Glossary

Hi everyone, I've decided to include a little glossary since this novel uses a lot of Japanese folklore most might not be familiar with. I will update the glossary as I publish chapters, so you can always come back and look for terms that are unfamiliar. I'll also include sources if you would like to learn a little more about the folklore used in the novel.

Onmyōji

An onmyōji (陰陽師) is a master of the ancient Japanese mystical art of Onmyōdō, which is based on Chinese yin-yang principles and the five elements. These figures were historical court officials who practiced divination and magic, and are known in modern times through folklore and pop culture as sorcerers or spiritual mediums. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onmy%C5%8Dji

Makai

"Makai" (魔界) literally translates to "demon world" or "demon realm".

Onikirimaru

A demon slaying sword from Japanese folklore. Source: https://japanesesword.net/blogs/news/the-onikirimaru-katana-exploring-the-mythical-demon-slayer-sword?srsltid=AfmBOoo3pGJDzaFCwv84ViydwtL9YSPsen5hZwqnpyhU_VJgMHT2AEIb

Credit
Cover art: Google gemini: https://gemini.google.com/app

Kitsune
Kitsune are extremely intelligent and powerful shape-shifters. They frequently harass humans by transforming into giants or other fearsome monsters. Sometimes they do this just for pranks, and sometimes for more nefarious purposes. They are skilled enough to even transform into exact likenesses of individual people, often appearing in the guise of beautiful human women in order to trick young men. On more than one occasion, this has resulted in a marriage with an unwitting human. Some kitsune even spend most of their lives in human form, adopting human names and customs, taking human jobs, and even raising families. When startled, or drunk, or careless, a patch of their magical disguise can fail—the kitsune’s true nature may be revealed by a tail, a swatch of fur, fangs, or some other vulpine feature. Souce: https://yokai.com/kitsune/?srsltid=AfmBOoqCmSufviKbvsMuSXOVhigZSKOzRk6USBZfCz_jrp3U64PSbzEx

Ho-ō
The Ho-ō (鳳凰) is the Japanese mythical phoenix, a creature of peace and prosperity. It symbolizes rebirth, immortality, and virtue, and is said to appear only during a time of peace or when a virtuous ruler is in power. Source: https://yokai.com/houou/?srsltid=AfmBOorFtJXHSw6I0SzVIIqrhUG9MTkq9OwCVkrgQ4Hrm3rQ-g1AA5_S