Awami Shrine

From Radiant Heart MUSH

Awami-Shrine.png
Allied Faction: Civilian
Allied Groups: Civilian
Location Type: Public Space
Grid Locale: Tokyo
A shrine in Tokyo that has been run by the Hamasaki Family for generations. They are responsible for the shrine's upkeep and occasionally send out calls for Shrine Maidens to perform their duties at Awami Shrine. The building is divided in three spaces: a warehouse, a rite chamber and an offerings chamber. Inside the rite chamber, Shrine Maidens perform votive rites with their intricate dances, to the presence of the temple's priest and the crowd of visitors. Inside the darkly lit offerings chamber, many candles lay in front of the goddess' sacred space, the offer of those who have etched their names and that of their love on it, in the hope of receiving the goddess' blessing and see it come true.

The shrine has a legend associated with it, that of a man who loved the sea, and the sea loved him back, having gained the affection of a mermaid during one of his many boat trips. The mermaid dared not approach the man, for she knew a careless slip of the tongue caused by her love would have meant her doom, so she settled for watching him from afar during his many trips.

The days went on unchanging, until on a fateful day a storm started picking up strength, the darkened skies taking away the man's sense of orientation, and the furious waves threatening to topple his boat. All the man could do was try his best to stay alive. The mermaid, unable to bear the sight of his love in danger, decided to reveal herself despite the risks, and gathering wood from nearby trees, she made a torch out of it, and, keeping the fire away from the fury of the sea, she revealed herself to the man and started leading him to shore with the guidance of the burning light.

The Hamasaki family claims to descent from that same man, who built this shrine to honour the event, turning the mermaid into a symbol of love and the temple's protector. From then, the ritual of the candles was born, with the saying that she would use the flame to guide the lovers happily in life much as she did the man to shore.

Associated Logs

Title Date Scene Summary
Visiting Awami Shrine February 17th, 2024 Coco gets Yuuto to come to a nearby shrine for the next date, and shares with him the origin of this goddess of marriage. The two then make an offering to ensure their love is protected forevermore.
Awami Shrine Peril March 21st, 2024 White Bone Demon attacks Awami Shrine, but her evil plans are fought back by several heroes, including a last second save by Cure Wukong.
Obon Festival August 15th, 2024 Coco is working at Awami Shrine for Obon, and is joined by many friends, each of whom have their own thoughts on this important holiday.