< Encyclopedia: Yuurei | Back to Title of Contents | Lunasa Prismriver > Half-Human Half-Yuurei Gardener Youmu Konpaku Ability: The ability to use sword techniques Threat level: Medium Human friendship level: High Main place of activity: Netherworld Since yuurei are formless, most people are unable to distinguish between normal ones. The Konpaku family are not simple yuurei, but are a lineage of half-human, half-yuurei. Her appearance does not differ from that of normal humans. Youmu's thought patterns are similar to a normal human's for the most part, but it's said her body temperature is a bit lower. Her lifespan is far longer than that of normal humans. This is probably because she is half yuurei, which do not have distinct lifespans. A large yuurei accompanies her human form. As this yuurei has human and yuurei attributes, this is one way to easily distinguish her from normal humans. The large yuurei can act on its own. Also, unlike normal yuurei, its body is not particularly cold to the touch. Youmu serves as the gardener for Hakugyokurou(*1) in the Netherworld, and is also a live-in sword instructor, but lately she can frequently be seen in this world(*2). Though, it is likely because lately(*3) the barrier between this world and the next has weakened. Many theories have been put forth to explain the weakening of this barrier, but its true cause is the whim of the youkai of boundaries. 1: This word is read Hakugyokurou, not Shiratamarou. 2: This world, as opposed to the next world. 3: In the era of the 9th child of Miare, Akyuu. Weapons and Abilities She possesses superior swordsmanship, and is a master of the two-handed technique. The two swords she uses are called Hakurouken and Roukanken. The longer sword is Roukanken. It's believed that Roukanken was forged by youkai, and it's too long to be used by normal humans. It's said that it has the power to kill ten spirits in one stroke, but as one cannot actually kill spirits(*4), it's unknown if this is true(*5). The other sword, Hakurouken, is the ancestral sword of the Konpaku family, and it's said to have the power to dispel the confusion of those it cuts. That is, using it on yuurei will send them to nirvana, and using it on humans will cause them discomfort and a bit of pain. The exact details of its function are unclear, but it can only be handled by the Konpaku family. 4: Normally they are sent to nirvana or disappear. 5: Supposedly the things it cannot cut are next to none. Daily Life She lives in the Netherworld in Hakugyokurou. She wakes up early in the morning before the mistress of the estate to patrol the gardens. During the day she tends to the gardens and trains her sword technique, and will go out on errands if called. At night, she patrols once again, and supposedly goes to bed only after confirming that the mistress has done so. If she were to discover an intruder at this time, she would surely cut them down at once whether they were human or youkai. Eyewitness Reports "When I go to visit the Netherworld, she always swings those swords at me. It'd be nice if she'd actually saw who was coming." (Reimu Hakurei) It's questionable why living humans would go to the Netherworld to visit. "She comes shopping here a lot. It's like someone is coming to take you to the next world, and it feels pretty weird." (Anonymous) It would be nice if you'd be more tolerant if she's just coming to shop... "I thought a dangerous, sword-wielding youkai had come, but she looks sort of powerless, and I can't help feeling sorry for her, somehow." (Anonymous) Her appearance is that of a young girl. Countermeasures She is a yuurei, but she's also half human. It's possible to come to mutual understanding with her, so conflict can be avoided through discussion. Like other youkai, she doesn't assault humans without a purpose, such as food or boredom. If you don't challenge, provoke or put her in a blatantly disadvantageous situation, she will likely not attack you. Even if the situation looks threatening, she will not fight anyone lacking in training, so that will at least make her go easy on you. If you've done nothing wrong, you can probably talk your way out of a battle. Even if you've clearly done something wrong, things might work out somehow if you offer a proper apology. Now, what should one do in the unlikely event of being attacked by her? All normal human can hope to do in such a circumstance is offer a prayer to Buddha(*6). 6: Namo amithaba Buddhaya < Encyclopedia: Yuurei | Back to Title of Contents | Lunasa Prismriver >