Gensokyo

Gensokyo is populated by youkai, humans, and animals.

Gensokyo, the area encompassed by the Great Hakurei Barrier, is a landlocked territory comprised mainly of forested mountains. Notable geographic features include the Youkai Mountain with communities of kappa at its base, tengu at its peak, and the Moriya Shrine at a lake near the top; the Forest of Magic; the Bamboo Forest of the Lost where Eientei is located; the Misty Lake next to the Scarlet Devil Mansion; the Human Village and adjacent Myouren Temple, which are assumed to be in a fertile valley; the Sanzu River separating Gensokyo from Higan; and the Hakurei Shrine at the east of Gensokyo.

Although passing through the Hakurei Barrier to the Outside World is normally impossible for weaker people, stronger entities are known to be able to pass through. It is also significantly easier for Gensokyo denizens to access domains of gods, demons, and spirits which are not strictly part of Gensokyo itself. These include Higan, the Netherworld, Makai, Heaven, Senkai and the Underworld.

The Youkai Mountain is a rocky landform covered by a large expanse of forest named The Great Youkai Forest at its foot, with waterfalls and rivers flowing from the lakes at the mountain top. It is known to have been a highly active volcano in the past, but it has been a long time since it last erupted.[2] Smoke is still seen rising from the mountain from time to time. Commonly, when someone says “The mountain” (山 yama), it usually refers to the Youkai Mountain.

It has served as the home of youkai since long before the time of man and is a high threat to humans.[3] Consisting of a close-knit societies of kappa and tengu, the mountain is closed off from outsiders and its inhabitants lead peaceful communal lives.[3] Outsiders that attempt to climb the mountain, youkai or human, are chased out relentlessly by the tengu patrols. Because no outsiders are allowed, and because the kappa and tengu keep their secrets so close, many things about the mountain remain a mystery to other dwellers of Gensokyo.[3] Additionally, the ruins on the western side of the mountain are inaccessible to both humans and youkai.[4] Recently,[5] the mountain has become more open to humans with the construction of the Moriya Ropeway, which allows passengers to travel to the Moriya Shrine and back without passing through tengu lands.

There are rumours stating that there exists a large hollow cavity within the mountain, where a futuristic utopia just like the Outside World is being built, but the tengu’s newspapers may not be telling the truth. The sun’s light shines all day long there, and an automated factory produces the necessary items to meet the needs of everyday life, and the youkai drink sake while reading the newspaper and discussing the news, living blissfully. Within this hollow cavity, the forbidden act of opening a hole that connects to the outside world through the boundary is perpetrated, so other humans and youkai are not allowed to enter.

The Forest of Magic is location name in Gensokyo that’s a focal point for all things evil, ominous and repulsive, located not far from the Human Village. It’s the home to both Marisa Kirisame and Alice Margatroid.

Since Gensokyo isn’t a huge place, if you say “forest” (森 Mori), it refers to the Forest of Magic. It’s called the “Forest of Magic” because of the wide number of hallucinogenic mushrooms that grow here. Many magicians live in this forest for the sake of increasing their magical powers with these hallucinogenic mushrooms. The forest has areas of ground where the sun never shines, thus making them dark and damp for mushrooms to endlessly grow there.

It’s a place whose true nature is clouded by strange rumours and weird happenstance. The forest’s environment is extremely hazardous to both humans and youkai and both kinds typically also find the place uncomfortable. The spores of monstrous mushrooms dance about in mid-air and a normal human’s health would worsen simply by breathing here, putting aside the human-eating plants and inevitable, horrible misfortune that will surely befall all who even think of trespassing into the forest. However, if one could stand the noxious gases that the monstrous mushrooms emit, then it would be both a safe and secretive place to seclude oneself, or a fairly nice place to live for people who don’t like to be disturbed.

The Bamboo Forest of the Lost (迷いの竹林 Mayoi no Chikurin) is said to be located in the opposite direction to the Youkai Mountain when looking out from the Human Village. Legend has it that the forest was not originally a part of Gensokyo, but was washed over to Gensokyo by a big tsunami. Long long ago, the forest was known as Takakusa Commandery (高草郡 Takakusa Gun, literally “Tall Grass Commandery”, an abolished administrative region in Inaba province in real life, now Tottori prefecture).[1] Inside of it lies the mansion Eientei.

Given the nature of the forest, it is very easy to get lost. There are no clearings, the ground is mostly flat & indistinguishable and the bamboos grow quickly resulting in a constant change of scenery.

Fujiwara no Mokou lives here assisting any people who get lost, while Tewi Inaba and other rabbits can be seen wandering in the forest.

Eientei (永遠亭 lit. “House of Eternity”) is the name of a large, old-fashioned Japanese mansion hidden deep within the Bamboo Forest of the Lost. It has hallways that lead out into the far reaches of the sky. It was created by Eirin Yagokoro for Kaguya Houraisan.[1]

Eientei is currently occupied by a large group. Kaguya Houraisan and Eirin Yagokoro have been hiding there since their exile from the Moon. Other occupants include rabbits, lots of them, all under the command of Tewi Inaba and Reisen Udongein Inaba, who protect Kaguya and Eirin from intruders.

It is unknown to the majority of Gensokyo that the residents of Eientei are from the moon.[2] Eientei’s residents[3] and the few nonresidents who do know are keeping it a secret.[4] Youkai are apparently aware that Reisen is from the Moon (who proclaims it)[5], but the humans from the Human Village may not be.[6] The average human and youkai know Kaguya as the princess of Eientei and its mistress.

Every month on the night of the full moon, the residents of Eientei hold a Moon Festival (例月祭 Reigetsusai), offering mochi with medicinal herbs pounded into them. Making mochi is thus the main occupation of the Earth rabbits. Eientei has also hosted a lunar expo at least twice, showcasing objects from the Moon. Items include the American flag placed on the moon (confiscated from the Three Fairies of Light),[7] moon rocks, an ox cart used to be able to fly long ago (but now is pulled by an actual ox), a kimono that shines, a lunar rover and many other relics.[8]

Both humans and youkai may come to Eientei for Eirin’s medical services. Fujiwara no Mokou often provides escort through the Bamboo Forest of the Lost. In Alternative Facts in Eastern Utopia, Eientei group’s service providing medicines is called “Hourai Pharmacy”.

The Misty Lake (霧の湖 Kiri no Mizuumi) is a large lake located at the foot of the Youkai Mountain. Many fairies and youkai alike appear to gather here, especially during the summertime, given the abundant water. The lake and its environs appear to be the home of Cirno, Daiyousei and Wakasagihime.

Commonly, when someone says “The lake” (湖 mizuumi), it usually refers to the Misty Lake. The water in the lake comes from a river originating from the Youkai Mountain. Near by the lake is the Scarlet Devil Mansion, which is built on a ridge next to the lake itself, rather than on an island. At and around noon each day, a strange mist envelops the entire lake, making it difficult to see anything (hence the origin of the name). The origin of this mist is unknown, but it appears that because of the bad visibility, the lake isn’t as big as one would think – it would take about an hour to walk the full length around the river[1], so one can estimate the circumference to be about 3.1 miles (5 km).

Extremely large monster fish live in the lake as well, and can occasionally be caught on nights of the new moon. This has led to the lake being popular amongst anglers who aim to catch such a fish. These fish range from 2 to 5 fathoms (in essence up to 9 meters), with the largest on recording as 10 fathoms (this is believed to be an exaggeration).

A Master of the Lake also lives there. However, his house is so deep down that only fish or amphibians may dive down there.[2]

The Scarlet Devil Mansion (紅魔館 Koumakan), also referred to as the Scarlet Manor or Scarlet Mansion, is a European-style mansion owned by Remilia Scarlet. It is located on a ridge on the edge of the Misty Lake. From the outside, there are scarlet-colored windows, but there aren’t many windows because of the nature of its vampire residents. There are plenty of rooms without windows at all, too. Through the dialogue of Touhou Hisoutensoku and multiple literary works, it can be said that the entrance to the mansion is usually not fully closed. There is a clock tower on the roof, but the bell on it only rings at night.[citation needed].

The inside of the mansion is much larger than is apparent from the outside. This is due to Sakuya Izayoi’s ability to manipulate time and space.

The mansion’s owner is Remilia Scarlet. Patchouli Knowledge, a friend of hers, resides in the library, while Remilia’s sister, Flandre Scarlet, is not allowed to leave the mansion. Hong Meiling acts as the gatekeeper, but is frequently overpowered by many characters. Some time after the events of Ten Desires, a number of hofgoblins were hired on as additional help.[1]

Many fairies are employed by Remilia Scarlet as Fairy Maids in order to clean the mansion, and they’re overseen by the head maid, Sakuya Izayoi. The maids don’t appear to be very useful, however, since they are just fairies. According to an advertisement in Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red (Cirno’s interview), maids are provided with three meals a day and uniforms, but no paid vacations, breaks, or afternoon naps. However, unofficially (in terms of the mansion’s policies), the fairy maids are free to do as they please[2], and another employee gatekeeper Meiling is known to take afternoon “siestas” (which is either close enough to a nap, or an excuse to cover up that it is an actual nap). The advert shows the mansion is open to hiring other beings as maids, and Sakuya has indicated in the vampire team ending in Imperishable Night that if she were to train a successor, it would be human, but currently Sakuya is the only human maid at the mansion.[2] The maids are free to leave and return to regain their posts, but despite the fickle nature of the mistress, their lives are comfortable and most end up staying.[2]

The magic library in the mansion’s basement is said to be the largest in Gensokyo, but as it is not open to the general public, it’s relatively unknown what kinds of books are in there.[3] Hieda no Akyuu suggests that there are very rare magic books, and there are also many books from the Outside World. Certainly, unconfirmed to Akyuu, at least some books are in Esperanto, some were written by Patchouli, and some are dangerous to even touch.[4][5][6] Remilia created a swimming pool in the library after the events of Silent Sinner in Blue, but this is not intended to be a permanent fixture.[7] Koakuma resides here and serves Patchouli. It is unknown if she’s the only little devil at the mansion, or if there are others.

Events are quite commonly held at the mansion, but as there is usually no previous notice of them, the residents are the only ones that attend. Various events are depicted in Strange and Bright Nature Deity, and it seems that Marisa Kirisame is a frequent visitor. One exception was when the mansion held a publicity event during Silent Sinner in Blue to promote Remilia’s plan to fly to the Moon in the Moon Rocket, inviting pretty much everyone from the main cast of characters. The incident in Embodiment of Scarlet Devil in 2003 made the mansion well-known to humans,[8] and because of this, many characters throughout the Touhou Project will visit here.

The Human Village (人間の里 Ningen no Sato) is where most of Gensokyo’s humans live. Even though some youkai also visit here to shop, this is the safest place in all of Gensokyo to live. Humans from the outside world that stumble into Gensokyo and decide to stay often have no choice but to live here as they would be unable to handle the youkai outside the village. The village itself has a powerful protector in Keine Kamishirasawa, who is capable of “hiding” the history of the village’s existence for its protection.

Among the people living at the village are Keine Kamishirasawa and Hieda no Akyuu. The village has an as of yet unnamed leader, a florist, a woodcutter, a teahouse, a tofu shop, youkai exterminators, and more.[1] There’s also the Kirisame-ya second-hand shop here which is owned by Marisa’s father. Some stores stay open late into the night to cater exclusively to youkai[2].

Most of the furniture in the Scarlet Devil Mansion was made by humans in this village, and Sakuya Izayoi comes to shop often. Yuuka Kazami has come to shop at the flower shop on at least one occasion. Ran Yakumo is a frequent customer of the village tofu shop, and also checks up on the village occasionally for her master Yukari Yakumo. Reisen Udongein Inaba travels to the village to sell medicine, though she is forced to do so in human disguise.[3] It is said that Medicine Melancholy once tried to spread poison across the village. Kogasa Tatara is often sighted in the village, where she is disliked by adults but loved by children (to her dismay).

A number of households possess resident zashiki-warashi, who are adored by humans but secretly act as spies for the other youkai. They were briefly replaced by hofgoblins during the events of Wild and Horned Hermit, who failed to achieve the same level of popularity.

Myouren Temple was constructed near the village after the events of Undefined Fantastic Object.

According to Sanae Kochiya, the village has a relatively central geographical location in Gensokyo.

The Myouren Temple (命蓮寺 Myourenji), also the Palanquin Ship (聖輦船 Seirensen) or Treasure Ship Above the Clouds (雲上の宝船 Unjō no Takarabune), was originally a ship capable of sailing through the sky, where it was landed directly on top of the Hall of Dreams’ Great Mausoleum and renovated into a temple. In its original ship form, it was capable of traveling to Makai. The temple can still transform back into its ship form whenever Byakuren Hijiri chooses to.

Palanquin Ship was created by Byakuren Hijiri and given to Minamitsu Murasa in order to win over her trust. The design itself is based on the ship that Minamitsu died on. It was eventually buried into the Underworld after Byakuren was sealed away by humans, but popped up on the surface of Gensokyo during the events of Subterranean Animism. It was temporarily used as a simple granary, but was later renovated into a temple which was named after Byakuren’s brother, Myouren Hijiri.

The temple was purposely landed bang above the Hall of Dreams’ Great Mausoleum so that Byakuren could keep an eye on the seal on Toyosatomimi no Miko; as a saint of humans, it’s clear the two would naturally be at odds. Ironically, this choice ended up being exactly why the seal was broken in the first place. After the intervention of the main character in the events of Ten Desires, the now-revived “residents” of the Mausoleum appear to have been pacified for the moment.

The Sanzu River (三途の河 Sanzu no Kawa, literally “River of Three Paths”, also in British English translation River Sanzu) is the mist-shrouded river that dead souls must cross in order to reach Higan, where they will await judgment. Part of the riverbank is accessible from Gensokyo, even though the river’s source, mouth and opposite bank lie outside it. Only the dead can cross the river on a shinigami’s boat if they can afford to pay; everything except shinigami and their boats will sink. The river is populated by the phantoms of extinct marine life, including those from prehistoric times.

Komachi Onozuka may be seen ferrying souls here when she isn’t slacking off. In Japanese Buddhist tradition, the Sanzu is said to have three crossings which vary in perilousness depending on the amount of sin a soul committed during his or her lifetime (hence the name). However, this concept is not used in Touhou: instead, Komachi uses her power of distance manipulation to vary the width of the river according to the souls’ sinfulness.

Sai no Kawara (賽の河原, “riverbank of sai no kami”, sometimes colloquially termed “Children’s Limbo” in English) is a stretch of stone-covered riverbank where the souls of deceased newborns reside. In Japanese folklore, the children’s spirits stack stone towers as a memorial for their parents. They are routinely forced to start over when small oni knock the towers over, but are eventually saved by Jizo Bosatsu, who chases the oni away.

Higan (彼岸) is the far side of the Sanzu River, where deceased souls wait for their turn to be judged by the Yama. As a Pure Land, it has no weather, no seasons, and no night and day– just an endless flower garden with a gentle warmth. It is strictly not part of Gensokyo.

Souls of the deceased will wait at the Shigan (此岸) (the shore of the living world) of the Sanzu River for a Shinigami to ferry them one at a time. As one gets to the Higan side, there is nothing to do but silently wait and contemplate death until the Yama is ready to pass judgement. The yama, who can see the souls’ past, will judge whether they should go to the Netherworld, Heaven, Hell, or be reincarnated. If it’s Hell, then the soul will fall outside the cycle of reincarnation temporarily.

The word “Higan” is composed of the kanji for that or over there (彼) and shore (岸), so its literal meaning is “that shore” or “the shore on the other side”. The Shigan (此岸), which is located on the opposite end to the Higan, can literally mean this shore or the shore on this side as well. Both of these term originate in Japanese Buddhism.

The Hakurei Shrine (博麗神社 Hakurei Jinja) is a small, dilapidated Shinto shrine located on the Great Hakurei Barrier on the eastern edge of Gensokyo[1]. It’s a key location that has appeared in many of the official games’ prologues, stages, in character endings and in other official literature by ZUN. It’s the home of the Touhou Project’s protagonist: Reimu Hakurei.

The shrine has become a popular hangout for all sorts of youkai who Reimu and company defeat in the course of the games. However, because of this, very few (normal) humans come to the shrine, and even fewer (if any at all) leave donations, but because it is a place where human faith gathers, Aunn Komano tends to guard the place without being asked.

The Hakurei Shrine was once the only shrine in Gensokyo, but the Moriya Shrine has since settled on the Youkai Mountain. Also adding to religious competition is the Myouren Temple and the Hall of Dreams’ Great Mausoleum; the former is a Buddhist temple led by Byakuren Hijiri and the latter is held by Taoists run by Toyosatomimi no Miko‎.

From Wild and Horned Hermit chapter 8, it’s known that there is money scattered around the shrine. Although the ones found by Reimu may have been planted there by the Unnamed Kuda-gitsune. It’s later seen that like all shrines, the Hakurei Shrine offers omamori. Although with the Hakurei Shrine’s god in question, it’s unknown if the omamori would even provide anyone with divine power.

Structurally, the shrine is old-fashioned and offers poor protection from the cold.[9] The grove of cherry trees behind the shrine is a particularly popular spot for flower viewing in spring.

There’s a large donation box for visitors to leave money in, but since visitors are scarce, it’s usually empty.[10] The Yin-Yang Orb, a powerful weapon usable only by blood members of the Hakurei clan, is also kept here. It was said in the PC-98 that the orb is the greatest treasure of the shrine.

Since the events of Mountain of Faith, Reimu has constructed a small shrine (about the size of a birdhouse) to Kanako Yasaka and Suwako Moriya at the edge of the Hakurei Shrine’s grounds in an attempt to gather more faith. Despite its extremely small size, it does get an occasional visitor from the Human Village. Its blessings include a plentiful harvest and luck in danmaku battle.[11]

The shrine exists on the Great Hakurei Barrier between the outside world and Gensokyo, but is located in neither.[12] In fact, the shrine’s only real purpose these days is to maintain the barrier that separates both worlds.[13] It’s simultaneously accessible from both sides, but some unknown circumstances must be met in order to travel from one side to the other. In addition, though the shrine exists on both sides of the border, the shrine reachable from the outside world is allegedly old and uninhabited,[14] as far as those in Gensokyo know.[15]

Physically, the shrine is high in the mountains to the east from which all of Gensokyo is visible.[16] The path up from the Human Village is not difficult except in heavy snow, and even then the trip doesn’t take more than an hour on foot.[17] Its location in the outside world is unknown (besides being in Japan), but it’s near a city.[18]

Because it’s located on the barrier, items from the outside world are known to sometimes appear near the shrine. Their use and purpose cannot usually be understood by the residents of Gensokyo, yet these items are still wondrous to both youkai and humans. Humans from beyond the border are also known to appear from time to time. As a result of these appearances, youkai and collectors keep a close eye on the shrine.[19]

The following characters are residents of the Hakurei Shrine:

The Netherworld (冥界 Meikai, lit. Dark World) is the land where ghosts and phantoms reside after death. After a phantom has been judged by the Yama, they’ll either go to Hell, Heaven or to the Netherworld. The world frequently appears in various Touhou Project games and Manga, making it an important location.

The threat level in the Netherworld is ‘high’ and encounterable youkai include phantoms, ghosts and other types of spirits. After death, humans pass through the Road of Liminality, cross over the Sanzu River, and receive the Yama’s judgement. Depending on the severity of their crimes, they are sent to either Hell, Heaven, or the Netherworld. Amongst these, the Netherworld is where the dead who aren’t deemed sinful enough to be sent to Hell spend their time as phantoms, until they achieve Nirvana, and thus become able to enter Heaven, or reincarnate.

Different from the desolate Hell, the Netherworld is calm, though it has various seasons. It is filled with beautiful cherry blossoms in spring, and dyed with beautiful red leaves in autumn. The Netherworld is a notable place for people in the know for their cherry blossom viewing parties. The animals here are also dead, so they fly in the sky silently and splendidly. Like the Lunar Capital, it is a Pure Land where things do not change or decay with time[1]; things from the Netherworld which seem old were simply made that way for aesthetic reasons[2].

Hakugyokurou, located in the Netherworld, is where two notable Touhou characters live: Youmu Konpaku and Yuyuko Saigyouji. The former is a gardener and the latter is the “princess” of the land. The manor is a beautiful structure, surrounded by walls and stairs using designs from the continent, and has a Japanese-style residence and Zen garden at its highest level. The entrance to the manor is a very long stairway called “Hakugyokurou’s Stairway” (白玉楼階段 Hakugyokurou Kaidan).

Even though the dead comprise most of the Netherworld’s inhabitants, the Netherworld is a distinct part of Gensokyo. However, travelling between the two is restricted by a gate above the clouds, sealed by the Barrier of Life & Death. During the main events of Perfect Cherry Blossom, a hole opened in the barrier between the Netherworld and Gensokyo, and it has become easier to travel between them. This is because the barrier was weakened by Yuyuko Saigyouji, making it possible to simply fly over the gate, and Reimu Hakurei (in her scenario) was able to destroy it. Afterwards, Yukari Yakumo was asked to repair the damage, but apparently never got around to it, as the boundary continues to thin through the summer of Imperishable Night.

Makai (魔界, lit. “Demon World”) is a world that exists separate from Gensokyo. In the past works of PC-98, it, along with all the beings that live here, were created by Shinki. It is not to be confused with Hell (地獄 jigoku) as it is not an afterlife realm that phantoms go to after being judged by the yama, but merely a place where demons and strong youkai live.

Makai has a barrier that makes it difficult to immigrate across; the Palanquin Ship, Byakuren Hijiri and Nue Houjuu are the only known thus far to pass it. It is an unstable land with a harsh and unearthly nature that makes it difficult to survive in,[5] but youkai and some humans live and/or train their powers here regardless.[5] It is filled with a toxic miasma that’s physically harmful that makes it impossible to get to Makai, but it strengthens magical spells and seals, and it can also make learning magic easier for a human.[6][7] Apart from Byakuren formerly, no known character from the Windows era lives here. There is no history about this place, and it is unknown where it’s located.

Much of Makai’s terrain is a deep red color. Various items also exists that cannot be found in Gensokyo, such as a magic stone, “Makai mushrooms”, and a stand that sells “Makai crackers”.[8] Many materials in Makai contain their own will, an example being the materials Byakuren used to make her sutra scroll, which the scroll and other materials is considered “cursed” by the people of Gensokyo.[9] Sakuya Izayoi suggests that Makai is scarier than Hell,[10] and even Reimu Hakurei finds it creepy.[11] It was mentioned that there’s a sub-location called Hokkai that is, as Minamitsu Murasa puts it, in “a corner of the infinite area of Makai”.[12] No demons were actually presented in the modern era, but they were stated to live here.[5] There are also dark-coloured fairies and sunflower fairies that lurk around in Makai that blend in to the dark scene, as well as flying yin-yangs.

Marisa Kirisame has been given special permission to use Byakuren’s Palanquin Ship to travel to and from Makai whenever she wants, but this has yet to happen.[8]

Heaven (天界 Tenkai, lit. Celestial World) is a collection of separate realms existing above the Earth. One of them, Bhavaagra (有頂天 Uchouten, lit. Summit of the existent world), is the setting of most final battles in Scarlet Weather Rhapsody, and can be reached by climbing the Youkai Mountain. Bhavaagra is also where Tenshi Hinanawi and her family live. Suika Ibuki may occasionally be seen there as well.

Those who have achieved nirvana in the cycle of reincarnation or are judged worthy by the Yama may ascend to Heaven. In recent times, access via nirvana has been put on hold, with the official statement from Heaven being that the realm has become overcrowded and can no longer hold any more people.[1][2] However, Yukari Yakumo has stated that this a lie, and that there is still plenty of free space in Heaven.[3]

Celestials, Angels, and other heavenly beings reside there. These residents generally live carefree lives filled with fishing, song, dance, sake, and peaches. They may also find enjoyment in viewing events that unfold on the Earth.

Senkai (仙界, hermit world) is a sealed secret world suited for hermits, which even Gensokyo did not know of before the events of Ten Desires. According to Toyosatomimi no Miko during the first part of a symposium between her, Kanako Yasaka and Byakuren Hijiri, it’s a space that Miko had created, herself. A location where nobody else can bother someone is well-suited for hermits.

Little is known about the geography of Senkai. It’s accessed via the principle that any crack contains limitless space, which connects the world to any other location allowing it to be accessed from anywhere. For example, Toyosatomimi no Miko showed Reimu Hakurei a way to get to it by pointing to a crack in the ground. Reimu sarcastically replied by asking if Miko was an ant. The residence isn’t off-limits to those seeking shelter from youkai, but the hidden nature of the entrance(s) tends to make that option not particularly viable.[2]

Both Reimu and Sanae’s endings in Ten Desires which mention Senkai explicitly state that Miko and “her followers”/”the rest” moved to Senkai, and Miko refers to it as “our home” to Reimu. Miko and her followers built a dojo suited for hermits in Senkai after the events of Ten Desires to be their home. This building was described by Reimu Hakurei in the extra stage backstory as pretty big and shiny. It’s not yet explicitly confirmed if Senkai is their actual canon action after Ten Desires however, but no other information contradicts it. Symposium of Post-mysticism has Miko describing her current residence as a special location outside of Gensokyo suitable for hermits, which seems to match Senkai’s description.

Symposium of Post-mysticism states that Seiga isn’t particularly close to Miko and Futo, but does not state if she shares their residence. In page 23 of Forbidden Scrollery Chapter 3, Reimu and Marisa are shown briefly visiting Seiga, Futo, and a third person who is likely Yoshika (from what little you can see of her) in a building, but it is not shown where this location is. There aren’t even any pointer-indicators to show where it is on the “map” on the page, unlike the Scarlet Devil Mansion or the Human Village.

As of Hopeless Masquerade, Miko has constructed a Taoist temple within Senkai known as the Divine Spirit Mausoleum (神霊廟). It welcomes humans aspiring to become hermits, but most of them fail the necessary training. It shares its name with the area in Stage 6 of Ten Desires, but it is unknown if they are intended to be one and the same.

Kasen Ibaraki’s home lies somewhere deep within the mountain close by the Moriya Shrine, hidden within her own climate-controlled version of Senkai.[3] It is described in Wild and Horned Hermit as being a large mansion by Sanae, though Kasen herself refers to it as a dojo.[4] A scroll with the 8th stage towards enlightenment depicted in Ten Bulls, namely “Both Bull and Self Transcended”, can be seen hanging from her wall.

The Underworld (地底 chitei, underground) is a world beneath the surface of Gensokyo, and consists of many regions. It is the main focus of the plot of Subterranean Animism. It’s suggested that it’s a separate world from Gensokyo.

The Underworld is made up of several different layers. The highest one, which is still very far below ground, is known as Old Hell, which was once Hell long ago, before the Yamas decided to relocate due to overpopulation. The Old Capital and the Palace of the Earth Spirits are located on this layer, supposedly at the center of what used to be Hell.

Below that, accessed via a hole in the courtyard of the Palace of the Earth Spirits, is the Remains of Blazing Hell, which produces the heat for Old Hell. Below even that lies the Nuclear Furnace, seen in Stage 6 of Subterranean Animism, which is kept alight by Utsuho Reiuji, and functions the main power source for the rest of the Underworld. Even lower is the Hell of Blood Pools, where the emotions of countless organisms congeal as blood that can be perceived as oil.

The Underground Geyser Center is also located below ground, at the foot of the Youkai Mountain. This experimentation center set up by Kanako Yasaka and Suwako Moriya connects to the Nuclear Furnace.

Spell cards (スペルカード Superukādo) appear to play an important role in casting powerful character-specific magic. During a spell card trance, the user’s offensive and defensive capabilities appear to increase greatly. In some cases, the user becomes completely invincible for the duration of the trance. However, the user may only cast the spell that was specified by the spell card until the trance ends, limiting its overall usefulness.

It was specified in Perfect Memento in Strict Sense that the spell card system was developed by Reimu Hakurei (however, the original draft being written on a youkai contract has called this into question) and first used in the Scarlet Mist Incident. They were designed to give even weak youkai and humans a chance to win, as well as to provide youkai a way to defeat the Hakurei Shrine in a fair duel. This reason was explicitly used in Silent Sinner in Blue, where Marisa Kirisame convinced Watatsuki no Yorihime to use the spell card rules in order to make fights equal and, as Yorihime puts it, to prevent bloodshed.

In Silent Sinner in Blue, Marisa Kirisame describes them in terms similar to a regular duel: You must dodge your opponents or be crushed by them. However, the difference between spell cards and a normal duel is that “the most beautiful one wins. It’s a very mental contest.” Reisen Udongein Inaba clarifies in Cage in Lunatic Runagate Chapter Six that “beautiful” in part means without dirty tricks. As it seems in the following, spell cards regulate rules for the time a duel is held such as: Used equipment, a time limit, winning and losing conditions and restrictions (mostly for the dodging part).

Spell cards however don’t seem to be limited to magic. Sanae Kochiya is able to call upon the power of a god, while Nitori Kawashiro or Marisa are able to use equipment, such as the Mini-Hakkero. Everything that can be used as an attack counts as a spell card, including everyday objects. Kogasa Tatara throws umbrellas in some of her spell cards while Minoriko Aki uses potatoes. Not having such equipment cannot create unique spell cards. If Marisa didn’t have her Hakkero, then she wouldn’t able to use her Master Spark.

It has been noted that some characters aren’t the type to use spell cards, such as Rinnosuke Morichika.

Spell cards were initially described as pieces of paper bearing the descriptions of their respective spells (along with the possible approval of the shrine maiden) in Perfect Memento in Strict Sense. Immaterial and Missing Power features a very concrete gameplay interpretation of this setting element: before they become available for use, spell cards must be declared with the input 22D, which darkens the stage and displays an animation of the character flourishing the card. Nowadays, however, the series ignores this idea and simply treats the cards as named spells, curses, and other such attacks used by the characters.[1]