Gattenshi Temple

Gattenshi Temple

Name
Kanji	月天子ノ寺
Rōmaji	Gattenshi no Tera
Literal English	Moon Emperor Temple
Debut
Novel	Novel Title
Appears In	Fanfiction
Temple Data
Affiliation	Mangetsugakure
Country	Land of Wolves
High Priestess	Tsukine Garō Zōge (Formerly) Atsuko (Formerly)

Gattenshi Temple (月天子ノ寺, Gattenshi no Tera) is the first and most important temple of the Land of Wolves.

Overview[]

Located in Mangetsugakure, Gattenshi Temple is sacred place where devotees congregate to meditate, ask advice, celebrate religious holidays and pray to the Moon Godess. The followers of the Moon Goddess are always allowed to get inside the temple, no matter the day or hour. They pray and offer gifts such as incense, paper craft figures and, the most important of them, water brought from another land which is poured into the pond located in the middle of the temple.

Architectonics[]

Gattenshi Temple is a serene and peaceful place known for its simplicity, elegance, and attention to detail.

The temple is situated on the mountain, overlooking Mangetsugakure. The exterior of the temple is made of wood, with a sloping roof covered in snow, and decorated with intricate carvings and symbols related to the moon.

The entrance to the temple is marked by a torii gate made of stone, with lanterns hanging from the sides to guide visitors at night. As you approach the temple, you can hear the sound of a small stream flowing nearby, and see a series of stepping stones leading up to the entrance.

Upon entering the temple, you are greeted by a large main hall with a high ceiling and a wooden floor covered in tatami mats. The walls of the hall are decorated with paintings and calligraphy related to the moon, and there is a large altar at the front of the room where offerings are made.

Behind the main hall, there is a small garden with a pond or waterfall, where visitors often meditate and contemplate the beauty of the snowy mountain landscape. The garden is designed to reflect the cycles of the moon, with circular paths and stones arranged in patterns related to lunar phases.

In addition to the main hall, there is a smaller lecture hall for teachings related to moon rituals, and a tower with multiple levels for storing sacred objects and artifacts.

Legend[]

The legend tells Gattenshi Temple was built near by the unborn Mangetsugakure, where the moonlight is stronger, to protect the villagers during a wartime previous to the warring states period. The prays of Zōge, who later bacame the first moon priestess, brought three blessings from the Moon Goddess. Three yokai were sent to protect the village: Gyokuto, Katsura and Raijū.

When the war ended, fearful that someone could steal the powers of the yokai, the priestess sealed them on a scroll and created a summon technique called Seimon. However, the techniques where hard to master and Seimon became a kinjutsu by the time Mangestugakure was founded. From there on, the most important duty of all the priestesses that succeeded her was to take care of that scroll. However, at some point, the scroll was stolen and Seimon remains lost for now.

Moon Priestesses[]

In the Land of Wolves, the moon priestess holds a special place in society. As the link between the Moon Goddess and the people, she is responsible for ensuring that the proper rituals are performed and that the Moon Goddess's will is carried out.

Each temple in the region is guarded by a moon priestess, who is appointed by the priestess of Gattenshi Temple. The priestesses are highly respected and play a vital role in the spiritual and social life of their respective communities.

The priestess of Gattenshi Temple, in particular, holds a position of great authority and prestige. She is responsible for overseeing the other moon priestesses in the region and ensuring that the temples under her jurisdiction are maintained and operated in accordance with tradition.

When the high priestess of Gattenshi Temple passes away, her successor is typically chosen from among her disciples or other high-ranking members of the temple. If she dies without naming a successor, the other moon priestesses in the region will gather to choose a replacement through a process of deliberation and consensus-building.

The selection of a new high priestess is a momentous occasion in the life of the temple and the community it serves. The new priestess will be responsible for upholding the traditions of the temple and ensuring that the link between the Moon Goddess and the people remains strong and unbroken. As such, the role of the moon priestess is not only one of spiritual leadership but also of social and cultural significance, representing the continuity of tradition and the strength of the community's bonds.

New Moon Festival[]

During the new moon night festival in Mangetsugakure, the entire village comes together to celebrate the arrival of a new lunar cycle. The festival is held in the courtyard of the temple, which is decorated with lanterns and paper cutouts of animals that symbolize the different phases of the moon.

At the start of the festival, the priestesses performs a traditional dance that tells the story of the moon's journey through the sky. The dance is accompanied by music played on traditional instruments, and the movements of the priestesses are slow and graceful, evoking the quiet beauty of the moonlit night.

After the dance, the high priestess leads a procession through the village to bless the homes and businesses of the residents. The procession is lit by torches and lanterns, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere despite the chilly air.

Back at the temple, seasonal food such are offered to the gods and shared with the villagers after midnight. The food is hearty and warming, providing sustenance during the long, cold winter nights.

Many of the children in the village wear animal masks during the festival, which are meant to represent the different animals that are associated with the phases of the moon. Some wear fox masks, which symbolize the waning moon, while others wear rabbit masks, which represent the waxing moon. The masks are brightly colored and intricately designed, and the children delight in wearing them and showing them off to their friends and family.

The new moon night festival in Mangetsugakure is a time of community, reflection, and celebration, as the villagers come together to honor the beauty and power of the moon.

Trivia[]

This place is free to use.

Tsukine bond to the Moon Goddess is so strong that she received the gift of fertility in exchange for her sight while others had paid a higher price.