#tasouken

[naoiikumo]

Personal note on how to draw Yaorochi and Tasouken

[fumitori-forced-me]

Bottle Opener Complete!

[gameringgungke]

the final boss of touhou 20 will clearly be reimu's gohei, as it will zoom out of her hands to bonk her on the head

[toskarin]

yaorochi's sprite in EMS is great. I do think the RMI and BPoHC ones look better, but they lost that "of course you don't have the tasouken" quality

[singular-yike]

Getting into Len'en Lore: Part 1

Cause I mean there's a lot of it, isn't there?

With the 10th anniversary coming up I thought it might be nice to share my personal recommended reading order(?) for all the Len'en material, for people who really want to dig into the lore.

Of course, I'm sure most folks reading this are already neck-deep into the lore swamp but hey, on the off chance that it reaches someone new, right?

Getting the information in English

To start off, you'd either have to learn Japanese, or find a good translation for the series and its associated materials. Here I'll go with English, since it's, well what I'm writing in.

The Len'en wiki, for 99% of all cases, will absolutely be where you want to go to read up on the lore and translation of Japanese material.

All of the translations on the wiki have been diligently worked on by me and other brilliant translators, and even now we revisit old translations to polish them up, so I guarantee it's quality (I suppose there's no reason to trust me, but I do promise).

Now the wiki also has links to English patches for all 4 of the shmup games, if you'd prefer to read the dialogue in-game, though I must note that they won't be the most updated version of the dialogue, and have further paraphrasing to trim things down to fit textboxes.

Still, they're more than enough for getting a basic understanding of the plot, and the visual elements of the game are not to be missed out on, so do give the games a go!

The Reading List

Now that the preamble is over with, let's actually get into my recommended order for lore-exploration. Forewarning: It's a lot, so brace yourself for some good old reading.

Major Entries in Release Order

The first place to start is of course each of the series entries in release order, though there are some curiosities about how this series tells its story through changes to the games itself, so I'll walk you through those as well.

These are separated into "story reading order" and "additional reading", the first ones are pretty much necessary to, well, understand the story.

Additional reading, on the other hand, are not as crucial to grasping the story, and will be ordered from most important to least.

They often contain little tidbits of lore tucked within, and are fun reads perhaps only for fans of JynX writing or those who really want to dig deep.

Game 1: Evanescent Existence

We of course start with the first game in the series, Len'en Mugenri ~ Evanescent Existence (often abbreviated as EE in English).

Story Reading Order

Prologue

Yabusame Houlen's story — Main Story → Bad Ending → Good Ending → Extra Story

Tsubakura Enraku's story — Main Story → Bad Ending → Good Ending → Extra Story

Official Profiles

Additional Reading

Music Room Comments

Spell Cards

Documentation Pages — omake.txt, manual.txt, readme.txt, readme.txt (trial ver.)

Note: Bad Endings Bad endings are non-canon in all of the games, in the sense that the events depicted within haven't actually occurred. They're still very useful to read as "what-if" scenarios though, since they actually provide a lot of interesting information.

Game 2: Earthen Miraculous Sword

Moving onto game #2, simple enough. Here's Len'en Tasouken ~ Earthen Miraculous Sword (abbr. EMS).

Story Reading Order

Prologue

Main Story (Any character order is fine) — Yabusame Houlen: Story → Bad Ending → Good Endings A & B — Tsubakura Enraku: Story → Bad Ending → Good Endings A & B — Kuroji Shitodo: Story → Bad Ending → Good Endings A & B

Extra Prologue

Extra Story (Any character order is fine) — Yabusame Houlen, Tsubakura Enraku, Kuroji Shitodo

Official Profiles

Note: Good Endings A and B The two endings differ only in a single textbox at the very end, so no need to read it twice, just jump to the very end to see the difference. Or honestly, since it doesn't affect the story at all, you're free to just read either one and be done with it.

Additional Reading

Music Room Comments

Spell Cards

Documentation Pages — omake.txt, manual.txt, readme.txt & readme.txt (trial ver.)

Note: On the EMS Documentation Pages EE and EMS were actually released at the same time, as a result some files are unnecessary to read. ・omake.txt: Only different in the game title ・readme.txt files: Identical in every way in the trial version The manual and readme files are however different, so give them a glace if you'd please.

Game 3: Reactivate Majestical Imperial

Onto the 3rd entry: Len'en Reiretsuden ~ Reactivate Majestical Imperial (abbr. RMI). This game first introduces the team system, so each story features 2 playable characters.

Story Reading Order

Prologue

Main Story (Any team order is fine) — Shrine: Story → Bad Ending → Good Endings A & B — Bottle Opener: Story → Bad Ending → Good Endings A & B — Slaver: Story → Bad Ending → Good Endings A & B

Extra Prologue

Extra Story (Any team order is fine) — Shrine, Bottle Opener, Slaver

Official Profiles

Note: Good Endings A & B This time, the two endings have more differences, stemming from a slightly different outcome of the main scenario. So I'd personally recommend giving both a read. Though to be fair there's no functional difference between the two in terms out final outcome. So I wouldn't say that you must read both to understand the plot or anything.

Additional Reading

Music Room Comments

Spell Cards

Documentation Pages — manual.txt & readme.txt

★ Len'en Kanji Change

It is while working on the next entry of the series that JynX decided to change the kanji "Len'en" is written with, from 鏈縁 to 連縁, changing the first character, as you can see above.

There's actually quite a bit to read about this, though since it doesn't relate to the story, I'll just mention that this happened for now, more on this later. Onto the next game!

End of Part 1

This actually got so long that I couldn't fit it all in one post, so let's end things here and move onto part 2!

[hyikal]

Here's a fun concept to write about: under what circumstance would Yaorochi or Saragimaru feel remorse?

Snakes...

Saragimaru would, likely to me, feel remorse if their actions indirectly cause Yaorochi harm or danger, seeing as a direct harm would result more in guilt and self-hatred. That's the easy answer. I also feel, in the vein of a more difficult answer, that Saragimaru would feel remorse if they didn't prevent someone from heading down the path they themself have gone down. Saragimaru does not like themself, that much is clear. To allow mini-saragimarus to run around — or worse, to cause these mini-saragimarus to exist, would likely be something they deeply regret. If Saragimaru were to end up inadvertently revealing enough about themself for someone to get attached to them in some way, they would likely feel remorseful; there is nothing for that person to get attached to, or so Saragimaru thinks.

Yaorochi is a more difficult case. Yaorochi has little consideration for others outside of Sukune and the Tasouken. They'd definitely feel remorse if something were to blemish or scratch the sword, blaming their lack of attentiveness to their object of fascination. As for Sukune, feelings are more complicated. Sukune takes care of Yaorochi who's more like an unruly pet in their dynamic, but if Sukune were to genuinely be hurt enough — on an emotional level — to truly leave Yaorochi behind, Yaorochi would definitely feel great remorse for making things turn in that fashion. Doesn't mean they'd show it, though. I suspect Yaorochi also feels some remorse for how the situation with their siblings went, though it's more in the vein of "I put myself in far more trouble than I needed to" rather than sympathy towards their dead siblings.

[anemicbloomer]

Teaser for a future PV.

[incorrect-mugenri]

[ID: An uncolored digital drawing of Adagumo no Yaorochi from the Len'en Project series. Yaorochi is drawn with simple chibi-like proportions, having a large protruding cheek and lacking arms. They hold the legendary sword Tasouken with one of their tails and look at it with large, oval eyes and tiny black pupils. There is a speech bubble coming from the Tasouken that reads, “It's me Orochi I'm the Tasouken speaking to you inside your brain. Listen to me Orochi. Leave your siblings, you don't need them”. /end ID]

[sealed-valkyria]

A fairly short Len’en shipping fanfic, Harujion x Tasouken.

[ass-blasting-bitchaloid]

i don't have any len'enniversary art right now so in the meantime have a stabby snake

[mostlydailylenen-blog]

This is the very first MS Paint Len’en I ever made: BARA TASOUKEN THIS, off all things, is what convinced me to make more of them

[evilisk-played]

[angstandhappiness]

HAH

Quote Prompt

“Psychological torture doesn’t work on me. It bounces against the existing damage and sort of rolls off. You can’t break me, because I cracked years ago. The most you can do is make me hallucinate, and that’s just a nice chance to see the family again.”

[maideninorange]

Who holds grudges the longest? Who seeks revenge? Who would kill someone over them taking the last Oreo?

(meant to send this last night as a little treat on your doorstep but fell asleep fdhjskghkf)

(Don't worry about it lol! It happens!)

Hm... Probably Orochin for the longest. Yaorochi has held onto the grudge against the humans who killed Orochi since the day they were born. Which was about 2,500 years ago, give or take. Even after regaining and restoring Tasouken (and starting to mellow out, with plenty of help from Sukune), just the mere mention of any of those humans' names is enough to send them into a frenzy. And heaven help you if they learn any have any living descendants.

Of course, plenty of Len'ens are prone to seeking revenge. Besides the aforementioned Yaorochi, Chouki and Mitori are pretty obvious examples, against Fumikado and the old Fujiwara dynasty respectively. Hibaru also holds quite the grudge against the Senris they long to take revenge on one day after all.

But there are quite a few others as well. Off the top of my head, Suzumi is very prone to it, none of their personalities having much issue slitting someone's throat if slighted. And while nowhere near as bad as Yaorochi, Saragimaru is definitely someone you don't want to see the retaliation of when they are truly, truly, enraged. They're a very patient youkai, after all, and know a thing or two about keeping tabs on people. ...Let's just say very few have lived to tell the tale of Saragimaru's vengeance. And that those very few are almost always very fortunate distant loved ones of the original aggressor too.

Now while I wouldn't say any Len'en characters would kill you for taking the last Oreo, there are quite a few who will definitely take revenge for it. Both Yabusame and Tsubakura had many a prank war start over one taking the last cookie (which Shion even gets in on sometimes, because it's fun). All three Shitodos are just as bad, if not to the point of starting prank wars. More yelling at each other. Except for Kuroji. Kuroji hands out death penalties if the other two fail to heed their claiming of the last Oreo. They're kind of a scoundrel like that (lol).

The oddest one here is Sukune. Sukune usually won't kill over an Oreo, but if they were dead set on having it and someone else took it, they will launch a manhunt to knock some sense into the thief. Even if the thief had no idea that Oreo was claimed. It just kind of depends on their whims honestly. But people have been on the receiving end of terrible revenge from them before for something like this, so maybe think twice next time you see the last Oreo there. They have Orochin wrapped around their finger, after all.

[singular-yike]

Would you mind doing an analysis on the Tasouken?

Ah of course! Let's take a closer look at the Ametsukana's magnum opus, the most powerful weapon ever created, the heirloom of a powerful clan and personal treasure of Adagumo no Yaorochi:

Aloof Sword — Tasouken

Name: Tasouken

In Tasouken (蛇叢剣), the characters respectively mean "snake" (蛇 ta), "cluster/gathering" (叢 sou) and "sword" (剣 ken).

"Snake" (蛇) is almost certainly a reference to its original owner, who is based on the monstrous serpent Yamata no Orochi; as well as their current owner, Adagumo no Yaorochi, who belongs to a group of snake-like youkai named orochi.

The second character, "cluster/gathering" (叢), is likely used in reference to one of the sword's alternate names (or rather, false names, according to Yaorochi): "Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi" (天叢雲剣), the “Heavenly Sword of Gathering Clouds”.

Backstory: Distant Past

The Tasouken was forged a long time ago by Yago Ametsukana, and was granted as an heirloom by the heavens to a powerful clan, which had control over several provinces of Ancient Japan.

Jealous and fearful of the clan leader's power, rival clans threw them a party and gave them unusually strong sake. Once they fell asleep drunk, they cut him up into pieces and stole the sword.

Throughout history, many a sword was created based on the Tasouken, and they all, Tasouken included, went by a number of names: Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi, Tsumugari-no-Tachi, and so on.

One day, the original Tasouken fell into the ocean, allowing the clan leader's descendant Adagumo no Yaorochi to retrieve it. However, its long time spent under the sea had completely rusted it, and it was but a shadow of its former self.

Mythological & Historical Inspiration

The Tasouken is based on a sword so ancient, we can trace it through history all the way into mythology: The Kusanagi.

Depicted below: An artist's impression of the Kusanagi, not the real thing, as it remains unseen.

Origins in Mythology

Kusanagi's mythological origins lie with the god Susanoo-no-Mikoto.

He was banished from the celestial realm of Takamagahara for being a terrible guest by its ruler, Susanoo's sister the sun goddess Amaterasu. He then wandered the earthly realm, where he came across an old couple and their daughter weeping together.

He asked why they were so distressed and the old man explained that he and his wife used to have eight daughters, but now only the youngest, Kushinadahime, remained.

They explained that the other daughters were taken and eaten by the monstrous eight-headed, eight-tailed serpent Yamata no Orochi (八岐大蛇). In response, Susanoo offered to slay the beast for them in return for Kushinada's hand in marriage.

Susanoo instructed the old couple to brew a saké distilled many times over and to build a gate with eight holes in it, each leading to a saké dish. When Yamata no Orochi arrived, it drank from the dishes and felt drunk asleep, allowing Susanoo to slay it.

Depicted below: Susanoo (cetnre) slaying Yamata-no-Orochi (bottom-right), saving Kushinadahime (top-left)

As Susanoo was cutting one of the serpent's tails, he found within it a sword, offering it up to Amaterasu as an apology, this was the Kusanagi. This story is, of course, very heavily referenced in the Tasouken's own story.

Additionally, the false names given to the Tasouken and its imitations in its official profile are also based on this tale:

In the Kojiki, it is said to be originally named “Tsumukari no Tachi” (都牟刈の大刀), later named "Kusanagi no Tachi" (草那芸の大刀)

In the Nihon Shoki, it is originally named "Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi" (天叢雲剣), the “Heavenly Sword of Gathering Clouds”

In both, it is later instead called "Kusanagi no Tsurugi" (草薙剣), "Grass-cutting sword" when the hero Yamato Takeru uses it to cut down burning grass in order to save his own life

According to the legends, Amaterasu later grants the sword to her grandson, the god Ninigi-no-Mikoto, to take with him down to earth as its new ruler. Ninigi would later sire the ancestors to the imperial Japanese family.

Ninigi was also granted the mirror Yata no Kagami and the bead Yasakani no Magatama. Along with the sword, they form the three imperial regalia of Japan, symbols of the Emperor's authority over Japan as the divine descendants of Amaterasu.

From Legends to History: The Second Sword

According to the Kogo Shūi, the descendants of the god Ame-no-Mahitotsu-no-Kami, on whom Yago Ametsukana is based, forged another Kusanagi during the reign of the legendary Emperor Sujin.

It is said that this copy's divine might matched that of the original, and that it is kept alongside the Emperors at their palaces in order to protect them. The latter point we do have historical evidence for.

From Legends to History: Enshrinement at the Atsuta Shrine

The original Kusanagi would also appear once last time in the legends as the sword of the hero Yamato Takeru, gifted to him by his aunt, who worked as the saiō shrine maiden at the Ise Grand Shrine, where the sword was kept.

Most notably, Yamato Takeru used the sword to mow down the burning grass around him, which his enemies had lit in an attempt to kill him. This is perhaps where we get the Tasouken's association with mowing things down from.

Depicted below: Yamato Takeru using the Kusanagi to mow down burning grass.

Yamato Takeru would end up leaving the sword with his wife prior to his final expedition, on which he passed away. After this, she brought the sword not back to the Ise Grand Shrine, but established a new shrine where the sword would be enshrined: The Atsuta Shrine.

This reconciles the legends with history, as our earliest records of the Kusanagi is that of it being enshrined at the Atsuta Shrine.

Alleged Losses Throughout History: The Original Kusanagi

The original Kusanagi enshrined at the Atsuta Shrine, according to its official statements, remains safely at the shrine until this very day.

Below: The Atsuta Shrine's prayer hall.

However, the shrine's records also note that the entire shrine had burnt down once, gotten captured by rivalling factions multiple times and that there had been an attempt at stealing the sword.

The last time the sword was officially seen was when the shrine was entirely renovated during the Edo period, under the rule of shōgun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi (1646-1709), by the priests who took a look at it when renovating the box it was kept in.

In the Meiji era, an imperial messenger was sent to investigate the status of the Kusanagi at the Atsuta Shrine. However, the Chancellor of the Realm at the time, Sanjō Sanetomi, put in an order to cease the investigation right as the box was to be opened.

All these events combine to make the shrine's claims that the very Kusanagi from the legends sit unchanged in the shrine very dubious. However, due to its sacred status, it is never displayed, and the truth remains obscured.

Alleged Losses Throughout History: The Second Kusanagi

The second Kusanagi is said to also have been lost, with tales ranging from theft to forgery to loss at sea explaining how this copy of Kusanagi was lost.

Historians now believe that there were likely multiple swords held to be this second Kusanagi, and is why it is said to have been lost so many times in so many ways.

This, combined with the dubious status of the Kusanagi at the Atsuta Shrine, makes many people believe that the real Kusanagi and its legendarily equal replica had already been long lost, its true whereabouts lost to time.

Most famously, and relevant to us, it is said to have sunk into the sea during the historical Battle of Dan-no-ura (1185), found between the Taira and Minamoto clans over control of the Emperor.

In the battle, the Taira were cornered by the Minamoto, upon which the Taira attempted to throw the imperial regalia into the sea to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.

This event is the very one referenced in the Tasouken's retrieval by Yaorochi. Now that the Tasouken's history is recounted, we can finally take a look at the future Len'en had painted for it.

The Earthen Miraculous Sword

Now in Mugenri, Yaorochi came across a replica of the Tasouken made of clay. To revive the sword, they tricked Sukune Katano, the replica's creator, into giving them the replica, and into helping them transfer the Tasouken's soul into the replica.

They had Sukune build a giant ritual chamber, which served as a vessel to ensure that the sword's power would not escape during its transferral into the replica.

Depicted below: The haniwa-shaped ritual chamber in the Unlost Woods, where the transferral ritual took place.

Once preparations were complete, Yaorochi ordered Sukune to stand guard outside and began.

Thrusting both the Tasouken and its clay replica into the ground, Yaorochi began transferring its soul into the replica, upon which the rusted Tasouken immediately crumbled into dust.

The ritual went on for several days, and when it was finally complete, Yaorochi simply drew out the clay sword and lightly tapped the ground with its blade.

The clay crumbled away to reveal the steel of the sword within, the Tasouken has returned. Filled with glee, Yaorochi headed towards the roof to await their "guests".

During the fight, the Tasouken's spirit, perhaps enhanced by the superb vessel Sukune had created, awakened, if only briefly. However, it soon subsided and has not been heard from since.

This was perhaps thanks to a magical inscription inscribed onto it by Adagumo no Saragimaru, designed to suppress its power and prevent it from performing its regular function.

Tasouken Mysteries

So that covers the Tasouken's history, both as a legendary artefact from our reality and its true story as told in Len'en. However, there are still many more mysteries related to it, here I'll mention a few:

Embodiment of the Armchair Theory

In BPoHC, Yago explains that the Tasouken is "incomplete", as the sword's true power cannot be properly wielded by anyone, not human, youkai nor god.

What Saragimaru Knows

Despite being impossible to be properly wielded, even according to its own creator, Saragimaru claims to know how to use it. However, this was never elaborated upon.

Additionally, it's unknown what "regular function" Saragimaru sealed away, although I personally believe it's related to its ability to "sever relations", as Yaorochi seems to be doing quite well with Sukune now.

Curiously, Suzumi Kuzu seems to be searching for information on how to use the Tasouken as well, although to no avail.

And that concludes this post on the Tasouken!

I hope I didn't go too far with the history and mythology, but I think this really highlights how the Adagumo's and the Tasouken's story gets muddled and confused with and throughout history.

Especially in the Tasouken's case, you can really see the impact it had by tracing its mythology and history in both our reality and in Len'en.

Like how Len'en reframes the various names and potential replicas of the Kusanagi as derivatives attempting to reach the original's splendour, when all who knew the original had been lost to time. (Consider revisiting the Tasouken's official profile sometime it's really good)

Anywho, that's enough rambling, this is long enough as is. As usual, I hope you enjoyed~ :)

[rabbit-of-mugenri]

Got anything on Yaorochi and/or Saragimaru?

Ah yes, the Adagumo's. Alongside the Shitodo's and the Fujiwara's, the Adagumo's are just as dysfunctional. Hell, probably even more so, given that most of the members are dead.

Who do we have left? Yaorochi, the oldest, and Saragimaru, the youngest. As the oldest, Yaorochi had the duty to look after their younger siblings. And they failed, becoming laser-focused on the Tasouken.

You'd expect Saragimaru, having watched Yaorochi's inaction lead to the death of their other siblings, would leave them in disgust. And you'd be right, to an extent.

That's how Saragimaru felt about Yaorochi, at first. They felt confused, betrayed, sad. Angry. Deep down, there's still a part of them that feels this way.

Perhaps that's why they throw themselves full force into the role of Yaorochi's protector. As a way to repent for such awful feelings. After all, Yaorochi is the only family they have left. If they lost them...if they lost them...

They care for them — they don't — they abandoned them — they're the only family they have left — they want to be alone — they don't want to be alone.