Synopsis: The truth behind the Ayakashi’s sea is revealed.

Mononoke has ended by now but I will continue to blog about this short series. Afterall, there aren’t many blogs out there which provide detailed summaries of this wonderful show.

As we have learned from the previous episode, Genkei’s sister was sealed in the Utsurobune fifty years ago. That same Utsurobune has now appeared in the ship’s deck.

Gennyousei comments that as he suspected, the Dragon’s Triangle is a Mononoke, born from the malice contained within the Utsurobune. Gennyousei looks at the Medicine Seller to see whether he would say something but he doesn’t. Kayo observes that the Sword of Exorcism isn’t responding. Could it be that the Utsurobune isn’t the Mononoke’s true form?

Gennyousei suggests that they should open the Utsurobune so they can give Genkei’s sister a proper funeral and thus be allowed to escape the sea. The others are frightened at the thought of it being opened. Scratching sounds continue to come from inside the ship. Kayo says that since Genkei’s sister has been trapped inside for fifty years, she must want to get out but Sougen says that no one could survive inside for that long. If she’s dead for fifteen years, her body would have rotted away. Gennyousai tells them that it’s more the reason they should open it.

Kayo asks the Medicine Seller if it’s alright to open it. He tells her that if they do not want to remain in that sea forever, they should.

Gennyousai, Kayo and Tamon attempt to remove the plank that locked the Utsurobune shut but it wouldn’t budge. Kayo asks the Medicine Seller to help but he doesn’t say anything. Suddenly, he shoots wards towards the plank. The cover to the Utsurobune opens.

The scene shifts to show the characters gathering in a circle. Goldfish are swimming in the air. The old monk narrates that he and his sister were born on a small island not far from where they are. The shadow of a strange fish with long thorny tails float by. The monk continues that he and his sister were always together as there were no other children their age in that place. He says that they got along well, perhaps even too well.

A younger Genkei now narrates. He says thay when he was fifteen, he entered the monastery. It was that island’s tradition so he and Oyou couldn’t not go against it.

The scene returns to the characters on deck. The previous scene was probably to emphasize Genkei’s story. Anyway, the characters find out that the Utsurobune is empty, with no trace of Oyou inside.

The monk’s story is then resumed. It was when he entered the monastery that he took the name Genkei. He left the island and undertook the strictest form of purification training. Many could not stand that training and dropped out but he persevered through it. He wanted to forget about his sister entirely but she though of him every day and prayed for him to become a good monk. Genkei knew that, as brother and sister, they could never be joined together. So it seems that Genkei and his sister had an incestous relationship.

Back to the deck, Genkei says that he’s sure his sister was inside the Utsurobune. The Medicine Seller comments that it seems Oyou did not become a Mononoke. Gennyousai asks what the Mononoke’s Truth is. A scale stands on its tip. The Medicine Seller explains that this time, the scale isn’t only measuring but it was sent to show the Mononoke’s Truth. The Medicine Seller then asks the old monk about the connection between his sister and the Utsurobune.

Continuing to Genkei’s story, he says that the Buddhist path strays far from the path of the flesh. He also says that he has always dreamt of being together with Oyou. Even so, he continued his training though he knew not if it was really to purify himself or merely to escape the source of his impure thoughts. Genkei says he was afraid. He wanted to be with Oyou though they could never be married but one day, Oyou would have to be married to someone else. The monk did not want it, he could not bear the though if it. Sougen comments that he did not know his master’s soul had become impure. Genkei replies that his soul has always been impure. Genkei and his sister’s relationship are now confired. The huge painting of the man embracing a mermaid now makes sense as it depicts a love that could never be.

Kayo asks why the monk’s sister boarded th Utsurobune. The monk replies that five years after he started his training, the Dragon’s Triangle had gained notoriety, even before the Ayakashi, for it claimed many ships. One autumn, more than half of the island’d ships were sunk. Genkei learned about it from his letters from home and became convinced that it was tied to his own fortunes. It was not written explicitly, however, that there would be a sacrifice to appease the sea, but he knew it was what many wished. Genkei says that he though of sacrificing himself rather than continue to live in fear of his nature. Since the people of the island wished for it, it would make it easier. They heard of his decision and built the Utsurobune.

Gennyousei then asks the monk why his sister was the one who boarded the Utsurobune. The monk says that the islanders built a very beautiful ship. As he was saying this, Hyoei, the samurai, turns and sees something that frightens him. A breeze blows and Hyoei sees a woman standing by the deck.

The monk continues that on the day whe was supposed to go, he was reunited with his sister who was now sixteen years old. The monk thought that he shouldn’t have seen her since he could not board the Utsurobune after that. He became so afraid. The monk says that Oyou mistook his fear for kindness. He knew he was unworthy of her pity but the time of the departure drew near and the islanders demanded that he be sacrificed. Oyou came to him and told him that she will go in his stead. He did not allow it but after the preparations were complete for the ship to launch, Oyou spoke to him again. She said that if she cannot be married to him then she will go unmarried to her death. She said that while he was away training, she dreamt of him every day. If it would mean the end to her unbearable suffering, she said she will gladly board the Utsurobune.

The monk could not believe that he and his sister were thinking the same. He says he should have entered with her but he was afraid. He ran away from his homeland but in his mind, he reached out for Oyou and told her that they would be together soon. However, he did not have the courage to take his life. He ran to the monastery at Fuji and completed his training there. His training has become renowned for being strict but for fifty years, he continued to think about Oyou.

Gennyousai says that after Oyou rode the Utsurobune, she became a Mononoke. The Medicine Seller says he’s wrong. He says that it was not Oyou’s malice that became the Mononoke. He then asks the old monk what became of the eye he was hiding. The Medicine Seller says that it has been watching all that time. The monk covers his right eye. The Medicine Seller explains that the monk feared Oyou and his own heart. It gave rise to more fear and soon became a dark shadow beyond human grasp. It separated from the monk and wandered the seas. The Medicine Seller then says that the Truth is the monk.

The monk, now horribly frightened, asks where Oyou is. The Medicine Seller replies that she did not become a Mononoke, but rather became one with the sea after willingly sacrifing herself. Something dark emerges from the monk’s head and the Medicine Seller readies his sword. He explains that the Umibouzu is a part of the monk that he has kept hidden and contained all that time.

The Medicine seller commands the Umibouzu to separate. A huge eye comes forth from the monk. The Medicine Seller tells the monk that killing the Mononoke would mean killing his soul. It would mean thes return of his real feelings which caused his sould to split in two, the feelings that the monk has always denied. He then asks the monk if he still would wish for it.

The monk remembers the time when Oyou told him that she will board the Utsurobune in his place. He was thinking then that he should continue to live a prosperous life as a monk. He was really glad when she offered to go. She told him that before she takes his place, there is one thing she wishes for. The monk thought that if it’s money, he doesn’t have any. Oyou then told him that she has always wanted to be with him. His sister confessed his love for him but he did not really love her.

Genkei asks the Medicine Seller to kill the Umibouzu. He releases his sword and it destroys the Mononoke.

Gennyousai, Sougen, Tamon and Kayo look at the monk now lying on the floor. Tamon says that he’ll be fine since he’s still breathing. Gennyousai doesn’t seem to think so. Kayo comments that the monk is actually quite handsome and that he seems to be smiling. Oyou calls for her brother and he says her name.

As for Hyoei, he thanks someone for everything. A tear falls from his eye. His sword breaks further and shards hit his right eye. He gasps in pain but laughs maniacally. what’s weird about this scene is that beyond that Hyoei is the Medicine Seller and another Hyoei. Who is the real samurai then?

Well, the Umibouzu arc has finally finished. It’s interesting how Genkei’s story is layered, each layer revealing more truth. The incestuous relationship between the siblings is apparent though Genkei did not really love his sister but perhaps he lusted for her. Oyou must have thought that he loved her too. In the end, the monk was revealed to have a handsome face. Could this be his real appearance but that his dark desires eventually manifested in his countenance?

In Japanese folklore, the Umibouzu is a spirit that lives in the sea. It is known to capsize boats and drag people into the sea. Literally “umibouzu” means “sea priest/monk” and the spirit is thus named after its large round head which resembles the shaven heads of Buddhist monks. In some stories, like the one told by Gennyousai, the Umibouzu asks for a laddle. When provided with one, it fills it with sea water and the ship sinks. The Umibouzu depicted in the show, however, strays from the traditional and seems to play a pun on the monk (Genkei) at sea.

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