Hoka-no-Sekai

The Hoka-no-Sekai

The ***Hoka-no-Sekai*** is an opposing realm to the physical world in which humanity dwells within, lingering as the perfect imitation of the physical world but on behalf of the numerous *kami* that use it as their natural home. In this opposing world, the Hoka-no-Sekai acts not only as a realm for native kami to roam and interact, but as a major reservoir for experienced **Tengoku** to utilize in their training & combat against opponents. First discovered by the Tengoku of Inari, Clan Sone, the *Hoka-no-Sekai* was provided as a gift for the **Tengoku** to harness as a resource against the darkness that threatens Japan's harmonious balance. Despite this, the *Hoka-no-Sekai* is also the realm in which Oni & other dark creatures thrive in.

In addition, humans are not able to withstand prolonged exposure to the *Hoka-no-Sekai*; exposure beyond a few seconds can risk permanent physical & mental injury to inexperienced users. Even then, the most experienced users can take years of practice before they are able to demonstrate meaningful use of the realm's inherent gifts.

## Navigation

Main Page • General Lore and Systems • Kami • Materials • NPCs • Oni & Yokai

## Primary Features & Properties

In this realm, ordinary physics are not applicable to the dynamic phenomenon that may be observed. For instance, humans cannot see color within this realm as it is a spiritual counterpart to their native physical realm. According to ancient scholars from Clans Sone and Fujihara, the Land of the Kami operates as a direct mirror counterpart but with vastly distorted mechanics in terms of the passage of time, the absorption of memories within physical locations and objects, the disproportional translation between movement and time, etc. This wide plethora of incalculable features further emphasize the magical properties of the *Hoka-no-Sekai*. However, it is because of these properties that it is widely believed only experienced **Tengoku** can hope to enter and harness its powerful spiritual effects. It is known that for Clan Sone, the Tengoku of Inari are the only members of the Tengoku that are not easily threatened by its abstract, extradimensional power. It is *impossible* to accurately apply ordinary laws of physics to the supernatural mechanics demonstrated within the Land of the Kami.

Prolonged exposure without guidance or restraint has often led **Tengoku** members to be driven insane, permanently maimed, and even killed. Other features regarding the *Hoka-no-Sekai* and its abilities are known only to the Tengoku of Inari, considering they are the most experienced at understanding and preserving its spiritual fabric. Despite these extraordinary properties, the *Hoka-no-Sekai* is still vulnerable to powerful phenomena that can threaten its fragile pockets. In these fragile locations, the *Hoka-no-Sekai* may be exposed to corruptive influences such as the presence of a strong Oni, a Shinigami, or even the presence of an aggressive foreign pantheon. In these moments, the *Hoka-no-Sekai* is corrupted; breaking down the barrier between physical and spiritual, leaving the essential divine fabric of Shintoism open for further destruction. Despite these rare instances, Tengoku are frequently quick to defend these fragile gaps. Such gaps have increasingly existed since the end of World War II.

## Kami & Oni

Naturally, the Land of the Kami is exactly that before all else: the natural home of the spiritual gods that maintain Japan. Though the term kami is extremely broad, this realm particularly shelters the members of Japan's native animistic religion: the nature spirits. These unique kami can be represented as anything, whether it be within an heirloom sword, a river, or a massive boulder. These unique spirits are visible within the *Hoka-no-Sekai* as powerful entities which influence their local environment. Oni on the other hand, are demonic threats that lead rogue incursions through both the *Hoka-no-Sekai* and the physical world. These demons often seek to harm, corrupt, or destroy their kami counterparts, further incentivizing the Tengoku - the progenitors to the modern Battotai and arguably, its current foundation - to hunt down and destroy all demons they come across.

When first entering the Kami Realm, human visitors are bombarded by an extreme amount of voices that tend to originate from nearby spirits. These voices can number in the thousands at any given point, easily capable of overwhelming and deafening visitors without proper training and guidance. These initial signs can also be felt in extremely sacred sites such as temples, graveyards, monuments, and other historical sites that are relevant to the history of Japan. Within seconds, human visitors can experience a variety of harmful symptoms such as nausea, headaches, migraines, extreme muscular pain, and retinal pain. Prolonged exposure without adequate training can result in death quite easily. It is an established fact that within the Land of the Kami, spirits and Oni are also enhanced in strength to a much greater degree than humans can be.

It is a commonly held belief that one must retain good relations with a kami to successfully harness its gifts; or powerful enough to usurp its properties. However, this can be considered to be folklore than established fact.

## Trivia

* Within Sone-Kiyomeru lanterns, these act as extremely concentrated pockets that contain the spiritual essence of the *Hoka-no-Sekai*. As a result, accompanying kami can comfortably live within these confined spaces without forcing the user to enter the spiritual realm.
* It is an established fact amongst experienced scholars, blacksmiths, and Tengoku that Shinkōhagane blades/artifacts have a distinct and incorruptible relationship with the Hoka-no-Sekai. Similar to Sone-Kiyomeru Lanterns, Shinkōhagane properties can be seen as *physical* manifestations of the spiritual world's abstract phenomenon.