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Kasen Ibaraki
Kasen Ibaraki | |
|---|---|
 Kasen Ibaraki in Wild and Horned Hermit 片腕有角の仙人More Character Titles | |
| Nickname |
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| Species | Hermit(?) |
| Abilities | Understanding what birds say, crushing onryou, instant movement, using animals, remote control of artificial arms, connecting separate spaces, guiding and transfiguring youkai, hiding her home using fangshu, creating and controlling light orbs |
| Occupation | Unknown |
| Location | Youkai Mountain, also seen at the Hakurei Shrine |
Appearances | |
| Print Works | |
| Show Print Work appearances | |
Kasen Ibaraki (茨木 華扇 Ibaraki Kasen) (with pseudonyms Ibarakasen 茨華仙 and Kasen 華仙) is a mysterious hermit living in the mountains. Possessing an artificial arm and various abilities, she can often be seen dispensing knowledge to Reimu, Marisa, and Sanae. She first appeared in Wild and Horned Hermit, in which she is the main character.
Contents |
Concept
Just like Suika Ibuki and Yuugi Hoshiguma, Kasen is probably based on an oni, Ibaraki-doji. Ibaraki-doji was one of the oni who had headquarters on Mt. Ooe and broke into Japan on a rampage. Although Ibaraki-doji was a subordinate to Shuten-doji who was typically leader, there are also theories that Ibaraki-doji was the daugher of Shuten-doji, or as Ibaraki-doji might be a female oni, there was also a theory that she was his lover. At any rate, Ibaraki-doji seems different from the other big four subordinates and seems to have a special relation with Shuten-doji.
At any rate, when the crew of Shuten-doji and the others were exterminated simultaneously by Minamoto no Yorimitsu, Ibaraki-doji fought with one of his allies Watanabe no Tsuna without falling into a deep sleep, but upon seeing Shuten-doji being defeated and deciding that he/she was no match, fled.
The survivor Ibaraki-doji assailed humans once again afterwards, and in doing so, even assailed Watanabe no Tsuna. However, when Tsuna turned the tables and cut off one arm, Ibaraki-doji once again took flight.
Name
Her family name, 茨木 (Ibaraki) could mean "rose bush", while 華扇 (Kasen) is written with the characters for "flower fan". In her pseudonym, 茨 (Ibara), refers to a thorny wild rose, hence the rose brooch and thorn motif on her dress. The characters 華仙 (Kasen) roughly mean "flowery mystic" or "gorgeous hermit".
Although she introduces and identifies herself as Ibara Kasen in Wild and Horned Hermit, Kasen Ibaraki appears in brackets alongside the nickname, this is due to the fact that her real name is Kasen Ibaraki (茨木華扇 Ibaraki Kasen) with nicknames 華仙 (Kasen) or 茨華仙 (Ibarakasen). This was later confirmed by official site.[1] An pseudonym (号) is different from their given names (名) or a courtesy name (字) - rather, it is a name that they go by which they have given themselves. Also, in a marginal explanation in chapter 16 of Oriental Sacred Place, it explained that her nickname Kasen (華仙) was her pet name.
Appearance
In her original appearance, she has red eyes, and shoulder-length pink hair with Chinese-style double buns. Her right arm is wrapped in bandages. She wears a white shirt and a green skirt, over those a brown front panel that has a thorny vine motif and a large rose-shaped ornament just below collar level. She also appears to have a shackle on her left wrist.
One Armed, Horned
Concerning the "one armed" in her title, her usual appearance is with two arms. However, when Reimu Hakurei seized her right arm, as if she was defeated by Reimu's grasping power, it bent flabbily, and in the gaps of the bandages leaked out some smoke. Combined with the instance when she seemed to be looking for an arm, Kasen has originally lost her right arm, so she might have possibly used a kind of sorcery to use bandages to help.
When this arm touched with Reimu's Yin-Yang Orb, the right arm responded violently and scattered away. The principles behind this unknown, but Kasen immediately reconstructed the annihilated right arm. As the yin-yang orb is the shintai of the shrine blessed with exterminating youkai, she said something the main point of which was that carelessly touching it is dangerous, and since Kasen is a youkai or similar to youkai, it can be thus seen that the power which Kasen uses to make her right arm is of such (youkai) power.
Concerning the "horned" in her title, at least in the range of what can be seen, nothing horn-like can be confirmed. Since she has chignon caps that could possibly hide them, it is currently unknown if they really are there.
Ability
When she informed Reimu Hakurei about what she can do, she answered "secret" and "I can do various things", but since in her character settings and captions there have been no explanations about her abilities, and what ability she possessed in terms of "ability to the extent of ~" is unclear. Although in the work, there are several things that can be seen as ability-like, it is not definite whether the ones listed below are because of an "ability to the extent of ~" or if it is an innate ability of her race, or if it is a kind of sorcery that hermits can learn as mentioned in Perfect Memento in Strict Sense.
- To understand what birds say
In the first chapter when Kasen visited the Hakurei Shrine, she heard the birds making a clamor about the discovery of one arm of a mummy.
- To crush onryou
She is able to crush onryou with her right arm wrapped in bandages. Since Komachi Onozuka does not even know how Kasen does it, it is not because all hermits can do it. Also, it seems that the crushed onryou are annihilated and are taken out of the cycle of reincarnation.
- Instant movement
In the second chapter, she appeared in the background of the offertory box in the Hakurei Shrine without warning, surprising Sanae Kochiya who came to visit. It has not been specified what range of distance she is able to move, or if she can move anywhere. Also, in the seventh chapter, she performed a movement such that she was in the background of the offertory box without being noticed.
- To use animals
In addition to regular animals like monkeys, snakes, and birds, Kasen and Reimu rode on the back of a dapeng, and is even able to use such uncommon creatures like the children of dragons. Especially concerning the children of dragons, she even said, "whatever I say, they will listen". According to Komachi, the employment of animals is Kasen's signature move.
On the official site, it was stated that she possessed the ability to guide animals, but since it was not stated as "ability to the extent of guiding animals", it is probably not an ability name.
- Remote control of artificial arms
The right arm wrapped in bandages is probably a kind of artificial arm of a trapped vaporous substance, but from her actual body, she is able to remotely control it.
- To connect separate spaces
This was shown at the same time as the aforementioned remote control of artificial arms. Upon inserting her artificial arm beneath her apron, a detached artificial arm appeared in a separate place. In this state, upon seizing something and bringing it back, the seized object was also withdrawn together from beneath her apron.
- To guide and transfigure youkai
This was shown in chapter 16 of Oriental Sacred Place. She herself said that she admonished the yamainu who attacked humans and turned them into youkai, gave a recommendation to be a youkai whose stomach is satisfied even without attacking humans, and transfigured the human-protecting youkai into an okuri-inu. Afterwards, the yamainu, who was actually transfigured into a protective dog, in order to protect humans, drove away the Three Fairies of Light who were scheming mischief.
When Kasen said that she did something to the yamainu and hoisted her bandaged right arm in a meaningful manner, even Luna Child felt a sense of doubt that a human-eating beast would listen to preaching, so therefore it is probably not simply due to preaching, but a kind of ability. Of course, this could possibly just be a part of her ability to use animals.
- To hide her home using fangshu
The ability Kasen uses is probably just one part of fangshu, but since a general ability to use fangshu has not been stated, presently, it is only this ability.
Using this sorcery, in order to finally reach Kasen's hidden house, it is necessary to use a special path. Even when it is a blizzard outside, only around her house does snow not fall, protecting its calm, which Marisa compared to as being another world.
After the incident in Ten Desires, Toyosatomimi no Miko and Mononobe no Futo who can probably also use the same type of sorcery, created another world called Senkai and moved there, but it is not known whether or not the sorcery that Kasen used to hide her home and the sorcery used to create Senkai are of the same kind.
- To create and control light orbs
She is able to create light orbs from her right hand, and move them by mere thought. Kasen installed such one close to the big zelkova Saouchi's tree, in order to serve as a landmark. Since she can freely use light orbs of the size and number she wants, it an be seen that she used a massive quantity of small ones as well as single big ones.
Story
- Wild and Horned Hermit
- Main article: Wild and Horned Hermit
Kasen meets Marisa Kirisame outside the Human Village as the latter was running an errand for Reimu Hakurei. In the beginning, she appears to be nothing but a simple, strange ascetic, but it's all a guise. Her real motive for appearing at the Hakurei Shrine is to search for the Kappa's Arm, thought by her to be at the Hakurei Shrine. Second, according to her, her objective is to shut down the connection between humans and the Former Hell. What that means is unclear, but she takes great interest in the runaway evil spirits at the Underground Geyser Center, and is able to destroy them with her bandaged arm which, when unwrapped, takes the form of black ash or smoke. This brings her to the attention of Komachi Onozuka, whose superiors are concerned about Kasen's movements. As she continues to act in secret, she also attempts to teach Reimu, Sanae Kochiya, and Marisa how to be better people, investigates and wraps herself up in various small time incidents, and introduces Reimu and the others to her power to control various beasts.
Relationships
Kasen is kind and polite to nearly everyone. She is always willing to lend a word of advice or teach a lesson, but is often seen as preachy and overly critical of others.
- Reimu Hakurei
Kasen remembers Reimu Hakurei from long before, having visited the Hakurei Shrine many times in the past, although Reimu's memory failed her and she had to be reminded who Kasen was. She's mostly earned Reimu's annoyance, who dislikes sermons and doesn't want her shrine to smell of them. She mostly thinks of Kasen as a nagging, preachy busybody. However, Reimu often concedes, either because Kasen is usually right or she doesn't want to deal with her. Kasen is openly critical of Reimu, believing her to be too greedy and slack in her duties.
- Marisa Kirisame
Initially thinking she was just a strange hermit, Marisa Kirisame also met Kasen some time before Wild and Horned Hermit and is the first to remember who she was. Once reunited, Kasen is invited by Marisa to visit more often, to the disdain of Reimu. Marisa hopes that Kasen will teach her any life extending techniques and is more than willing to listen to Kasen's preaching in exchange.
- Kasen's Pets, the Unnamed Dragon, Unnamed Dapeng, and Unnamed Raijuu, Saouchi, Kume
Mostly cryptids who can be summoned at any time, such as when she called on the child dragon to abduct Reimu and used the dapeng for transportation. However, there was a point at which the raijuu she captured previously felt lonesome and ran away. She is also shown to have a snake and monkey.
Other Minor or Unknown Meetings or Associations
- Sanae Kochiya
Sanae Kochiya lives on the Youkai Mountain near to Kasen and are considered neighbors. They meet fairly often and are on friendly enough terms. Kasen is a bit critical of Sanae, as well, albeit to a much lesser extent than Reimu. Sanae describes her as living in a large mansion, corrected by Kasen as being a training dojo.
Despite being friendly enough with Sanae, she is highly suspicious of Kanako and Suwako's schemes to attain faith and their inability to handle the Underground Geyser Center's dangers.
- Komachi Onozuka
Komachi Onozuka and Kasen are slightly antagonistic toward each other. Ordered to keep Kasen under surveillance, Komachi is distrusting of her, even to the point of threatening her with her scythe, although she doesn't appear to be serious about it.
- Suika Ibuki
When Suika Ibuki appeared at the Hakurei Shrine, Kasen quickly fled the scene in order to avoid her. She appears familiar with Suika but her relationship with her is unknown but appears hesitant about letting Suika know about her current status.
Theories
There are theories among the fanbase about the Touhou Project with what could be suggested to be true on most cases. This section will list some well known theories in relation to Kasen Ibaraki. These are to be noted to only use official material, and a caveat can be suggested to be conjectures on most parts.
Relation to Oni
Due to having a possibility of been based on Ibaraki Douji, having something that would seem like horns, and things that are symbolic of oni in the Touhou Project like the chains and shackles, there is a strong orientation towards the consideration that Kasen is an oni.
Regarding the characters they were apparently based on, Ibaraki Douji was a direct subordinate of Shuten Douji, and since Hoshikuma Douji (the one Yuugi is probably based on, and was also one of the "big four" subordinates of Shuten Douji) would thereby have the same standpoint, this suggests that Kasen is one of the "big four".
Whether or not Kasen is a hermit
From things suggested by her own speech and conduct, there is a theory that Kasen is not truly a hermit. However, there are also several things that seem like she has the existence of a hermit, and so there is presently not enough information to be definitive. Here, examples for both sides are presented.
Her own sayings
In chapter 2, when Sanae said, "as expected of a hermit" as a word of admiration, Kasen then began to say, "even living as a hermit like this, I am just a..." and then in a rush, shut her mouth. If one takes this to be frank, then Kasen is only in a hermit's clothing, and to call herself a hermit would also be a lie. In this, Kasen said, "by driving away the envoys of hell, I have lived several times more than humans," and on this point, it has a consistency with what is mentioned in Perfect Memento in Strict Sense regarding hermits. If this is related, if Kasen is a kind of youkai, especially if she is an oni, there is an opinion that even if she would have no hermit-style means of driving away assassins from hell, species-wise there is a possibility that she has lived even longer than humans.
Oni suspicions
As stated previously, there is a suspicion that Kasen might be an oni. In reality, although in the legends and classics, there were frequently hermits who had human origins, and although there is a theory that Kasen is an oni who became hermit, according to Perfect Memento in Strict Sense, hermits are something that humans become, and in the worldview of Touhou Project, there are presently nothing that shows that non-humans can become hermits.
Also, when Reimu in Chapter 9 of Wild and Horned Hermit declares that she will exterminate anything that isn't human, the remark is immediately followed by a scene of Kasen sneezing and wondering why she feels a chill. In Japan, it is a common myth that when a person sneezes and feels an ominous feeling, it is because someone else said something that could be referring to them. This would heavily imply that Kasen is not human.
Young appearance
According to something Reimu said in the first chapter and Perfect Memento in Strict Sense, appearance-wise hermits look like aged. Among this, as Kasen has a juvenile appearance, this is the basis that her existence is different from that of an ordinary hermit. However, in Ten Desires, the appearance-wise young hermit Seiga Kaku appeared, so this does not mean that all hermits need to appear aged, and also revealed that not only Kasen has an exceptional existence.
Fangshu
Kasen is able to use fangshu (方術). Fangshu is an art used by taoist immortals and taoists, and according to Perfect Memento in Strict Sense, hermits are able to learn sorcery, probably pointing towards fangshu. As Kasen is able to use this kind of sorcery, Kasen would thus have a close existence to that of hermits, so it probably isn't that she has no relation to hermits.
Food
According to Perfect Memento in Strict Sense, pretty much all hermits who have passed five hundred years of age do not need food, and simply ingesting fog or haze will be enough. However, Kasen ordinarily does eat food, and other than in chapter 2 when she proposed having hot pot, there was a scene in chapter 7 when she ate dango. Also, in chapter 10, when the stranded Marisa Kirisame strayed into her home, she treated her to something like nikuman, which can lead one to guess that in ordinary times, she usually has a supply of food in her home. Even if for argument's sake, she has not reached the age of five hundred, it can be said to be a non-hermit-like trait.
Additional Information
Trivia
- Kasen was one of the possibilities ZUN had in mind for the Extra Stage boss of Ten Desires, along with Byakuren Hijiri.
Fanon
- Because of the advantages of being a hermit, Kasen is not required to eat that much, suggesting that she could be potentially very thin in return. Fans picked that up, drawing her with a very skinny exposed chest to the extent that you can see her ribs under her skin. It is a pun on "Rib-kasen", which is Abarakasen (肋華仙) in Japanese.
- Though in contrast, most arts give her a moderate frame and figure, sometimes more so.
- For some reason, Kasen is sometimes portrayed with a sign in her hand, which was featured in Chapter 2 of Wild and Horned Hermit.
- Many fans expected Kasen to appear in Ten Desires. Due to this there exists a fanmade Phantasm Stage featuring her.
- Since the introduction of Seiga Kaku in Ten Desires, fans have frequently depicted Kasen and her together.
Official Profiles
- 東方茨歌仙 official website
Official Sources
Show sourcesReferences
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "キャラクター紹介 [Character Introduction]" (in Japanese). Ichijinsha. June 2011. http://www.ichijinsha.co.jp/special/toho_ibarakasen/.
