Part 35

The "Mekkouju" could best be translated as the "Tree of Destruction".

Ryuhei has a lot of barks: "Open your eyes!"; "Wake up!"; "I must tell the academic society about this."; "I'm not some kind of monster."; "Where could the treasure be?"

VIDEOS

063 +15:31 Kiyota Akiko ---- Primary --- VIDDLER / GAMEVEE (Archives: 80, 81, 82)
064 +15:31 Kifune Ikuko ---- Movie ----- VIDDLER / GAMEVEE (Archives: None)


ARCHIVES

080


(FROM GAMEFAQS)

July 29
Decided to remove Yamijima artefact B-54 from my records of the digs. Unearthed eastern grid the artefact differs from the other relics. To date, I've been unable to determine the materials, the period, the style or any other identifying characteristics. Could it be a modern piece of work that somehow got mixed in with other relics? Or is it some sort of prank or hoax? At this point, I can't accept this piece as an official artefact of the dig.

July 30
Kanae's resemblance to my wife is uncanny. Even my son, Shu, who's never seen his mother seems taken by her. I know this is all wrong, but I can't bring myself to do anything about the situation.

July 31
Somebody smashed the rear window again. How can they be so blinded by their customs? Maybe this is the only way they can express their anger at the developers who've polluted their waters. I was never accepted even from the very first day I arrived on this island. The hatred that the islanders feel towards outsiders is something that will probably never change in the years to come.



Photo of Mikami Ryuhei's late wife, found between the pages of his notebook.

081


Mekkouju
People born on the island are presented with branches of the holy tree, called the "Mekkouju". The name of each newborn is etched on his or her own branch during an unusual endowment ceremony.
According to ancient texts, the body of the Mekouju tree is not corporeal, but the branches can be found in this world. Travel up Mt. Shinari in search of these branches is referred to as "The Mekkouju Journey". It seems that for many generations it has been the duty of the head of the Ohta family to find and present these branches to the infants.
It is thought that the Mekkouju faith is of a kind with many folk beliefs in which a holy tree is capable of purging evil.

082


Treasure hunting with Dad.

Mikami Shu, Age 4