Watatsuki no Yorihime

Watatsuki no Yorihime (綿月 依姫) is a Lunarian princess. She and her sister Toyohime are in charge of the Lunarian Defense Corps. It looks like Yorihime is mostly in charge of training the moon rabbits.

Lunarians in Touhou Thousands of years ago, the original Lunarians consisting of Lord Tsukuyomi and his most trusted relatives, including the older Eirin Yagokoro, came from the Earth to the moon. They were able to do so because they had the revelation that the world was built on probabilities and anything could happen, allowing them to artificially increase the probability that living beings on Earth would find their way to the Moon. [1] Their reason was to leave the impurity that was ravaging the land. [2] It somewhat implied that the original Lunarians were human, as the Lunarians resemble humans in most ways to the point where they can live as humans (functionally speaking) on Earth[3], and are classified as human in Perfect Memento in Strict Sense (however, the author Hieda no Akyu does not seem to be aware of the extraterrestrial origins of the people being classified as such). However, Lunarians are closer in nature to hermits or celestials than normal humans.[4] They naturally live much longer lives, and are even said to live forever; they are not true immortals, however, and may die eventually due to unnatural causes such as accidents or battles. [5] Lunarians also allegedly have superhuman stamina and abilities beyond even youkai of the Earth, and possess some of the most advanced technology that there is. [6]

Supposedly, according to Kaguya Houraisan, the Lunarians not only are the originators of most powers on Earth, but also turned some earthlings into monsters in order to regulate the Earth's impurity.[7] However, Yukari Yakumo has an alternate origin of youkai, saying in narrative to herself that it was the moon's dim light which gave birth to the youkai in a manner of speaking, by causing humanity to fear and create legends about them. [8] The two explanations are not entirely mutually exclusive, and may be a result of differing outlooks or parts on the matter. For example, the Lunarians may have purposefully dimmed the moon's light to make humanity's fears create the youkai.

The Lunar Capital appears to have a mix of Chinese and Japanese architecture and dress styles, but the extent of the connection between Lunarians and these cultures is unknown.

Personality Yorihime is more serious than her sister. She often tells her elder sister how carefree she is, especially in her free time, which she spends eating peaches.

What they can do: Using the gods' power

This is what Yorihime can do in the game Silent Sinner in Blue. Like Reimu Hakurei, Yorihime can use the power of the gods to do what she wants. But she is much better than Reimu, who was still learning when she met Silent Sinner in Blue. Depending on the god she has summoned, she can cause different effects.

Use the power of Honoikazuchi to attack Sakuya Izayoi. Sakuya used Kanayama-hiko no Mikoto's power to make her knives disappear, then made them reappear to attack the maid together with Honoikazuchi's lightning. We don't know the details, but it seems like she used the power of Amatsu-Mikaboshi to attack Marisa Kirisame. Summoned Ishikori-dome no Mikoto to reflect one of Marisa Kirisame's lasers with the goddess's special mirror (the Yata Mirror). When she called Ame-no-Uzume into her body, she was protected from the bullets of Remilia Scarlet, which were full of the power of the night. Even if Yorihime tried to touch the bullets, they wouldn't hit her. He beat Remilia with a sun-based attack that was powered by Amaterasu Oomikami. Summoned Izunome to clean Reimu Hakurei's bullets of the evil power of Oomagatsumi. After beating Sakuya, Yorihime says she has lots of different techniques. She says that if she only used one or two of these in each battle, she could win another 39,000,000 times. What's more, when Marisa used Double Spark against her, Yorihime got ready and at the same time called for Ishikori-dome no Mikoto to come to her aid before any of the two lasers could reach her.

The capital is protected by a barrier that hides its existence.[3] This barrier blocks outside access, but can be bypassed through the seas of the Moon. The Lunar Capital's relationship to the Moon is like Gensokyo's to the Earth, also known as the Outside World[5], presumably because of this barrier. Like Gensokyo, it thus could effectively be considered another world. The capital is shown to have skyscrapers[1] and traditional Japanese and Chinese buildings.[5]

The majority of Gensokyo's inhabitants are well aware of the existence of the Lunar Capital. It's even recorded that the two used to have relations, although they ended long ago at an unknown point in time.[6] Some records from the Genso-Lunar War are still intact which even go so far as to detail the weapons the lunarians had back then,[1] and Lunar exhibitions from Eientei have kept the humans and youkai of Gensokyo updated a little on the Lunar Capital in the present day.

The majority of the Outside World, however, seem to be much less aware of it. As shown by the story of Mizue no Uranoshimako, who was made to believe that he found the legendary Dragon Palace on the bottom of the sea,[3] the Lunarians are actively attempting to keep the existence of the Lunar Capital a secret to prevent the beings of the Earth from searching for it. There may, however, be some on Earth in the outside world in high places of authority who are aware of the Lunar Capital. The people from the Apollo missions were referred to as "assassins" in Silent Sinner in Blue, and there may have been ulterior motives to the cover up of the Earth's "defeat" in the Lunar War. However, for the public, any indication from the Earth's defeat in the Lunar War with the Apollo project that might have given clues to the Lunar Capital's existence were presumably covered up when only the successful landing on the Moon and not the "defeat" was reported to the public at large. For the second invasion (presumably the Chang'e program), allegedly either lunarians or moon rabbits made contact with the humans that landed on the Moon urging them to co-exist peacefully, but if so, it is likely this was concealed from the public too.[7] Even in the near future of Maribel Hearn and Renko Usami's time, the idea of a Lunar Capital is still just a legend,[8] although Maribel herself is able to see the Lunar Capital due to her ability to see through boundaries.

Although the Lunar Capital is protected by a barrier, things such as humans planting a flag on the Moon or colonizing it still presents a major problem for unspecified reasons. It is serious enough that humanity planting a flag and simply attempting to establish bases on the moon is referred to as the "Lunar War" and their failure to do so considered a "defeat". For both that past invasion and the one taking place in the present day, actual combat is being heavily considered due to humanity's attempts to establish bases on the Moon.[7] In the future, Maribel Hearn believes it's important she see the Lunar Capital before humanity manages to colonize the moon.[8] The Lunarians consider the Earth to be a residence for the corrupted, and it's said that they use the Earth as a prison for those who commit serious crimes, a prime example being Kaguya Houraisan.

Although the Lunar Capital is protected by a barrier, it is possible to bypass it in multiple ways from Gensokyo, those include travelling through the Dream World's secret passageways that the Moon rabbits use[9] or using a Sanctuary as a passageway.[10]

Sub-Locations Moon Palace The Moon Palace is the home of Watatsuki no Toyohime, Watatsuki no Yorihime and Reisen, having the Moon Capital Gate Guards guarding the entrance.

Geography and People

The Lunar Capital, as illustrated in Perfect Memento in Strict Sense The Moon is the home to the lunarians and moon rabbits (including Eirin Yagokoro, Kaguya Houraisan, and Reisen Udongein Inaba), whose civilization is hidden from humans in a similar manner to Gensokyo. The moon has two main faces: the Near side of the Moon and the Far Side of the Moon (月の裏). The near side is the Moon that most of the Outside World and Gensokyo is familiar with.[5] It's inaccessible to ordinary lunarians[6], likely similar to how the Outside World is inaccessible to ordinary inhabitants of Gensokyo. The far side is known as the "true" Moon and it's the location of its only known metropolis; the Lunar Capital, closed away by a barrier.[7] It can't typically be seen directly under normal circumstances (but the heroine of Imperishable Night had the opportunity to look at it when Eirin unveiled it), but can be seen in reflections.[8] Ordinary humans can't even look directly at it without going mad, although looking at it in reflections seems to give no ill effects.

In Shinto myth, it was instead many gods under Amaterasu who fought to unify Japan. However, given that the lord of the Lunar Capital is Lord Tsukuyomi, who in Shinto myth was one of the main gods along with his sister Amaterasu, many of these gods and many Lunarians may be one and the same, but this isn't confirmed. It's highly likely, however, as in an interview in Symposium of Post-mysticism, ZUN has stated that the Moon is where the noble types of gods live, and referred to Eirin as a god.

The true names of some Lunarians, including Eirin Yagokoro and Chang'e, are unknown and unpronounceable to the people of Earth, so they use different given names on Earth.[9]

The moon is said to be a Pure Land similar to Higan where the impurity of life and death does not exist, and thus nothing can age or grow sick while on the moon. However, allowing either mortals or those who have drunk the Hourai Elixir to live on the moon for too long could result in it becoming tainted. Kaguya Houraisan's manipulation of eternity allowed her to recreate this environment in Eientei.

Things such as insects don't appear to live on the Moon, but it has numerous peach and udonge trees.

The lunar seas exist on the "far side" as actual bodies of (lifeless) water - they're the closest point of the Moon to Earth and the usual arrival point for travelers, regardless of their means of travel.

The Lunar Seas The far side of the Moon has several seas. These seas are the closest points to the Earth, and thus various beings from Earth may find their way to the far side of the Moon from there.[10] It's implied that this is due to the reflections of the "True" Moon and the Earth, which can be viewed in the water. Watatsuki no Toyohime mentions the reflection of the Earth while musing how Mizue no Uranoshimako crossed into the far side of the Moon by chasing and riding a turtle into the ocean.[11]. Yukari Yakumo has opened a path to the Moon for both Genso-Lunar wars using its reflection on the surface of the water, and her destination point started over the sea. The way from the Moon to the Earth can be through the reflections of the Moon's seas, as well.[12] When Remilia Scarlet's Moon Rocket landed on the far side of the Moon during the second Genso-Lunar war, she landed near the sea of Prosperity. All of the seas have no impurities, and no life.[13]

The Sea of Tranquility is the furthest sea from the Lunar Capital. It's on the other side of the moon from the Lunar Capital, so the citizens of the capital and the moon rabbits seldom visited it.[14] By starting from here and following an invisible predetermined route through the various seas of the Moon, one can cross through the barrier around the Lunar Capital.[15] In order of furthest to closest, other seas of the moon are the Sea of Serenity, the Sea of Rains, and the Ocean of Storms. These seas are aptly named, as depicted in Silent Sinner in Blue Chapter 16. After the Ocean of Storms, there's at least one more sea to cross before one can cross the barrier around the Lunar Capital.[16]

The sages of the Moon (shown to be the Watatsuki sisters) have their living residence in a sea after the Ocean of Storms called Mare Ingenii - The Sage's Sea[17], possibly because of the closer proximity to Earth and their duty to watch over it.

History The moon's inhabitants once fought a "war" against the humans of Earth, beginning when the astronauts of the Apollo program placed a flag on the moon (thus declaring it to be 'theirs'); however, although the Lunarians had mobilized for war and refer to the incident as the "Lunar War"[18], no known direct fighting took place, although it is said, that the Apollo crew was injured.[19] Instead, the lunarians sabotaged the humans' attempts to establish a foothold on the Moon and their "invasion" was ultimately unsuccessful.[20][21] In the end, a project named after the sun (Apollo), which was the opposite of the Moon, was doomed to never reach the Moon Capital.[22] Most humans of the Outside World are unaware of this failure, as those who are aware didn't report about it, presumably to keep spirits up and morale high.[23] However, an escalation occurred a few decades later when humans attempted to build colonies on the moon via the Chang'e program which, being named after an actual prisoner on the moon, was much more threatening.[24] The results are unknown.

In the distant past the people of the moon tried regulating people of the Earth by creating monsters, according to Kaguya in Imperishable Night, which may mean they were responsible for the creation of youkai. At the very least, according to Yukari Yakumo, it was the dim light of the moon that indirectly gave birth to the youkai by causing human's fears and legends about them. Also according to Kaguya, things such as magic originated from the moon- "The moon gave many powers to beings of the earth. Many of them, such as magic, were originally the moon's power."

The creation of magic and possibly youkai isn't the only way that the Lunarians have manipulated Earth and its history. Branches of the Udonge Tree were used by Lunarians to sow conflict on Earth, to keep the Earth from being stagnant. In this way, the Lunarians have manipulated the Earth's history as they saw fit.[25]. They have also indiscreetly used shimenawa ropes to bind those who could be a threat to them, such as Lord Daikoku, and it's implied they were the ones behind the great wars to unify Japan into one country, long ago.[26]

More than a thousand years ago, Yukari Yakumo launched a failed invasion of the moon after gathering a youkai army. Her exact reasons are currently unknown.

This is about how to use a sword. She is very skilled with a sword and reacts very quickly. She easily cut down several of Marisa's danmaku, and reacted very quickly to the witch's Final Spark laser.

It is good at learning. Eirin said that Yorihime can learn anything very quickly.We saw this when she quickly learned the spellcard rules and beat Sakuya, Marisa, Remilia and Reimu one after the other.

Here is a list of things you own: Yorihime has a sword and is very good at using it. But she mostly uses it to summon things.

Light purple hair tied into a ponytail with a yellow ribbon; brown eyes. Wears a dark red dress with a strap on the right over a white short-sleeved blouse, and a loose belt with a gold sword-shaped buckle.

Literature Silent Sinner in Blue After being warned by Eirin of the invasion, she intercepts and fights Reimu, Marisa, Sakuya, and Remilia after their spaceship crashes on the Moon. She defeats all four of them after only having just learned how the spellcard rules worked, though Reimu gave her a bit of trouble due to summoning Oomagatsumi and holding the moon hostage. Afterwards, she requests Reimu's help in clearing her of suspected treason.

Cage in Lunatic Runagate Main article: Cage in Lunatic Runagate: Chapter 3 After reflecting on the baseless rumors of an upcoming Earth invasion, Toyohime and Yorihime briefly discuss the events 1500 years ago involving Eirin and Kaguya's descent to Earth. It also reveals Eirin as the person behind the old Japanese fable involving the Dragon King's Palace, Urashima Tarou, which is on the moon rather than underwater, and how Toyohime came to give the protagonist of the tale refuge, and how Eirin is the one who orchestrated his return home, which would later cause him to be deified.

Whispered Oracle of Hakurei Shrine Main article: Whispered Oracle of Hakurei Shrine: Watatsuki no Yorihime Reimu Hakurei writes a fortune slip about Yorihime as a way of cleaning up in the aftermath of an incident.

Relationships Watatsuki no Toyohime Her older sister, while somewhat aloof, she and Toyohime appear to hold their relationships in high regard.

Eirin Yagokoro Distantly related to Eirin through marriage to their unnamed husbands (one of the Watatsuki sisters was the wife of Eirin's grandnephew, while the other one was married to their son[4]), Eirin was also their teacher, whom they treat with much respect and admiration, despite Eirin being a fugitive.

Reisen Udongein Inaba Her former pet.