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Yuyuko Saigyouji

"Yuyuko Saigyouji"(西行寺=Saigyouzi 幽々子=Yuyuko) is a character from Touhou Project. Her first appearance was in Perfect Cherry Blossom Stage 6 Boss.
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Overview


SpeciesGhost
Character TitlesGhost Girl in the Netherworld Tower(You)・Ghost of Flawless Immaculate Beauty([Sui>Immaterial and Missing Power]]、Hi)・Dreaming Ghost(EiGuBou)
Noble Spirit Photography・(Bun)・Ghost Princess(Bunkachou Book)・Ghost of the Snow (Hi)
Stationary Ghost・Enlightened Ghost*(Shin)
AbilitiesMainly the ability to manipulate deathManipulation of death
Level of DangerExtremely high
Level of FriendlinessExtremely high
Place for main activitiesNetherworld
AppearanceYouyoumu Stage 6 Boss・Suimusou Playable Character・Eiyashou Playable Character・Bunkachou LEVEL 8・Kaeizuka Youmu ED
Hisouten Playable Character・Hisoutensoku Playable Character・Shinreibyou Stage 1 Boss・Dan Ama the 4th day・Violet Detector Nightmare Monday Boss
Music ThemeBloom Nobly, Ink-Black Cherry Blossom ~ Border of Life(YouSuiHi)・Border of Life(You)
Ghost Lead(Ka)

*The former applies in the trial version of the game, the latter in the Omake.txt.

※These evaluation on level of Danger・Friendliness are only opinions of another character named Hieda no Akyuu, though.


Yuyuko Saigyouji is a ghost girl who has lived in Tower of White Jade for more than 1,000 years in Netherworld. She is also a lady of the Saigyouji.

Although Yuyuko is a ghost, she has legs and could fall into the relative-tall group. (the answer e-mail from Mr. ZUN)


She is able to lead the ghost and thus appointed by Eiki Shiki Yamaxanadu, theLord Enma in Gensokyo, to be in charge of these ghosts living in the Netherworld.


Abilities


As the word itself suggests, Youyouko is capable of killing any creatures before it could resist . But it does not work for Person of Hourai.


Additionally, the killed one cannot be taken to heaven as their spirt are under control of Youyouko


This ability is a development of the ability before her death.


Design

幽々子様立ち絵その2 オプション&表情差分


Yuyuko wears a Frilly Kimono in Lolita style, which takes the light blue and white as a key-tone color, with her pink hair in medium and a ZUN hat on that. There is a piece of cloth in shape of triangle on the hat, which somehow makes people recall the ghost. Also, She wears a pair of pumps with blue ribbon.


Personalities

It is hard to understand what Yuyuko really means, as she is casual and carefree. As a servant, Youmu Konpaku even bosses Ran Yakumo around as a day-to-day routine in Touhou Bougetsushou. In Shoot the Bullet (book), Aya Shameimaru was made to adapt her pace during each and every interview. Moreover, compared with others like Suika Ibuki and Tenshi Hinanawi, who often get others at their own pace, Yuyuko is even exceeding. Also, she will set off a warm and comfortable atmosphere, and in Bougetsushou, rabbit were in her arms even though they were on alert and defensive at first place. In contrary to her casual appearance, Yuyuko has a number of barrage that are challenging and gorgeous, like a Last Boss.




Although Yuyuko showed the「snow」qualities in Scarlet Weather Rhapsody, it seems to be a result under her own control . Also, she is the first one to ascertain the presence of Tenshi Hinanawi in the initial phase of the incident.


Yukari Yakumo was an old acquaintance of Yuyuko long before her death. However, she does not remember anything when she was alive.


In Touhou Bougetsushou, even though she did not have any direct communication with Yukari, Yuyuko showed her outstanding skills that she could penetrate Yukari’s plan entirely without a word, and then headed to the moon. Additionally, Yuyuko also demonstrated her wise and decisive side in the same work: Through Youmu, she gave advices to Reimu Hakurei about the propulsion for the rocket to the moon. At a party in Scarlet Devil Mansion, She also showed her understanding to the reason why Eirin Yagokoro, who was at the same party as well, behaves in that way, after knowing what kind of person she was. Taking her other scenes into account, Yuyuko is one of the key characters in the story of Bougetsushou.

Moreover, according to Ran, who has taken Yukari’s words, Yuyuko has witnessed the War on the Moon before.


It is unexpectedly unknown(forgotten) that there is also a setting for Yuyuko, as 『a patriot who loves this country outside Gensokyo with all her heart』 (Immaterial and Missing Power)


Saigyou Ayakashi」and Yuyuko before her death


スミ染めの桜


Yuyuko’s father was known as「the great poet」and she was called「the daughter of Fujimi」 in light of the ancient record. The「the great poet」, Yuyuko’s father, was buried under the cherry blossoms (later Saigyou Ayakashi ), as he wished.



From this point, the theory, that Yuyuko’s father is Saigyou, came into existence. As a descendant of the Fujiwara, Saigyou would be a distant relative of Fujiwara no Mokou based on that theory. In addition, there is also a theory indicating that AmenoKoyane no mikoto, the founder of the Fujiwara, is the same person as Yagokoroomoikane no mikoto, the original character for Eirin Yagokoro. Following this view, Mokou and Yuyuko would both be descendants of Eirin.





However, the origin of Fujiwara no Hidesato, the 9th generation ancestor of Saigyou , is pretty doubtful. He might be a descendant of someone from the Keno no kuni Province, considering his birth place. Although people in Keno no kuni Province regarded Toyoki no mikoto, the first prince of Emperor Sujin, as their ancestor, it is possible that he might actually be a descendant of the Great Family of the Miwa clan , rather than Emperor Sujin, given the customs and rituals in Keno area. Based on this theory, he would be a remote relative to Takeminakata-no-Kami, the original model of Kanako Yasaka. By the way, in light of the story of Saigyou and on the basic of the theory about Saigyou’s father, he was born in 1138 and died at the same age as Taira no Shigemori, the first son of Taira no Kiyomori, and Hōjō Tokimasa, the father of Hōjō Masako, in 1199. And Minamoto no Yoritomo died in the same year.


Then, people who worshiped the great poet followed him and died under the cherry blossoms. By taking these people’s energy little by little, the「Saigyou Ayakashi has finally emerged as a Sakura Youkai, with the youkai power.


Yuyuko also left her「ability to seduce others into death」aside, and took her own life under the Saigyou Ayakashi.


Then the Saigyou Ayakashi was sealed by Yuyuko’s body , and it was never in bloom again.



Saigyou Ayakashi and「The Spring Snow Incident」


About 1000 years later, Yuyuko became a ghost and lived carefree in Tower of White Jade without any memories of her life before.

One day, she learned from an ancient record on the bookshelf, that「Someone was sealed by Saigyou Ayakashi 」

And then she tries to unlock the seal out if interest.


Saigyou Ayakashi would never bloom even if spring comes. But in turn, it is also possible that the seal could be unlocked if it were in full bloom. With that in mind, Yuyuko tries to collect the spring in Gensokyo and force Saigyou Ayakashi to bloom.



For that, she gave Youmu the order to gather the spring of Gensokyo into the Netherworld. Following the instruction of the lord, Youmu did so and sent the spring to the Netherworld


On the other hand, in Gensokyo, where the expected spring was taken, the endless freeze prevailed eventually.


Creatures in Gensokyo were left with no choice but trembling in the endless winter.


Although it was supposed to be the time when Sakura blooms, it is actually the snow instead of the Sakura dancing in the wind.



This incident, which is later called「The Spring Snow Incident」, was an outline of Perfect Cherry Blossom.


Soon Reimu Hakurei,Marisa Kirisame and Sakuya Izayoi came to the Tower of White Jade to stop the blossom of Saigyou Ayakashi. They followed the dancing Sakura petal mixed with snow, and reached into the Netherworld.


Spring was released back to Gensokyo, and ran its circle. Although it was later than usual, spring was finally in the air in Gensokyo.


The Sakura in the land of the living is also expected to bloom again.


However, if Yuyuko successfully unlocks the seal with the Spell of Resurrection, the dead under the Sakura tree, including Yuyuko, would come back to life, yet die again because of the passed 1000 years. The ghost Yuyuko would also have disappeared at the same time.


Yuyuko did not realize that she is one of the dead that under the cherry blossom.


Ultimately, Yuyuko will live on as the ghost lady in the Tower of White Jade, forever.


She will never see the blossom of Saigyou Ayakashi.


However, at the time of Yuyuko’s participation in LORD of VERMILION III for revival, Mr. Zun has written :


Hobby 「Preservation of her own body」


Therefore, it is possible that Yuyuko currently found the body under the cherry tree and knew about the identity.


But her specific motivation remains unclear: whether she has recognized her「own corpse」, or just because it was a「corpse」(of her own) and she wanted to preserve it out of interest.


It is also not clear, if Yuyuko has actually found it out. (with her own eyes or something else)



<She will not let the「Saigyou Ayakashi」bloom again and bring more death, which means she will preserve her corpse as it is, for her body is like a container to prevent it from blossom> For this sentence there are various interpretation among fans, for instance, that it also interests Yuyuko to watch over the「Saigyou Ayakashi」, which will not bloom, as a part of her「Netherworld management」


----

There is a Spell Card for Yuyuko named 「「Resurrection Butterfly ‐0% Reflowering‐」」, but it will be merely「「Resurrection Butterfly ‐80% Reflowering‐」」even if players challenge with Lunatic, the highest level of difficulty. So it will never be in full blossom.



It is probably because that Yuyuko would disappear when it becomes full blossom as mentioned before.


But Yuyuko’s Last Word and 「Saigyouji Parinirvana」」 will show up when certain conditions are satisfied at the spell practice in Eiyashou.


According to the spell comment of 「Saigyouji Parinirvana」, 「 the greatest mystery of Yuyuko, is her death 」. This is exactly the spell card that equivalent to「Resurrection Butterfly ‐100% Reflowering‐」. In fact, the patterns of 「Resurrection Butterfly」and「Saigyouji Parinirvana」are similar.


「Bring back a greater spring」


In Bunbunmaru Newspaper, which was printed on 3rd , Planting Month(May in lunar calendar), there is a report about Yuyuko after the Spring Snow Incident, wrote by Aya Shameimaru.


Aya was informed that there were cherry petals dancing under the cherry tree which is not in blossom yet. At the end of the three-day sightseeing, he met and interviewed Yuyuko followed by Youmu.


However, Aya was not able to read what Yuyuko really meant as she did not take it that serious as always. On the other hand, Yuyuko took some cherry petals, which could not be found in Gensokyo yet filled up the big basket in Youmu’s hand, waved them to the heaven and happily danced with petals around her in the wind.


Because spring would come in Gensokyo if these are sowed. 」(Shoot the Bullet, book)



Active Appearance afterwards


As mentioned before, Yuyuko has appeared in lots of works after Perfect Cherry Blossom.


In Suimusou, Yuyuko comes to Gensokyo where the endless banquets are over and over again. She aims at the source while avoiding meeting the eyes of the mastermind, with her casualness.


It is like the common sense that next to the right foot there is a left foot


Yuyuko’s story is developed with the words like「tea」and「aroma」, which are considered as the symbol of grace.





InEiyashou, in order to bring the usual moon back, Marisa took Youmu and headed to the person who is responsible for the 「 Spell of Troubles 」. Despite her casualness, Marisa found out the truth about the faked moon hanging in the sky. So sometimes she is also charismatic with her candidness.


Youmu, it is a taboo to see that moon, stop looking at it right now


According to Hisouten, in summer , Marisa walked through snow to visit various places in Gensukyo.


and claimed「 a ghost who does not share the coldness with others 」.


It happened a long time ago, in fairly early phase when Hakurei Shrine had not collapsed, even before all other characters went out to investigate the incident.


Therefore, she was the first to reach Tenshi, who described the battle with Yuyuko as 「 From now on it is happening, the pregame of the battle with people on the ground 」.


It seems that the change of the weather was often far from what they wanted. But as mentioned before, Yuyuko seems to have made a weather as she pictured, and claimed「 It would be easy to change the weather once I calm down 」. However, there are still a lots of things to work on, to actually control the weather.


Yuyuko appeared in Shinreibyou as Stage 1 Boss


As the Stage 1 Boss, Yuyuko’s appearance has a huge impact for fans, considering each of her unique charisma in the previous works. They asked「Someone like you could be a Stage 1 Boss?


In the work, Yuyuko gave main protagonists some advises about a investigation that against the increased number of ghost and some strange movements. They came to Yuyuko since she was in charge of the ghosts.



Be happy even after death


However, about the theme of Shinreibyou, there are words in the text by ZUN, saying that「 It is about both the world of Youyoumu and Undefined Fantastic Object 」, and thus「 I could not remove the Netherworld from the story after all 」.


Yuyuko appeared also in various books: In Sangetsusei, she attended a Test of Courage in Hakurei Shrine and played a role of ghost there. She was enjoying watching Youmu scared and panic. Also, Yuyuko read Yukari’s mind and then took her own action with Youmu according to Bougetsushou, in which yuyuko seems to be away fromt he Tower of White Jade.


Yuyuko often shows up at events in this world: In Ibarakasen, Yuyuko joined the banquet in Hakurei Shrine with Youmu. In Suzunaan, she visited Hakurei Shrine to enjoy the Noh theater, and showed up at the Event of Hundreds Stories, which was also open to human.


She has been various places: earth, heaven, moon, with a wide range of activities.




Spell Cards


Perfect Cherry Blossom

 Losing Hometown「Village of Self-Loss -Wandering Soul-」

 Losing Hometown「Village of Self-Loss -Past Sin-」

 Losing Hometown「Village of Self-Loss -Trackless Path-」

 Losing Hometown「Village of Self-Loss -Suicide-」

 Deadly Dance「Law of Mortality -Bewilderment-」

 Deadly Dance「Law of Mortality -Dead Butterfly-」

 Deadly Dance「Law of Mortality -Poisonous Moth-」

 Deadly Dance「Law of Mortality -Demon World-」

 Flowery Soul「Ghost Butterfly」

 Flowery Soul「Swallowtail Butterfly」

 Flowery Soul「Deep-Rooted Butterfly」

 Flowery Soul「Butterfly Delusion」

 Subtle Melody「Repository of Hirokawa -False Soul-」

 Subtle Melody「Repository of Hirokawa -Ghost-」

 Subtle Melody「Repository of Hirokawa -Phantom Spirit-」

 Subtle Melody「Repository of Hirokawa -Divine Spirit-」

 Cherry Blossom Sign「Perfect Ink-Black Cherry Blossom -Seal-」

 Cherry Blossom Sign「Perfect Ink-Black Cherry Blossom -Self-Loss-」

 Cherry Blossom Sign「Perfect Ink-Black Cherry Blossom -Spring Sleep-」

 Cherry Blossom Sign「Perfect Ink-Black Cherry Blossom -Bloom-」

 「Resurrection Butterfly ‐10% Reflowering‐」

 「Resurrection Butterfly ‐30% Reflowering‐」

 「Resurrection Butterfly ‐50% Reflowering‐」

 「Resurrection Butterfly ‐80% Reflowering‐」


Immaterial and Missing Power

 Death Sign「Ghastly Dream」

 Nether Sign「Path to Yomotsu-Hirasaka」

 Spirit Sign「Ageless Dream」

 Deadly Butterfly「Eternal Sleep in Dreamland」

 Lost Again「Gensokyo's Rise from Yomi」

 Lifespan「Ticket to the Ageless Land」

 First Card「Butterfly from a Ghostly Dream」

 Second Card「Weeping Higan Cherry of Hakugyokurou」

 Third Card「Distantly Ancient Place of Death」

 Cherry Blossom「Feast of Lingering Regrets」

 The Purple Higan Shines Late


Imperishable Night

 Death Sign「Ghastly Dream」

 Deadly Butterfly「Eternal Sleep in Dreamland」

 「Saigyouji Parinirvana」


Shoot the Bullet

 Ghostly Elegance「Light Trap of Passing Away」

 Butterfly Sign「Deadly Lance of the Swallowtail Butterfly Crest」

 Death Sign「Life of Drunk, Dream of Death」

 「Death Butterfly, Floating Moon」


Scarlet Weather Rhapsody

 Death Sign「Ghastly Dream」

 Nether Sign「Path to Yomotsu-Hirasaka」

 Spirit Sign「Ageless Dream」

 Deadly Butterfly「Eternal Sleep in Dreamland」

 Lost Again「Gensokyo's Rise from Yomi」

 Lifespan「Ticket to the Ageless Land」

 Spirit Butterfly「A Butterfly's Wingbeats, Brief in Life」

 Butterfly Sign「Deadly Lance of the Swallowtail Butterfly Crest」

 Ghostly Elegance「Light Trap of Passing Away」

 Ghostly Sign「Netherworld Mystery Spot」

 Spirit Butterfly「A Butterfly's Wingbeats, Brief in Life」

 Banquet「All Things Come Full Circle in Death」


Hisoutensoku

 Cherry Blossom Sign「Sense of Cherry Blossom」


Ten Desires

 Symbol「Dance of the Dead Butterflies」

 Symbol「Dance of the Dead Butterflies -Cherry Blossoms-」

 Ghostly Butterfly「Ghost Spot」

 Ghostly Butterfly「Ghost Spot -Cherry Blossoms-」

 Nether Sign「Endless Evening Cherry Blossoms」

 Cherry Blossom Sign「Saigyou Cherry Blossom Blizzard」

 Cherry Blossom Sign「Cherry Blossom Blizzard Hell」


Impossible Spell Card

 Butterfly Sign「Flower, Butterfly, Wind and Moon」

 Cherry Blossom「Lovely Cherry Blossom Blizzard」


Violet Detector

 Ghostly Flower Sign「Butterfly Storm Yama Shaku」(Co-owner with Eiki Shiki・Yamaxanadu

 Wind Ghostly Sign「Dead Butterfly Onbashira」(Co-owner with Yasaka Kanako

 Ghostly Wind Sign「Native Butterfly Storm」(Co-owner with Suwako Moriya


Yuyuko has the most Spell Cards among all the characters in Touhou project, and most of them are powerful, and gorgeous as well.


Related Websites

幽愁楼閣ゆゆさまセンシティブな作品西行妖

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