no Naka de series. The games have them behave in a similar manner as actual Japanese folklore, onryou being departed spirits. However, other types of spiritual creatures in folklore may terrorize the land as onryou. A few of which includes tengu, nue and kitsune. Each onryou may choose a specific location to haunt or may be a random encounter on the overworld map.

Earlier titles may have onryou regenerate once they are defeated. In order to completely eradicate them, the player will need the ability to seal (封印, fuuin) them. The sealed onryou then become talismans for the main party to equip, increasing allies' various strengths. When a White Dragon Priestess seals an onryou, she may recite the following chant:

Assemble, Heaven's voice! Resound, Earth's voice! Seal those before me!

When onryou are purified by the priestess's chant, their negative form will disappear. A floating spirit eventually negates its hatred and merges to become one with the Five Elements. The added elements can then nurture the parallel world. If a spirit was at peace at the time of the purification, their soul may either rest in the afterlife or return to the natural cycle of reincarnation. A particularly mighty onryou can resurrect any onryou against their will, regardless of whether or not they were purified. The priestess can then seal the "leader" onryou to grant peace to every spirit.

Onryou, wild beasts with no consciousness, destroy land and eat humans. Kiyomori Taira broke Yasakani no Magatama, a sacred treasure with spiritual power, to prevent their negative effects. They appear in a parallel world when dragon gods fail, haunting Japan and not seen elsewhere.

Kagerou

During the parallel world's Bakumatsu, another spiritual irregularity emerges due to the misalignment of the Five Elements. They are called kagerou (陽炎), and they are the souls of individuals who held onto a strong wish before their death. They haunt the mortal realm with regrets of their previous life, demanding to see their final dream made a reality. Many men who are killed because of their beliefs emerge once more as kagerou.

People with strong spiritual abilities can summon Kagerou as weapons of war by placing a seal on them. The Kagerou will attack anyone who they believe is an obstacle to their dream. Once their purpose is served, the seal can be removed to get rid of them. Unlike onryou, Kagerou look human and may plead their case if defeated. They cannot be resurrected, only a priestess's purification can calm their souls.

See also

• Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 2/Fuda
• Aramitama

Gallery

Kagerou illustrated cut-in

Kagerou battle portrait

Kagerou seal