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Strange Creators of Outer World/Introduction of Previous Works/Hidden Star in Four Seasons/Overview

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暴走する四季、見慣れぬ妖怪の跋扈 (ばっこ)
そして顕現 (けんげん) する“背後の扉”……

全ては幻想郷の縁起 (えんぎ)
現代社会とを結ぶ、
真の神秘が仕掛けた罠だった

The out-of-control four seasons, the rampancy of unfamiliar youkai, the manifestation of "back doors"...

It was all was a trap set by a truly sacred mystery that connects the auspices of Gensokyo with modern society.

いつもどおりに春が訪れた。そのはずだった。
だが、満開の桜に包まれた博麗神社に人影は無く
それどころか幻想郷には夏・秋・冬といった
ほかの季節もいっぺんにやってきていて……。
外の世界で進行する地球温暖化とは無関係に現れた全ての季節、
見え隠れする謎の機構。
すべてはある目的のための、余波に過ぎなかった。
Spring has come as usual...well, it was supposed to, at least.
The Hakurei Shrine was surrounded by cherry blossoms in full bloom, but despite that, not a single person had shown up.

On the other hand, the other three seasons, summer, autumn, and winter, had all arrived to Gensokyo simultaneously.
A mysterious mechanism which slips in and out of view in every season, regardless of the Outside World's ongoing global warming situation.
Everything here was just the after-effects of a single goal.

隠されていたのは天使か悪魔か、それとも……。 Was it an angel that was being hidden? A devil? Or...?
今夏開催されたコミックマーケット92にて、「東方天空璋 〜 Hidden Stars in Four Seasons」が頒布された。5月に開催された東方オンリー即売会、博麗神社例大祭にてあらかじめ体験版CD−ROMが頒布されたが、上海アリス幻樂団のホームページで2017年10月1日現在も体験版が公開されていないため、多くのファンにとっては2年ぶりの新作となった。 Hidden Star in Four Seasons was distributed at Comiket 92, held in the summer of this year.
The demo's CD-ROM was distributed in advance at the Reitaisai (a Touhou-only convention) held in May, but since the trial version hadn't been released on the Team Shanghai Alice webpage as of October 1 2017, this was the first new game in two years for a majority of fans.
前作「紺珠伝」は、ステージ道中や対ボス戦の難易度が高めに設計されている代わりに、進行状態が自動的に記録され被弾によるゲームオーバーがシステム上存在しない「完全無欠モード」の存在が大きな特徴だった。さすがに今作では、これまでのシリーズ作品に近いシステムが採られている。それが「季節装備」システムだ。 The previous game, Legacy of Lunatic Kingdom, was designed to be more difficult in terms of stages and bosses, but it makes up for this with the implementation of a major feature called "Pointdevice Mode", a system which automatically records all progress and does away with the existence of game overs from being hit.
プレイヤーが操作するキャラクターは、それぞれ春夏秋冬のいずれかを固有の季節装備として保持しているが、さらにそれ以外に「サブ季節」として4種の季節装備から好きなものを1つ選んで組み合わせることができる。得意な組み合わせで強敵に挑もう。 Each player, in addition to one of four types of seasonal equipment, has the option to combine it with an additional "sub-season".
Choose the best season combination and challenge the enemies head on!
今作でのプレイヤーキャラクターはおなじみ霊夢と魔理沙のほかに、チルノと文が登場。特にチルノは「氷の妖精なのに日焼け!?」と発表時からファンを大いに驚かせた。 In addition to the well-known faces Reimu and Marisa, Cirno and Aya also appear as playable characters in this game.
Cirno, in particular, surprised fans when she was announced.

"She's an ice fairy, and yet she's got a suntan?!"

(はる) () 暢気 (ようき) 巫女 (みこ)
(はく) (れい) (れい) ()

(はる) () 暢気 (ようき) 巫女 (みこ)
(はく) (れい) (れい) ()

極寒 (ごっかん) (ふる) える魔法使 (まほうつか)
(きり) (さめ) () () ()

() けない炎天下 (えんてんか) 氷精 (ひょうせい)
日焼けした チルノ

紅葉 (もみじ) () らす天狗 (てんぐ)
(しゃ) (めい) (まる) (あや)

Carefree Shrine Maiden in the Spring Sun
Reimu Hakurei

Magician Shivering in the Arctic Cold
Marisa Kirisame

Unmelting Ice Fairy Under the Blazing Skies
Cirno (with a tan)

The Tengu who Scatters Autumn Leaves
Aya Shameimaru

今作のメインシステム
「季節装備」について


これまではキャラクターごとに装備を選んでいたが、今作では全キャラに共通して付け替えが可能な「サブ季節装備」の存在が大きな特徴となっている。キャラに固有の季節装備と、付け替え可能なサブ季節をうまく組み合わせて、自分的にベストな攻撃方法を見つけ、ゲームを有利に進めよう。

About the Seasonal Equipment

Up until now, each character had equipment chosen for them, but a major feature of this game is the "sub-season" equipment, which can be mix-and-matched for all characters.

Combine your own character's seasonal equipment with the customizable sub-seasons and find the combo that best suits you,
in order to progress the game in the advantage.

敵を倒すと出現する「季節アイテム」をゲットすることで「サブ季節」がパワーアップ!

サブ季節=ミニオプションは自機の背ろで活躍。1つ以上あれば「季節開放」が可能だ。

「季節開放」すると基本的にサブ季節はゼロになるが、別枠のボムとして上手く使おう。

Power up your sub-season with the "Seasonal Items" that are dropped by defeated enemies!

The sub-season itself is a mini-option that appears on the back of the player, and if you have more than one, you'll be able to perform a "Season Release".
Using a season release will basically drop the sub-season number to zero, but it works well as its own separate bomb.

四つの季節の力を使い
異変の解決へと出発
Utilizing the power of the four seasons
Departure for incident resolution

初心者にもっとも使いやすいサブ季節。敵に向かってホーミングする。道中でもボスでも役に立つのだ。

季節開放では、時期を中心に円形に敵弾を消滅させる。季節ゲージが多いほど広範囲をカバーできるぞ。

Spring

For beginners, this is the easiest sub-season to use.
It has the ability to home in on enemies, making it useful against stages and bosses.
Upon using Season Release, enemy bullets are extinguished in a circular shape in the center of the stage.

広範囲をカバーするショット。かわりに前方の強敵には効果がいまひとつだが、本領は季節開放にある。

範囲は狭いが、季節開放しても季節ゲージがゼロにならず、オプション1個を消費するのが最大の特徴だ。

Summer

A shot type that covers a wide area.
It's not very effective in dealing with strong enemies just in front of you. Really, its main draw lies in its Season Release.
The Release has a narrow range, but its biggest feature is that it only consumes one option, making it so your season gauge doesn't reach zero upon using a Season Release.

自機の左右に配置され、正面脇をカバーするタイプ。広範囲と前方集中の中間に位置する攻撃範囲だ。

季節開放すると、自機の周囲に敵弾を消すフィールドを張る。フィールド展開中は高速移動が可能になる。

Autumn

A shot type which is placed to the left and right of the player, and also covers the front area.
Upon release, a field will be set up around the player which erases enemy bullets. This effect also allows for high-speed movement while it's active.

自機の背後に縦にオプションが増えていき、そこからのレーザー攻撃。正面への強烈な攻撃手段だ。

解放時の自機の位置に、バリアを張る。さらに、バリアの展開中は自機の攻撃力がアップするぞ。

Winter

More options behind the player, from which lasers are shot. A powerful front-facing attack.
Places a barrier around the player at the time of release, and your attack power increases as long as this barrier is deployed.

STAGE 1
真夏の上空/朝靄 (あさもや) の先の真夏日
Miracle Blue Sky
STAGE 1
Midsummer Skies

A Midsummer Day Beyond the Morning Mist
Miracle Blue Sky
本来ならば桜の季節、異常気象を感じて出かけてみれば上空は既に夏真っ盛り。そこには異様な力の妖精たちがいて……。 The cherry blossom season would normally occur around this time, but if one were to go out,

they'll find that the weather is incredibly abnormal, and that the skies are already that of midsummer.
Many fairies fly about, wielding a strange power...

妖精の力は生命の力。妖精たちに力がみなぎったことで、季節がおかしなことに。

妖精たちの暴走といえば「花映塚」のときもそうだったが、もちろん原因は別だ。

序盤はまずシステムに慣れよう。敵を素早く倒すと季節アイテムが多めに出るぞ。

The power of the fairies is the power of life. The seasons were abnormal because the fairies were brimming with power.

The same held true back in Phantasmagoria of Flower View when it came to the berserk fairies, but the cause was different, of course.
But first, take this time at the beginning to get used to the game's system. You'll get more seasonal items if you defeat the enemies quick enough.

今なら新世界の神にでもなれそうな気分よ!

神に近づく (ちょう) の妖精
エタニティラルバ

アゲハ蝶の妖精。ほかの妖精と同じく、なんらかの影響で妖力がアップしている。チルノには、あとで貴重な助言を授けることに。

"Right now, I feel like I could even become the god of the new world!"

The Butterfly Fairy who Approaches God
Eternity Larva

A swallowtail butterfly fairy.
Like her fellow fairies, her magic power had increased due to the influence of some kind of force.
She gives valuable advice to Cirno later on.

主なカードアタック
蝶符「ミニットスケール」
蝶符「フラッタリングサマー」
通常攻撃弾
Notable Spellcards
Butterfly Sign "Minute Scales"
Butterfly Sign "Fluttering Summer"
Conventional attack types
 
STAGE 2
紅葉した山/紅い山の孤独
Red Mountain Loneliness
STAGE 2
Mountain in Autumn Colors

Solitude on the Scarlet Mountain
Red Mountain Loneliness
妖怪の山は、木々が色づいて見事な紅葉を見せていた。しかも、行く手に現れたのは滅多に姿を見せない妖怪で……。 Youkai Mountain, covered in many trees with beautiful crimson-turned leaves.

What's more, a rarely-seen youkai had made an appearance along the way...

2面道中あたりから、徐々に自機狙いの敵弾が増えてくる。油断しすぎないように。

難易度が低い場合、ステージ中では季節開放のタイミングがあまり無いかも。

サイズは小さめながら、堅めの妖精がバラまく弾に注意して進んでいきたい。

From Stage 2 onward, the number of bullets aimed at the player will gradually increase, so don't let your guard down too much.

On lower difficulties, there may not be many opportunities to use Season Release during this stage.
Though they're small, you'll want to pay attention to the bullets scattered by the stationary fairies.

ここはうちのなわばりだべ

浮世 (うきよ) の関を超える山姥 (やまんば)
坂田 ネムノ

山姥。妖怪の山に住むが、天狗や河童などほかの妖怪との交流を一切断って暮らしている。お互いに不可侵条約を結んでいるのだ。

"This here's s'posedta' be my territory."

The Yamanba who Surpasses This Floating World's Barriers
Nemuno Sakata

A yamanba.
She resides on Youkai Mountain, but refuses to interact with other youkai such as the kappa or tengu,
though they do form non-aggression treaties with one another.

主なカードアタック
雨符「 (とら) われの秋雨」
刃符「山姥の包丁研 (ほうちょうと) ぎ」
尽符「マウンテンマーダー」
Notable Spellcards
Rain Sign "Imprisoning Autumn Rain"
Blade Sign "Yamanba's Kitchen Knife Sharpening"
Blade Exhaustion Sign "Mountain Murder"
 
STAGE 3
博麗神社の夜桜/神獣泳ぐ桜色の海
Sea of Spring Pink
STAGE 3
Evening Cherries at the Hakurei Shrine

The Sakura-Colored Sea the Divine Beast Swims Through
Sea of Spring Pink
博麗神社の周辺は一面の桜吹雪。通常と比べ、あまりに咲き乱れている神社の境内で、見慣れない妖怪と出会うことに。 A flurry of falling cherry blossoms surrounds the Hakurei Shrine.

The shrine grounds was in much fuller bloom than usual, but while she was there, she had met with an unfamiliar youkai.

妖精の攻撃は激しさを増すが、敵弾が増えるのは季節開放のチャンスでもある。

中盤、春を告げる妖精リリーホワイトが登場。他の妖精同様パワーが増している。

季節開放のタイミングをつかむ練習に向いているかもしれない。残機を増やそう。

The fairies' attacks become more intense, but this increase in ammunition also means more opportunities to use your Season Release.

Lily White, the fairy who announces spring, appears as a midboss in this stage. Like the other fairies, her power had also increased.
This would perhaps be a suitable stage for practicing timing your Season Releases. Go now, increase your number of lives!

桜に浮かれてたのかなぁ 自分でも判らないや

神仏 (しんぶつ) 心酔 (しんすい) する守護神獣 (しゅごしんじゅう)
() () () あうん

狛犬。自主的に神社やお寺を守護していたらしい。あうんがなぜこのタイミングで神社に現れたのかは、異変と関係があって……。

"Maybe I was entranced by the cherry blossoms? Even I'm not quite sure."

The Guardian Beast Devoted to Shintoism and Buddhism
Aunn Komano

A komainu.
She seems to be protecting shrines and temples on her own initiative.
The reason she appeared at the Hakurei Shrine in particular has something to do with the current incident...

主なカードアタック
犬符「野良犬の散歩」
独楽「コマ犬回し」
狛符「 (ひと) 阿吽 (あうん) 呼吸 (こきゅう)
Notable Spellcards
Dog Sign "Stray Dog's Walk"
Spinning Top "Koma-Inu Spin"
Koma Sign "Solitary A-Un Breathing"
 
STAGE 4
魔法の森上空(推測)/視界ゼロの邂逅 (かいこう)
White blizzard out of season
STAGE 4
Sky Over the Forest of Magic (assumed)

A Curious Encounter at Zero Visibility
White Blizzard Out of Season
魔法の森は一転して吹雪に閉ざされていた。凍てつく氷雪と激しさを増す弾幕が行く手を阻む。そこに現れる不審な影。 The Forest of Magic had been completely consumed by a snowstorm. Blocking the way are freezing cold ice and snow, and an increasing amount of danmaku. Just then, a mysterious shadow had appeared.
遊びは終わりと言わんばかりに、4面からぐっと難易度が上がるので、要注意だ。

とにかく連続して妖精たちが現れ、弾をバラまいてくる。出現位置を覚えたい。

中ボス直後の攻撃は激しいが、ノーボムで進めばボム1個をゲットするチャンスもある。

As if to say, "you're at the endgame now", there's a spike in difficulty starting at Stage 4, so be careful.

In any case, fairies will appear in succession and scatter their bullets, so take some time to remember when and where they appear.
The attacks from immediately after the midboss's appearance are fierce, but if you don't bomb before then, you'll have the chance to get a single bomb.

何故だろう、こんなに魔力が溢れ出てくるなんて

森で垂迹 (すいじゃく) した魔法地蔵
矢田寺 成美

元は魔法の森に置かれていたお地蔵様。森の魔力の影響で生命を得た存在なので、あうんとは妖怪化した過程が異なる。硬くはない。

"My, what's going on? I'm practically overflowing with magic power..."

The Magic Jizo who Manifested in the Forest
Narumi Yatadera

A former Jizo placed in the Forest of Magic.
Since she is a being who gained life under the influence of the forest's magical power,
the process in which she became a youkai is quite different from that of Aunn's.
Also, she doesn't have hard skin.

主なカードアタック
魔符「インタスタントボーディ」
魔符「バレットゴーレム」
地蔵「クリミナルサルヴェイション」
Notable Spellcards
Magic Sign "Instant Bodhi"
Magic Sign "Bullet Golem"
Koma Jizo "Criminal Salvation"
 
STAGE 5
後戸の国/童子は狂気を跳ね (おど)
Into crazy back door
STAGE 5
Land of the Back Door

The Douji Hop and Dance in Madness
Into Crazy Back Door
自分の背後に謎の扉ができる、という事態を逆に利用してたどり着いた先は、不気味な異界「後戸の国」だった……。 Taking advantage of the doors that manifested on the backs of things, she found herself in an eerie Otherworld known as the "Land of the Back Door"...
4面以上に攻撃が激しいので、しっかりパターンを組んで自分のリズムをつかもう。

今作では敵のレーザーに季節開放をぶつけることで多くの季節アイテムが得られる。

5面では難易度が低くても特定の敵が打ち返し弾を撃ってくるのが特徴だ。

The attacks here are more intense than that of the previous stage, so make sure your rhythm's got a solid pattern.

In this game, you can acquire plenty of seasonal items by hitting the enemies' lasers with your Season Release.
During stage 5, certain enemies will fire back at you even on lower difficulties.

早速だけどテストを開始するよ!

危険すぎるバックダンサーズ
(てい) (れい) () (まい)

隠岐奈の部下にしてバックダンサーズの竹担当。舞は対象の生命力を引き出すことができる。4面の中ボスでもある。

"Now, this might be a bit sudden, but let's start your test!"

All-Too-Dangerous Backup Dancers
Mai Teireida

A subordinate of Okina and the backdancer responsible for bamboo.
Mai is capable is drawing out a subject's vitality.
She's also the stage 4 midboss.

改めてようこそ後戸の国へ

危険すぎるバックダンサーズ
() () () (さと) ()

隠岐奈の部下にしてバックダンサーズの茗荷担当。対象の背後で踊ることで、精神力を引き出すことができるようだ。

"Hello once again, and welcome to the Land of the Back Door."

All-Too-Dangerous Backup Dancers
Satono Nishida

A subordinate of Okina and the backdancer responsible for myoga ginger.
It seems that she can draw out a subject's mental energy by dancing behind them.

主なカードアタック
竹符「バンブースピアダンス」
茗荷「フォゲットユアネーム」
狂舞「テングオドシ」
Notable Spellcards
Bamboo Sign "Bamboo Spear Dance"
Myoga Ginger "Forget Your Name"
Mad Dance "Tengu-Odoshi"
 
STAGE 6
後戸の国/開けるなかれ、見るなかれ 後ろの扉に秘天あり
Hidden Star in Four Seasons
STAGE 6
Land of the Back Door

Open It Not, Gaze Not Upon It; Heaven Lies Hidden Behind the Door to Your Rear
Hidden Star in Four Seasons
ついに現れた異変の首謀者、隠岐奈。自分には絶対に勝てないと豪語する、彼女の真の目的はいったいなんなのか。 Okina, the mastermind of this incident, has finally appeared. What are the motives of this woman, who boasts that she could never defeat her?
お前の背中に式の扉がある限り勝負など茶番でしかない

究極の絶対秘神
() () () () () ()

さまざまな側面を持つ秘神。里乃と舞の後継者を探すために幻想郷中に扉を作ったと言うが、その真意はまったく別のところにあった。

"As long as you have that door of the seasons on your back, any battle between us will be nothing more than a farce."

The Ultimate, Absolute Secret God
Okina Matara

A secret god with many faces.
She claimed to have placed those doors in Gensokyo in order to find successors for Satono and Mai, but her true intentions are actually completely different.

主なカードアタック
後符「秘神の後光」
裏夏「スコーチ・バイ・ホットサマー」
裏秋「ダイ・オブ・ファミン」
裏冬「ブラックスノーマン」
裏春「エイプリルウィザード」
Notable Spellcards
Back Sign "Halo of the Secret God"
Hidden Summer "Scorch by Hot Summer"
Hidden Fall "Die of Famine"
Hidden Winter "Black Snowman"
Hidden Spring "April Wizard"
 
Revenging Stage (EXTRA)
後戸の国/秘神の真の姿
Hidden Star in Fifth Season
Revenging Stage (EXTRA)
Land of the Back Door

True Form of the Secret God
Hidden Star in Fifth Season
季節装備が隠岐奈の用意した罠だと気づけば、あとはリベンジに向かうのみ。四季以外の新たな装備で秘神を打ち破れ。 Once she had realized that the seasonal equipment was a trap set by Okina, all she could think of was getting her revenge.

Thus, she went to defeat this mysterious god with new equipment outside of the four seasons.

道中もボスも、プレイヤーキャラの背後から攻撃してくることが多い。まずは慣れよう。

再び立ちふさがる二童子。3つのスペルカードで攻撃してくるが、隠岐奈戦の練習台だ。

Both the stage's enemies and the boss will often attack from behind the player character; You'll need to get used to that above all else.

The two Douji once again bar the way. They attack with three spellcards this time, but they simply serve as practice partners for the rematch against Okina.

見よ、聞け、語れ! 秘神の真なる魔力がお前の障碍となろう!

究極の絶対秘神
摩多羅 隠岐奈

"See it! Hear it! Speak of it! The secret god's true magic power shall be your greatest hindrance!"

The Ultimate, Absolute Secret God
Okina Matara

主なカードアタック
秘儀「裏切りの後方射撃」
秘儀「弾幕の玉繭 (たままゆ)
秘儀「後戸の狂言」
秘儀「七星の剣」
秘儀「無縁の芸能者」
「背面の暗黒猿楽」
Notable Spellcards
Secret Ceremony "Rear Shots of Betrayal"
Secret Ceremony "Danmaku Dupion"
Secret Ceremony "Kyogen of the Back Door"
Secret Ceremony "Sword of the Seven Stars"
Secret Ceremony "Performers Unattached to Society"
"The Back Face's Dark Sarugaku"
五番目のサブ季節「土用」
うなぎを食べる日として有名な、あの土用である。本来は夏だけでなく季節と季節のはざまに位置する、移り変わりの期間を指すもの。ステージ構成にあわせた強力な装備だ。

土用装備はプレイヤーキャラの後方に向けて放たれる。背後に集中した攻撃が可能だ。

季節開放で、オプションが1個しか減らないのは夏装備と同じ。範囲は狭いが問題ない。

Doyou, the fifth Subseason
Doyou, it's that period well-known for being a time to eat eels.

The term was originally used to refer to the transitional period between all the seasons, not just summer. A powerful kind of equipment that matches up with the composition of this stage.
Doyou equipment is released towards the player character's back, making it possible to launch concentrated attacks behind you. It works in a similar manner to the summer sub-season equipment, with it only consuming one option upon release. Said release also has a narrow range, but that shouldn't be a problem.

ぷち・幻想のもと by編集部 Fragment of Phantasy (Mini)
by the Editorial Department
今回は誌面の都合上「天空璋」用の「幻想のもと」が無いので、3面までのちょっとした元ネタと空想を、本スペースを借りて紹介しようと思う。 This time, due to circumstances involving the size of the magazine, there is no dedicated Fragment of Phantasy section for Hidden Star in Four Seasons. Instead, I'll be borrowing this space to introduce a bit of source material and phantasies for up to stage 3.
・エタニティラルバと常世神 (とこよのかみ) ・Eternity Larva and Tokoyo-no-Kami
ゲームを全キャラでクリアすれば、隠岐奈のセリフで言及されているため気づいたプレイヤーも多いかもしれないが、ラルバは常世神という存在と同一の可能性がある。 Players who have cleared the game with all the characters have noticed it thanks to a few lines spoken by Okina, but to put it simply, Larva and the Tokoyo-no-Kami may perhaps be the same being.
常世神は記録の上では日本で初めて発生した新興宗教において祀られていた神様という位置づけで、「日本書紀」に登場する。はるか古代の話なのに「新興」宗教とは、というツッコミみはアリだと思うが、それはさておき、記録の上では「かいこ」に似た緑の存在で黒い点がある、というからどうみてもアゲハ蝶の幼虫と思われる。この新興宗教、悪い意味で流行し、けしからんから滅ぼそう、大和朝廷から討伐に向かわされたのが秦河勝 (はたのかわかつ) 。聖徳太子の側近として活躍し、芸能の神として摩多羅神の信仰の一部と混ざって語られることもある人物だ。隠岐奈が自分と敵対する存在、という意味はこのあたりからきている。 Tokoyo-no-Kami first appears in the Nihon Shoki, as a god enshrined in a new religion that first emerged in Japan. Perhaps I'd have a tsukkomi get on my tail for calling a religion depicted in an ancient book "new", but besides that, it's thought that the being depicted in the record was a swallowtail butterfly caterpillar, since it was described as having black spots and resembling a green silkworm.

Hata no Kawakatsu was sent by the Yamato Imperial Court in order to subjugate the followers of this religion. Kawakatsu was a close aide to Prince Shoutoku and is sometimes considered a god of entertainment, partially associated with Matara-jin's faith. That is what Okina meant when she declared Tokoyo-no-Kami to be one of her enemies.

・坂田ネムノと金太郎 ・Nemuno Sakata and Kintarou
「山姥」、と聞いて最初に思い浮かぶのはなんだろうか。昔話に親しみのある人なら、山に住むおばあさんの妖怪で、ときどき人をさらって食べてしまう、というのがテンプレ的に有名だろう。親しみがない人でも、ちょっと前に渋谷近辺で女子高生たちのあいだで流行したメイクをした人たちのことは「ヤマンバギャル」などと言われているのを聞いたことはあるだろうか。いずれにせよ、ちょっと恐ろしい存在という認識が多そうだ。 "Yamanba"...What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear that term?

If you're familiar with the old tales, you'll know them as a famous youkai who follow the template of "grandmother who lives in the mountains and sometimes kidnaps and eats people".
For those who aren't, you've probably heard of the "Yamanba Gyaru" trend from a while ago, which was a group from the Shibuya area who would wear heavy makeup. This trend was particularly popular among high school girls.
Either way, Yamanba seems to have a lot of recognition, to the point that it's kinda scary.

だが、そんな山姥にも珍しく良かった系の話がある。それが金太郎の親説だ。その伝説では、老婆の夢に現れた赤い竜が夢の中で老婆と交わり、生まれたのが金時ということになっている。ネムノの苗字はもちろん、魔理沙を見て金太郎のようだと話すのには、その伝説との薄いつながりを元ネタとしているからだろう。 However, there does exist a story which depicts a benevolent yamanba, which was rather rare in folklore. She was Kintaro's parental figure in this story.

According to legend, a red dragon had appeared in the dreams of a yamanba. This dragon had intercourse with the yamanba, and a boy known as "Kintoki" was eventually born. Nemuno's last name being a thin connection to this legend was probably why she said that Marisa reminded her of Kintaro.

・あうんと狛犬と一対の守護 ・Aunn, Komainu, and the Guardian Duo
日本に住んでいて、一回も狛犬を見たことがないという人は相当少ないのではないだろうか。それくらい狛犬は数多くいる。なにせ寺社仏閣……つまり神社にもお寺にもいる。まあ明治政府の神仏分離令――神社とお寺はちゃんと分けましょうね、という法律が施行されるまでは、両者は施設としても信仰としてもかなり混然一体としていたので、両方にいるという言い方が意味がないかもしれない。「神仏習合」という考えだ。 I believe there exist very few people living in Japan who have never seen a komainu. That's how frequent the komainu are. But anyway, shrines and temples...that is to say, you can find them at both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Well, until the Meiji government's Shinto-Buddhist Separation Order---which decreed that shrines and temples be properly separated---was put into place. Until that law was enacted, temples and shrines kinda blended together in terms of beliefs and facilities, so it would make sense that komainu would be standing outside of both. The idea behind this was "Shinbutsu-shuugou", aka "Shinto-Buddhist syncretism​".
ともかく、狛犬は仏教伝来と同じくらいのタイミングで日本に伝わっている。そして、門に一対、両側に1個ずつ配置するのが普通だった。でも当初はその1個ずつには違いがなかったらしい。だが、現在の狛犬の多くは、左右でそれぞれ違う顔をしていることが多い。具体的には口を開いているか閉じているか、「阿=あ」か「吽=うん」かの違いだ。口に出してみればわかると思うが、阿が口を開いているほう、吽が口を閉じているほうだ。あうんは一人で両方やっている。会話の絵をよく見てもらえばそれがわかると思う。 Speaking of which, komainu were introduced to Japan at around the same time as Buddhism. Since then, it became commonplace to place a pair of them outside of gates, one on each side. But in the beginning, the two komainu had no differences between them. Nowadays, however, many of today's komainu have different faces between the ones on the left and right---specifically, whether their mouth is open or closed, and whether they're saying "Ah" or "Un". As you can tell by sounding them out on your own, the open-mouthed one is saying "Ah" and the closed-mouth one is saying "Un".
Aunn does both of these on her own. You'll understand this if you take a closer look at her portraits during her ingame dialogue.
阿吽は真言、仏教の呪文の一つで、それぞれ宇宙の始まりと終わりを表すらしい。おそらくは密教系の広がりとともに阿吽の型を示す金剛力士像(お寺の入り口の門にあるムキムキの像を思い出してほしい)の建立が流行ったことの後追いで、入り口を守護する狛犬も阿吽の型を取るようになっていたのではないか、そんな空想が広がる。 "Ah-Un" is a Buddhist mantra, and the vowels apparently represent the beginning and end of the universe, respectively.

Perhaps following the spread of esoteric Buddhism and the popularity of the Deva King statues that were being erected (You know, those muscular statues that stand at temple gates?), the komainu that guard gates now often follow the "Ah-Un" trend, which seems to have even made its way into fantasy.

ちなみに直近の「東方茨歌仙」では、あうんについて詳しく語られている。気になる人はぜひ見ていただきたい。 By the way, Aunn is discussed in detail in the latest release of Wild and Horned Hermit, so go check that out if you're interested.