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The Netherworld first appeared as the centre of the main events of ''[[Perfect Cherry Blossom]]'', being the location of stage 5 and the Final Stage. The spring was taken from [[Gensokyo]] and placed in the Netherworld in order to fully bloom [[Saigyou Ayakashi]], a [[youkai]] cherry blossom tree that, unknown to [[Yuyuko Saigyouji]], holds her dead body inside. After the heroines went across the [[Barrier of Life & Death]] on Stage 4, they'll go up [[Hakugyokurou]]'s Stairs fighting ghostly [[Fairy|fairies]], but then encounter [[Youmu Konpaku]]. She warned the heroines that coming to the Netherworld is forbidden amongst the living, but was eventually defeated. After going deeper into the Netherworld on Stage 6 to [[Hakugyokurou]]'s garden, they'll encounter Yuyuko, the Final boss of the game.
The Netherworld first appeared as the centre of the main events of ''[[Perfect Cherry Blossom]]'', being the location of stage 5 and the Final Stage. The spring was taken from [[Gensokyo]] and placed in the Netherworld in order to fully bloom [[Saigyou Ayakashi]], a [[youkai]] cherry blossom tree that, unknown to [[Yuyuko Saigyouji]], holds her dead body inside. After the heroines went across the [[Barrier of Life & Death]] on Stage 4, they'll go up [[Hakugyokurou]]'s Stairs fighting ghostly [[Fairy|fairies]], but then encounter [[Youmu Konpaku]]. She warned the heroines that coming to the Netherworld is forbidden amongst the living, but was eventually defeated. After going deeper into the Netherworld on Stage 6 to [[Hakugyokurou]]'s garden, they'll encounter Yuyuko, the Final boss of the game.


Ten days later,<ref>[[Perfect Cherry Blossom]]: [[Perfect Cherry Blossom/Story/Marisa's Extra|Marisa's Extra Scenario]]</ref> the Netherworld re-appears in the Extra and Phantasm stages. Here, the heroines try to find the one who's not repairing the barrier between the Netherworld and Gensokyo. They fight against bizarre ghostly [[Fairy|fairies]] and [[Windmill]]s (or are they [[kedama]]?) and bump into [[Chen]]. Some time later, they encounter [[Ran Yakumo]], only to discover that her mistress is asleep and Ran is guarding her. After what was consider a unnecessary, long battle, Ran was defeated, and the heroines have to come back at nights. Once night-time passes, they return on the Phantasm stage. This stage is similar to the Extra, but it's harder. After fighting more bizarre ghostly [[Fairy|fairies]], Ran will re-appear as a midboss, only to be defeated again. After some more time, [[Yukari Yakumo]] will appear, with the heroine demanding they she fixed the barrier. Even after she was defeated, she still didn't fix the barrier.
Ten days later,<ref>[[Perfect Cherry Blossom]]: [[Perfect Cherry Blossom/Story/Marisa's Extra|Marisa's Extra Scenario]]</ref> the Netherworld re-appears in the Extra and Phantasm stages. Here, the heroines try to find the one who's not repairing the barrier between the Netherworld and Gensokyo. They fight against bizarre ghostly [[Fairy|fairies]] and [[Windmill]]s (or are they [[kedama]]?) and bump into [[Chen]]. Some time later, they encounter [[Ran Yakumo]], only to discover that her mistress is asleep and Ran is guarding her. After what was consider an unnecessary, long battle, Ran was defeated, and the heroines have to come back at night. Once night-time passes, they return on the Phantasm stage. This stage is similar to the Extra, but it's harder. After fighting more bizarre ghostly [[Fairy|fairies]], Ran will re-appear as a midboss, only to be defeated again. After some more time, [[Yukari Yakumo]] will appear, with the heroine demanding that she should fix the barrier. Even after she was defeated, she still didn't fix the barrier.


;''Phantasmagoria of Flower View''
;''Phantasmagoria of Flower View''
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;''Shoot the Bullet''
;''Shoot the Bullet''
The Netherworld frequently appears on ''[[Shoot the Bullet]]'', specifically on [[stage]]s 6, 8 and Ex-3 & 4. On Stage 6, [[Aya Shameimaru]] encounters [[Chen]] and [[Youmu Konpaku]] to try and take photos of their [[danmaku]]. The previous stage and the next stage are both at the [[Scarlet Devil Mansion]]. After the mansion on Stage 7, Aya will come back here and encounter [[Ran Yakumo]] and [[Yuyuko Saigyouji]] to try and take photos of their [[danmaku]] in [[Hakugyokurou]] garden. There are 8 scenes on both stage 6 and 8. Additionally on the Extra stage, after Aya met [[Flandre Scarlet]] at the mansion, she will come here again to encounter [[Yukari Yakumo]], trying to take photos of her [[danmaku]]. Aya will then fight [[Fujiwara no Mokou]] on Ex-5 and 6 at [[Eientei]].
The Netherworld frequently appears on ''[[Shoot the Bullet]]'', specifically on [[stage]]s 6, 8 and Ex-3 & 4. On Stage 6, [[Aya Shameimaru]] encounters [[Chen]] and [[Youmu Konpaku]] to try and take photos of their [[danmaku]]. The previous stage and the next stage are both at the [[Scarlet Devil Mansion]]. After the mansion on Stage 7, Aya will come back here and encounter [[Ran Yakumo]] and [[Yuyuko Saigyouji]] to try and take photos of their [[danmaku]] in [[Hakugyokurou]] garden. There are 8 scenes on both stage 6 and 8. Additionally on the Extra stage, after Aya met [[Flandre Scarlet]] at the mansion, she will come here again to encounter [[Yukari Yakumo]], trying to take photos of her [[danmaku]]. Aya will then fight [[Fujiwara no Mokou]] on Ex-5 and 6 at [[Eientei]].
;''Impossible Spell Card''
The Netherworld appears on the seventh day of ''[[Impossible Spell Card]]'', where [[Seija Kijin]] finds herself here and carries on defending herself from stronger [[human]]s and [[youkai]] who are trying to capture her. She'll fight against [[Marisa Kirisame]], [[Sakuya Izayoi]], [[Youmu Konpaku]] and [[Sanae Kochiya]] as they try to capture her with their "impossible" [[spell card]]s. There are 8 scenes total in the day. The previous day was located at the [[Untrodden Valley]] in the [[Youkai Mountain]], whilst the next day is located at the [[Shining Needle Castle]].


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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File:Th095Netherworld.jpg|The stairways in ''[[Shoot the Bullet]]''
File:Th095Netherworld.jpg|The stairways in ''[[Shoot the Bullet]]''
File:Th095Hakugyokurou.jpg|The garden in ''[[Shoot the Bullet]]''
File:Th095Hakugyokurou.jpg|The garden in ''[[Shoot the Bullet]]''
File:Th13Netherworld.jpg|The stairways in ''[[Ten Desires]]''
File:PMiSS netherworld.jpg|Illustration from ''[[Perfect Memento in Strict Sense]]''
File:PMiSS netherworld.jpg|Illustration from ''[[Perfect Memento in Strict Sense]]''
File:PMiSS hakugyokurou.jpg|Illustration from ''[[Perfect Memento in Strict Sense]]''
File:PMiSS hakugyokurou.jpg|Illustration from ''[[Perfect Memento in Strict Sense]]''
File:Th105Hakugyokurou.jpg|Hakugyokurou in ''[[Scarlet Weather Rhapsody]]''
File:Th105Hakugyokurou.jpg|Hakugyokurou in ''[[Scarlet Weather Rhapsody]]''
File:Th13Netherworld.jpg|The stairways in ''[[Ten Desires]]''
File:Th143Netherworld.jpg|The stairways in ''[[Impossible Spell Card]]''
</gallery>
</gallery>



Revision as of 23:42, 27 August 2015

冥界 (めいかい)
Netherworld
me̞ːka̠i
Gloomy World
The Netherworld
A part of the Netherworld in Scarlet Weather Rhapsody
Location

On top of the Youkai Mountain

Residents
Appearances
Official Games
Print Works

The Netherworld (冥界 Meikai, lit. Gloomy World) is the land where ghosts and phantoms reside after death. After a phantom has been judged by the Yama, they'll either go to Hell, Heaven or here in the Netherworld. The world frequently appears in various Touhou Project games and Manga, making it an important location.

General Information

The threat level here is 'high' and encounterable youkai are phantoms, ghosts and other types of spirits. After death, humans pass through the Road of Liminality, cross over the Sanzu River, and receive the Yama's judgement. Depending on the severity of their crimes, they are sent to either Hell, the Netherworld or Heaven. In the Nethweworld amongst these, it is the world where the guiltless dead spend their time as phantoms, until they achieve nirvana or reincarnate.

Different from the desolate Hell, it is calm, though it has various seasons. It is filled with beautiful cherry blossoms in spring and dyed with beautiful red leaves in autumn. The animals here are also dead, so they fly in the sky silently and splendidly. The Netherworld is a notable place for people in the know for their cherry blossom viewing parties. Like the Lunar Capital, it is a Pure Land where things do not change or decay with time[1]; things from the Netherworld which seem old were simply made that way for aesthetic reasons[2].

Hakugyokurou is located in the Netherworld, where two notable Touhou characters live, called Youmu Konpaku and Yuyuko Saigyouji. The former is a gardener and the latter is the "princess" of the land. The manor is a beautiful structure, surrounded by walls and stairs using designs from the continent, and has a Japanese-style residence and Zen garden at its highest level. The entrance to the manor is a very long stairway called "Hakugyokurou's Stairway" (白玉楼階段 Hakugyokurou Kaidan).

Even though most people are the dead in this world, apparently the Netherworld is a distinct part of Gensokyo, but travelling between the two is restricted by a gate above the clouds, sealed by a strong barrier. This barrier is called the Barrier of Life & Death. However since after the main events of Perfect Cherry Blossom, a hole opened in the barrier between the Netherworld and Gensokyo, and it has become easier to travel between them. This is because barrier was weakened by Yuyuko Saigyouji, making it possible to simply fly over the gate, and Reimu Hakurei (in her scenario) was able to destroy it. Afterwards, Yukari Yakumo was asked to repair the damage. However, she apparently never got around to it, as the boundary continues to thin in the summer of Imperishable Night.

Netherworld's Appearances

Windows Games

Perfect Cherry Blossom

The Netherworld first appeared as the centre of the main events of Perfect Cherry Blossom, being the location of stage 5 and the Final Stage. The spring was taken from Gensokyo and placed in the Netherworld in order to fully bloom Saigyou Ayakashi, a youkai cherry blossom tree that, unknown to Yuyuko Saigyouji, holds her dead body inside. After the heroines went across the Barrier of Life & Death on Stage 4, they'll go up Hakugyokurou's Stairs fighting ghostly fairies, but then encounter Youmu Konpaku. She warned the heroines that coming to the Netherworld is forbidden amongst the living, but was eventually defeated. After going deeper into the Netherworld on Stage 6 to Hakugyokurou's garden, they'll encounter Yuyuko, the Final boss of the game.

Ten days later,[3] the Netherworld re-appears in the Extra and Phantasm stages. Here, the heroines try to find the one who's not repairing the barrier between the Netherworld and Gensokyo. They fight against bizarre ghostly fairies and Windmills (or are they kedama?) and bump into Chen. Some time later, they encounter Ran Yakumo, only to discover that her mistress is asleep and Ran is guarding her. After what was consider an unnecessary, long battle, Ran was defeated, and the heroines have to come back at night. Once night-time passes, they return on the Phantasm stage. This stage is similar to the Extra, but it's harder. After fighting more bizarre ghostly fairies, Ran will re-appear as a midboss, only to be defeated again. After some more time, Yukari Yakumo will appear, with the heroine demanding that she should fix the barrier. Even after she was defeated, she still didn't fix the barrier.

Phantasmagoria of Flower View

The Netherworld appeared as a stage location in Phantasmagoria of Flower View at Hakugyokurou's Stairs, in which Youmu Konpaku is dedicated to this location. The stage generally appears on stage 3, 4 or 5, but on 6 in Lyrica Prismriver's scenario. Various characters will come here to look for leads towards the flower incident, only to find and defeat Youmu. Also, they'll discover that the flower incident has not spread to the Netherworld, only in Gensokyo. In Eiki Shiki, Yamaxanadu's scenario, she'll come here to see if Youmu has been keeping up with what she (supposed to have) learnt by the yama, to which she hasn't.

Ten Desires

The Netherworld once again appears in Ten Desires on Stage 1, where ZUN states that it's "been a while since we last went to the Netherworld." The heroines immediately thought that the cause of overflowing divine spirits was coming from here, only to find that Yuyuko Saigyouji does not know anything about it. She is the stage's boss, and a random divine spirit is the midboss. She points them towards the Myouren Temple after she's "defeated". In Youmu Konpaku's case, as she was investigating the incident, Yuyuko forbids her from leaving the Netherworld unless she can defeat her, which she does.

Spin-offs

Shoot the Bullet

The Netherworld frequently appears on Shoot the Bullet, specifically on stages 6, 8 and Ex-3 & 4. On Stage 6, Aya Shameimaru encounters Chen and Youmu Konpaku to try and take photos of their danmaku. The previous stage and the next stage are both at the Scarlet Devil Mansion. After the mansion on Stage 7, Aya will come back here and encounter Ran Yakumo and Yuyuko Saigyouji to try and take photos of their danmaku in Hakugyokurou garden. There are 8 scenes on both stage 6 and 8. Additionally on the Extra stage, after Aya met Flandre Scarlet at the mansion, she will come here again to encounter Yukari Yakumo, trying to take photos of her danmaku. Aya will then fight Fujiwara no Mokou on Ex-5 and 6 at Eientei.

Impossible Spell Card

The Netherworld appears on the seventh day of Impossible Spell Card, where Seija Kijin finds herself here and carries on defending herself from stronger humans and youkai who are trying to capture her. She'll fight against Marisa Kirisame, Sakuya Izayoi, Youmu Konpaku and Sanae Kochiya as they try to capture her with their "impossible" spell cards. There are 8 scenes total in the day. The previous day was located at the Untrodden Valley in the Youkai Mountain, whilst the next day is located at the Shining Needle Castle.

Gallery

Books and Articles

References