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The New New Touhou Character Alternate Interpretation Compendium

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Tacitus Since: Jan, 2001
#826: Feb 10th 2014 at 2:42:23 PM

Why oh why didn't I get this up before the conversation went to Chen milk... >_<






Tsukumogami of an Aging Biwa/Koto
Benben and Yatsuhashi Tsukumo

Appearances:

Stage: A Sound of Discord Within the Storm ~ Stormy Discord
BGM: "Magical Storm"
Theme: "Illusionary Joruri"

Spellcard Motif: Music, Revolution, Storms
Benben's Spellcards: (DDC)
Heikyoku "Sounds of Jetavana's Bell," Vengeful Spirit "Taira's Great Vengeful Spirit," Music Sign "Malicious Musical Score," Music Sign "Double Score"
Yatsuhashi's Spellcards: (DDC)
Koto Sign "Sounds of Anicca's Koto," Echo Sign "Echo Chamber," Koto Music "Social Upheaval Requiem"
Shared Spellcards:
String Music "Storm Ensemble," String Music "Joururi World"

Write-up:
A pair of prematurely-born tsukumogami, spawned from some traditional Japanese musical instruments by the energies unleashed during the Youkai Uprising Incident. This was enough to convince the two to adopt each other as sisters - perhaps they recognized how well their personalities complemented each other?

The pair went on to fight for a tool's paradise, but after being predictably beaten by the protagonist, the Tsukumo siblings seemed doomed to reverting back into inanimate objects as the Miracle Mallet's power waned. Fortunately for them, Raiko Horikawa showed them how to survive off energy from the outside world, and the three of them are presumably continuing the fight for tools' liberation.

Relationships:

  • Raiko Horikawa (mentor)

See also the second compendium.

Grounder Main Character Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
Main Character
#827: Feb 10th 2014 at 2:54:21 PM

They're instruments.

Uh... They probably aren't too bright haven been prematurely awakened, in contrast to Raiko (who for some reason is).

They egg the Prismriver mansion every Thursday, and think Seija is the only tool out of the DDC cast.

Clarste One Winged Egret Since: Jun, 2009 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
One Winged Egret
#828: Feb 10th 2014 at 2:55:49 PM

I doubt they produce milk.

Grounder Main Character Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
Main Character
#829: Feb 10th 2014 at 2:57:31 PM

[up]They do, however, have some good wood on them.

Get it?

Clarste One Winged Egret Since: Jun, 2009 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
One Winged Egret
#830: Feb 10th 2014 at 3:01:29 PM

Checking wikipedia, kotos are traditionally made with Paulownia wood, silk strings, and ivory bridges. So Yatsuhashi's a combination of wood, moth poop, and teeth.

edited 10th Feb '14 3:01:54 PM by Clarste

Otherarrow Since: Jul, 2010
#831: Feb 10th 2014 at 4:11:26 PM

Benben and Yatsuhashi are the Tsukumo sisters, two of the biggest movers an shakers during the Miracle Mallet incident. Brought to life at the same time by the power of the Mallet and adopting each other as siblings, the Tsukumos set off to conquer the world and reshape it into a paradise where tools can move and act freely and use their talents to the fullest. To this end, they set off to the Shining Needle Castle to claim the source of their power.

And then they got their asses kicked by the heroines before they got there. Such is life.

Of course, they didn't give up. They eventually realize that their very life as more than a inanimate object was due to the power of the Mallet, and knew that once the Mallet called back that power, they were done for. Fortunately, Raiko came along and taught them and the other Tsukumogamis how to draw from the magic of the outside world as their fuel source, and the Tsukumo sisters continued the good fight under her leadership.

So...I've been referring to them interchangeably in that story write up. That's because the two are never really seen apart. The two do have a sisterly dynamic, with Benben being the calm, serious, mature one, and Yatsuhashi being the hot blooded, layed back, and reckless one. The two primarily work together, though they also squabble a bit, as siblings tend to do.

They both have pretty designs. They look nice.

They still have a lot of room for development, but I am hopeful that we will get some mileage out of them.

Don't PM me. We don't like being PMed.
Antimatter625 Baring hearts for years from my secret place Since: Jan, 2012
Baring hearts for years
#832: Feb 10th 2014 at 4:58:39 PM

So Yatsuhashi's a combination of wood, moth poop, and teeth.

Such a flatterer, Clarste.

I looked through my previous write up and can't think of a whole lot to add (And my views of them haven't really changed, unfortunately). I just feel I should mention this...

I really really look forward to seeing what directions the fandom takes the Prismriver/Tsukumo interaction.

I'm still waiting. Really for like... anything involving them. Yeah, they're still new (And seeing anything from UFO on is odd and refreshing, so It'll probably be 2-3 years before they really start being 'a thing', if ever at all.) May I'll have to do something about it myself... but if so it's gonna be a while.

I do worry that they're going to be overlooked as "Just another Tsukumogami" since we've already got Medicine (Who's already all but ignored) and Kogasa (Who's... inexplicably popular and will probably overshadow them). And even in their own game, Raiko seems more popular than them.

I suppose that unlike Medicine and 'generic' tsukumogami, they don't really seem to bear much of a grudge. They just kinda joined the revolt cause hey it was the thing to do at the time. Magical compulsions and all.

edited 10th Feb '14 4:59:57 PM by Antimatter625

I write some fanfiction. Satori's Tale is done... but I'm not.
Prime32 Since: Jan, 2001
#833: Feb 10th 2014 at 5:08:53 PM

I am disappointed at the lack of Benben/Chris Yukine crossover art.

edited 10th Feb '14 5:09:17 PM by Prime32

Diamite Rainy Echoes Since: Jul, 2013
Rainy Echoes
#834: Feb 10th 2014 at 5:10:55 PM

Since they became sentient at the same time, Benben and Yatsuhashi's bond is one that shan't be broken so easily.

Yatsuhashi doesn't have to worry about having a damaged koto, because she is the koto. Wait, then that means if she's injured, she's broken, and thus cannot perform. Never mind.

Their services are the most likely to be called upon if someone's in the mood for a good folk story.

Impostermetaknight Grand Practitioner of Fairy Logic from Studying crop circles Since: Jul, 2013 Relationship Status: Wishing you were here
Grand Practitioner of Fairy Logic
#836: Feb 10th 2014 at 6:16:34 PM

I'm not sure I have anything to say about these two. However I do have a point to make about their mentor, Raiko, whose discussion I missed by about a week (I think). But it's 2 am here and I'm too tired to say my bit now. Sorrytongue

GAP Formerly G.G. from Who Knows? Since: May, 2011 Relationship Status: In love with love
Formerly G.G.
#837: Feb 10th 2014 at 6:40:28 PM

The Tsukumo wanted to sentient and sapient creatures but the Mallet's magic could only last for so long before they become normal. Even so, I wonder how they would they would get along with Medicine? Medicine is fighting for the dolls despite the fact the they aren't really sentient as she.

"Fan, a Mega Man character."
TrueShadow1 Since: Dec, 2012
#838: Feb 10th 2014 at 6:42:58 PM

Tsukumo Sisters, eh? From what I've seen, they seem to be the least popular character of their respective game, just like the previous musician sisters...this is just a theory, but it might be caused by the fact that they're sisters, and appear as the boss of the same stage, and have a generic sibling dynamic. This causes them to be Satellite Character to each other and becomes less interesting. Compare the Scarlet ssters or the Komeiji sisters, who are both extremely popular. In both those cases, we meet one sister before the other, and we can get a grasp of their personalities separately, other than "they're sisters"

...aaaand that turned to be a theory about popularity of sisters in general instead of the Tsukumo.

In other words, how are you supposed to dodge Benben's nonspells?

Hylarn (Don’t ask)
#839: Feb 10th 2014 at 6:47:27 PM

In other words, how are you supposed to dodge Benben's nonspells?

The same way you dodge anything else? They're pure read and dodge

TrueShadow1 Since: Dec, 2012
#840: Feb 10th 2014 at 6:52:25 PM

Anyway to make it easier...? It's just waaay too dense.

Diamite Rainy Echoes Since: Jul, 2013
Rainy Echoes
#841: Feb 11th 2014 at 8:58:31 PM

Illusion Musicians Volume Two: Tsukumo String Recital. In stores now!


Fantastic Joururi
Dreaming Strings
Piano Storm
Harmonic Strings
Illusionary Rock


Not a lot of remixes. Sad, because I like their theme.

Tacitus Since: Jan, 2001
#842: Feb 11th 2014 at 10:23:32 PM

I'm waiting for a pure folk version using the appropriate instruments - that dBu remix was pretty good and came close, but I don't always like their electronic samples.

Benben and Yatsuhashi are the Tsukumo sisters, two of the biggest movers an shakers during the Miracle Mallet incident.

Come to think of it, it's a bit odd that they're the only two tsukumogami encountered during the Incident. Maybe it's due to luck or Reimu's intuition, or perhaps all the other tsukumogami are such small fry that they're indistinguishable from the fairies mowed down by the dozens. By that logic, the Tsukumos would be the most powerful of those premature tsukumogami. Maybe that's why their name is spelled with the characters for "ninety-nine," they were almost old (and powerful) enough to become tsukumogami on their own?

The two do have a sisterly dynamic, with Benben being the calm, serious, mature one, and Yatsuhashi being the hot blooded, layed back, and reckless one. The two primarily work together, though they also squabble a bit, as siblings tend to do.

It's a good dynamic that happens to raise a bunch of questions about where youkai personalities come from. Here we have two newborn tsukumogami who are most certainly not tabula rasas, so why was the biwa the blue oni and the koto the red, and not vice versa? Did the laws that govern youkai creation read into the nature of the instruments and assign the appropriate thought process? Or was it dependent on how the instruments were played, an echo of their owners? Or was it simply because the two rose in close proximity, and nature adores complementary opposites?

Their services are the most likely to be called upon if someone's in the mood for a good folk story.

Probably not as steady work as Raiko "drumroll please" Horikawa. Though they might find work as Relax-o-Vision.

I'm not sure I have anything to say about these two. However I do have a point to make about their mentor, Raiko, whose discussion I missed by about a week (I think).

I'm sure Raiko will creep into the conversation as surely as Yukari would in a Ran talk, so it should be fine.

Even so, I wonder how they would they would get along with Medicine? Medicine is fighting for the dolls despite the fact the they aren't really sentient as she.

Let's go ahead and add Medicine to the pile of "what were they doing during the Great Youkai Uprising?" pile. At this point I'm almost expecting some supplementary material devoted to answering the question.

This is just a theory, but it might be caused by the fact that they're sisters, and appear as the boss of the same stage, and have a generic sibling dynamic. This causes them to be Satellite Characters to each other and becomes less interesting.

Hmm. I was gonna suggest they were simply overshadowed by the awesomeness of the rest of the cast, but I'm not sure I could say that the rest of the DDC characters have had the sort of enthusiastic reception as the phenomenally-popular EoSD cast. Sure, each has her fans, but... I think you're right, there may not be as much "stand-aloneness" in the DDC cast in general, and the Tsukumos in particular.

Maybe this is a consequence of being newborns?

Clarste One Winged Egret Since: Jun, 2009 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
One Winged Egret
#843: Feb 11th 2014 at 10:34:54 PM

but I'm not sure I could say that the rest of the DDC characters have had the sort of enthusiastic reception as the phenomenally-popular Eo SD cast

No one's had a reception even remotely close the popularity of the ESOD cast. Comparing anything to that is just going to create disappointment.

GAP Formerly G.G. from Who Knows? Since: May, 2011 Relationship Status: In love with love
Formerly G.G.
#844: Feb 11th 2014 at 11:51:29 PM

EOSD cast are the darkhorses of the Touhou franchise especially Flandre.

edited 11th Feb '14 11:52:56 PM by GAP

"Fan, a Mega Man character."
Otherarrow Since: Jul, 2010
#845: Feb 12th 2014 at 5:30:38 AM

...That is a real good question. Why is Benben the cool one and Yatsuhashi the hotheaded one? What determined that?

I have no idea how their instruments are played, so I can't say if that would factor into it or not...

Don't PM me. We don't like being PMed.
Lightblade Since: Jan, 2001
#846: Feb 12th 2014 at 6:27:25 PM

So, who's going to be the next character to be discussed after Yumemi? I didn't see anything in the post starting the current discussion about it like usual.

I don't really have much to say about the Tsukumo sisters. I wonder if their status as "premature" tsukumogami causes "true" tsukumogami to see them differently. I have real basis for thinking this, though. It's just the first thing that popped into my head when trying to think of something on-topic to say.

Grounder Main Character Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: All is for my lord
Main Character
#847: Feb 12th 2014 at 6:49:34 PM

Actually, that gave me an idea.

Maybe the Tsukumos and Raiko are heavily looked down upon by their peers, like to the point of considering them like Frankenstein's monster, or Tsukumogami abominations.

edited 12th Feb '14 6:50:32 PM by Grounder

TrueShadow1 Since: Dec, 2012
#848: Feb 12th 2014 at 8:58:20 PM

The other day I went to a bookstore and came across something of a Youkai Encyclopedia. It includes tsukumogami, and 3 tsukumogamis are grouped together: Biwa-bokuboku, Koto-furunushi, and Shamisenchoro. It's pretty obvious what type of tsukumogami they are: biwa, koto, and shamisen respectively.

From this I have a completely baseless WMG theory: There is another Tsukumo, who is born from a shamisen. However, she "woke up" a bit later than Benben and Yatsuhashi. While they were fighting the heroine, shamisen-chan was looking for her older sisters she never met. Unfortunateky, she never managed to find them, and consequent,y never met Raiko either, so when the incident is pver she reverted back to a shamisen. RIP poor shamisen-chan.

Alternatively, she could have met Raiko before, although she never met the other Tsukumo, and somehow gathered enough power to be the (fanmade) Phantasm Boss.

Alter-alternatively, she reverted back to an object, but she was nearing 100 years old anyway, so in a few years she will reawaken as a proper tsukumogami and take revenge.

That brings into mind the question: When the tsukumogami reverts back to an object, can they reawaken as a proper tsukumogami? And will they retain their memories from when they were awoken by the mallet?

Clarste One Winged Egret Since: Jun, 2009 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
One Winged Egret
#849: Feb 12th 2014 at 9:12:44 PM

They named themselves Tsukumo. There's nothing fated or predetermined about it. If they had met a Shamisen they might have included her in their family, but they didn't so they didn't. Miss Shamisen isn't a Tsukumo and never will be.

edited 12th Feb '14 9:37:16 PM by Clarste

TrueShadow1 Since: Dec, 2012
#850: Feb 12th 2014 at 9:20:25 PM

Way to kill the fun, Clarste sad

But Benben and Tsukumo woke up at the same time, right? So I assume they were placed in close proximitu to each other when they woke up, else they won't know that they actually woke up at the same time. There may be a shamisen placed nearby them too so she might have some 'familial bond' to them.

...Bah. What I'm doing now is just justifying my Sailor Earth OC, isn't it? I wasn't really serious anyway.

That makes me think that it would be nice if ZUN creates a "faction" spread across several games, though, like how Myouren Temple gained new members in TD (although only one sticks).

edited 12th Feb '14 9:20:57 PM by TrueShadow1


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