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"I am thou, thou art I... I am Inugami, eternal, treasured and most loyal companion. Even in death I will protect and guide you, my master."
"Dog God." Not unlike a majority of cultures, the dog is seen in Japanese culture as a brave, loyal and loving companion that, without hesitation, fights for its master. In Japanese folklore, dogs are magical, mystical creatures. But as the dog is loyal and compassionate, it is equally cunning and vicious. Inugami are the Shikigami spirit of a dog, resurrected from its gruesome death to serve loyally as its master's side as a spirit.
It is told in tales that in order to create an Inugami, a dog must be buried to its neck and have food placed out of its reach. The dog would, in turn, die over several days as its master assures it that the dog's suffering by no means compares to the pain of the master. Upon dying, the dog's spirit is released and it becomes an Inugami. The food around its body would, in turn, serve as a placatory offering to the fresh spirit and, in turn, gain its trust and obedience.
Those who harness the power of an Inugami are said to be blessed with great fortune and success. In exchange for this luck, however, people shun the Inugami's master. Perhaps most importantly, the Inugami's master must be careful not to offend their spirit companion; while a loyal spirit, the Inugami is capable of acting on its own without command of its master. If the Inugami wishes to break its bond with its master, it has no body to return to and therefor will take possession of the master's body. While it can cure illness, it results in inu-tsuki, where the possessed acts in a manner like a dog.
SENSE: A feeling of inner peace, very similar to the feeling of acceptance after a deep, wounding loss. Calmness. The warmth of having one's most treasured companion at their side.
SMELL: The scent of fresh morning dew and moist earth. The smell of Benzoin incense burning.
SOUND: The sound of suzu bells chiming. The hushed, gentle sound of wind rustling through tallgrass. The irregular distant howl of a canine.
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