Suwako Moriya

Suwako Moriya (洩矢　諏訪子 Moriya Suwako) is the original god of the Moriya Shrine. Officially the shrine now belongs to Kanako Yasaka, but in Suwako's words she handles most of the divine services while Kanako handles the "sales"[1]However, Kanako and the shrine maiden, Sanae Kochiya, carry out the duties of gathering faith.

Personality In contrast to Kanako, Suwako is more laid back and mischievous. She enjoys competing against others, and loses gracefully. Though she feigns ignorance, Suwako is just as capable of scheming as Kanako. Combined with her rarely leaving the shrine, her intentions can be hard to read.

Abilities Ability to create earthliness Suwako's ability specifically refers to the element of Kun (坤), one of the eight trigrams in Taoist philosophy that means creating Earth. Kun is exactly the pinnacle of the native god and is associated with acceptance, devotion, subtlety, flexibility, and reacting to others rather than acting first. Kanako Yasaka's ability to create the "heavenliness" of Bagua, or Qian (乾), refers to the opposite element. Although Mountain of Faith offers little insight into the nature of Suwako's abilities, her attack animations in Touhou Hisoutensoku depict her "swimming" through the ground, summoning magma, geysers, various rocks and minerals, growing plants instantly, and bending rivers.[2]

Iron rings Possibly because of her ability to manipulate minerals, Suwako uses large iron rings as weapons in various attacks. Aya Shameimaru mentions that weapon isn't a kanawa, Japanese Chakram-like weapon, because of the way she throws it. According to Hatate Himekaidou, they are scarily sharp.[3]

Name The name Suwako (諏訪子) is modified from Lake Suwa (諏訪湖 Suwa-ko), the largest lake in Nagano prefecture. The area also features one of the world's largest geysers. Suwako's family name is probably derived from Moreyashin (洩矢神, the god Moriya), who is said to be the first ancestor of Sanae Moriya (守矢早苗), the real person who inspired Sanae Kochiya. (Moreya is an archaic, alternate pronunciation of Moriya.)

Design Suwako wears a short simple purplish-blue dress with a frog print design, large white sleeves stitched onto the torso, and a white collar. She has medium length blond hair, grey eyes, a light brown wide-brimmed hat with two frog eyes on the top, white kneehighs and black shoes. Originally unofficial, Suwako has been shown to wear Zettai Ryouiki in Touhou Hisoutensoku and Hopeless Masquerade.

Relationships Kanako Yasaka While Suwako claims to still hold a grudge against Kanako for taking over her shrine, her own faith actually increased as a result. By now they've become good friends.

Sanae Kochiya Sanae acts as a wind priestess under Suwako and is able to summon her. Sanae is also Suwako's descendant.

Utsuho Reiuji She was presumably present when Kanako presented the Yatagarasu to Utsuho.