< Hermits | Back to Title of Contents | Divine Spirit > A Saturation of Gods Yaoyorozu no Kami (The Eight Million Gods) Ususal threat level: Low Frequency of encounters: High Variety: High Places likely to be encountered: Anywhere Times likely to be encountered: Anytime Characteristics These are the gods that are found everywhere and have an especially deep relationship with humans. Here, "eight million" is taken in its sense of "myriads"; a true count would probably be much higher. Since they're formless, you can't touch or converse with them. As for what their true forms are, they were in the form of all things before they were given names. Even when given a name, the gods' effects are faintly perceptible. These gods inhabit many different objects, but don't inhabit anything without a physical form. They run the full gamut from the fearful to the friendly, from the noble to the humble, and so on. It's said that tools that host gods increase in utility according to the level of the inhabiting spirit (*1). 1: It is also true that the god's grade is said to increase through use as well. Rites for the Spirit Inhabiting a Tool When you buy a new tool, you should pray to its spirit, and investigate ways to keep it from breaking (*2). If it breaks at this early stage, it's said to be inhabited by the curse god of early failure. If you tell the shopkeeper about it, they may be able to exorcise the spirit. Try using it every day, cleaning it well and treating it carefully. If you do this, the god's mood will improve. If it breaks and you buy a replacement, the spirit will become angry, and you will become cursed. To avoid this, you must hold a proper memorial and get rid of it. If you neglect to do so, the spirit may become a tsukumogami and begin to move on its own and bring evil to its owner. 2: Don't forget to be respectful towards the god. Tsukumogami The spirit of a tool that's used continuously for a long period of time may take on the thoughts of its owner and gradually attain divinity. If it's cast aside without a proper memorial, the god may not be able to return to normal, but into a tsukumogami, and it may move on its own in an attempt to inflict harm on its former owner. These spirits are more like youkai than gods, and can wreak real havoc against people, lacking a single redeeming feature. Please remember to properly memorialize well-used tools. < Hermits | Back to Title of Contents | Divine Spirit >