Post by Cherri on Jan 5, 2014 7:31:53 GMT 9
Gensokyo '幻想郷' Land of Illusions
Gensokyo was originally a desolate, haunted region of Japan ages ago. The youkai that lived there began to terrorize the surrounding lands and heroic humans were sent to exterminate them. The off and on battle between humans and youkai continued on until 1885 A.D., when Gensokyo was sealed off from the increasingly scientific outside world with the creation of the Great Hakurei Barrier. There has been little contact between those societies ever since. Today, the only known gateway between Gensokyo and this world is the Hakurei Shrine, which stands in isolation along the border on distant mountains of the far east.
Although passing through the Hakurei Barrier to the Outside World is virtually impossible for anyone, it's significantly easier for Gensokyo residents to access domains of gods, demons, and spirits which aren't strictly part of Gensokyo itself. These include Higan, the Netherworld, Makai, Heaven, Senkai, the Dream World and the Underworld.
Gensokyo is populated mainly by youkai, but a decent human and rabbit population lives there as well. Some of its inhabitants went there to hide, to escape, to find shelter when no-one and nowhere else would accept them. Many of them just like the natural darkness. Creatures of all shapes and sizes inhabit the world of Gensokyo, most mentioned in Japanese legends and folklore. Humans are one of the major populations in Gensokyo. Youkai essentially make up the rest, though "youkai" tends to be an umbrella term, and essentially can be used to encompass everything non-human. Many youkai are sub-classified into other races, such as devils, magicians, vampires, fairies, kappa, oni, and many more. Many types of spirits also inhabit the world, such as Ghosts, Poltergeists, Evil spirits, Divine spirits, a number of Tsukumogami, and apparitions.
In the World of Gensokyo, the inhabitants generally lack the same common sense that people in the outside world have. People from the outside world are extremely interesting to a Gensokyo resident. Some outsiders define Gensokyo as a land where 'no-one has common sense'.
Although passing through the Hakurei Barrier to the Outside World is virtually impossible for anyone, it's significantly easier for Gensokyo residents to access domains of gods, demons, and spirits which aren't strictly part of Gensokyo itself. These include Higan, the Netherworld, Makai, Heaven, Senkai, the Dream World and the Underworld.
Gensokyo is populated mainly by youkai, but a decent human and rabbit population lives there as well. Some of its inhabitants went there to hide, to escape, to find shelter when no-one and nowhere else would accept them. Many of them just like the natural darkness. Creatures of all shapes and sizes inhabit the world of Gensokyo, most mentioned in Japanese legends and folklore. Humans are one of the major populations in Gensokyo. Youkai essentially make up the rest, though "youkai" tends to be an umbrella term, and essentially can be used to encompass everything non-human. Many youkai are sub-classified into other races, such as devils, magicians, vampires, fairies, kappa, oni, and many more. Many types of spirits also inhabit the world, such as Ghosts, Poltergeists, Evil spirits, Divine spirits, a number of Tsukumogami, and apparitions.
In the World of Gensokyo, the inhabitants generally lack the same common sense that people in the outside world have. People from the outside world are extremely interesting to a Gensokyo resident. Some outsiders define Gensokyo as a land where 'no-one has common sense'.
