| Vessel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Japanese name | 器 |
| Romaji name | Utsuwa |
| Other names | — |
| Age | Varies |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Dark |
| Occupation | Rite of Descent/Rogetsu Kagura performer |
| Cause of death | Blossoming |
| Encountered in | — |
| Family | — |
| Appearances | Fatal Frame IV: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse |
| Voice actor (Jp) | — |
| Voice actor (Eng) | None |
The Vessel (器 Utsuwa) was the central figure in the Rite of Descent of Rogetsu Isle and then the Rogetsu Kagura, which is a smaller version of the rite. The Vessel dances throughout the lunar eclipse while being accompanied by five Organs.
Selection[]
It is unknown how exactly the Vessel is selected, but it is said the residents of the island recommend a woman based on both age and temperament.
The ideal is a young, but fully matured, woman, in her late teens or early 20s, who is "vestal, obedient, and impressionable" (Memo: "Special Treatment). The most important characteristics are her ability to become "one" with the music and the masks by emptying or losing her sense of self, along with innate spiritual abilities. A very strong Moonsong was required to endure the original training unscathed.
It is not necessary for the Vessel to be a native of the island, and in modern times, there was little ceremony or preparation during the selection process. Tsubaki Tono, for example, was simply asked by the islanders to fill the role, without her volunteering, going through any trials, or having her Moon Song tested.
It is unknown how the Guardians, who traditionally selected the Organs, took part in the selection of the Vessel, but as they are the best at sensing a person's Lunar Melody, it could be assumed they were an integral part in the selection process.
Preparation[]
Immediately before the dance, the Vessels and Organs had to undergo meditation and purification beneath the moonlight in the center of the Antechamber. They would then listen to the Lunar Melody from the altar and become one with their respective masks, before proceeding directly to the ritual dais.
New masks were created for each Vessel during each Rite. In the past, these masks were black. Both red and white dancing outfits have been seen in-game.
Though not specifically mentioned, training in music and dance would make sense as a form of preparation, and the Organs spend 100 days practicing their parts, so a similar time frame or longer for the the Vessel would make sense.
In the past, the Vessel was also required to participate in rituals in the Rougetsu Tunnels to ensure her suitability as a medium, consorting with spirits and becoming accustomed to the "utsusemi" (empty body) state as she bonded with her mask. She was required to spiritually die and return reborn, enabling spiritual concourse with the dead. How exactly this was done is unknown, but these preparations involved living in complete darkness for the duration of the training, which caused many maidens to go insane. Only maidens with exceptionally strong sense of self could withstand the training without losing themselves.
Modern preparation was significantly less rigorous and did not involve training in mediumship, nor require living underground.
Vessel's Mask[]
Each participant in the Rite or Kagura wore a distinct mask, created just for them, reflecting their role. These masks aided in the achievement of an empty-body, "void", state, driving the wearer to complete their role for them.
The traditional mask for a Vessel used during the Rite of Decent was plain, black, and lined with the face of a newly-deceased person, who had not Budded. The face must be removed, tanned, and purified by moonlight, before lining the inside of the Vessel's mask. The purpose of the mask was to aid the Vessel in losing her sense of self to become a void through which the spirits could pass, while still retaining an uncorrupted Moon Song, which the purified and uncorrupted face would assist with.
The two Masks of the Lunar Eclipse (the original and the recreation) were used as substitutes for the traditional mask during the failed rituals, and these masks were lined with the faces of those who had Budded.
It can be presumed that the mask used during the Rogetsu Kagura was either unlined, or else emulated the original mask.
Role During[]
The Vessel was considered an "offering" to the gods. (Tsubaki Tono's Diary). However, Rogestu Island does not worship any gods, so it would be more accurate to say the Vessel is an offering to the Dead of the island. Her mask would make her like Death.
During both the Rogetsu Kagura or the Rite of Descent, the Vessel, wearing her mask, would dance on a dais, surrounded by the five Organs. As the Organs played and sang, the Vessel would enter a trance-like state and dance from onset to completion of the lunar eclipse.
The music and dancing continued through the entire length of the lunar eclipse, becoming more and more frenetic. The Vessel's goal was to achieve a void state of "emptiness", which would allow her to act as a (literal, during the Rite of Decent, or symbolic, during the Rogetsu Kagura) conduit for the spirits of the dead. The spirits accumulated on the island would be channeled through her to the gate to the afterlife, cleansing the island.
After Ceremony Completion[]
Little is known about the fate of Vessels after they complete their dance.
There is a range of possibilities, from living perfectly ordinary lives, to dying themselves, being rendered catatonic or insane, or perhaps becoming a spiritual medium and one of the Guardians.
What is known is that there is a high chance of a Vessel's Moonsong, or soul song, being distorted by acting as the dead's conduit, and from the masks, which are designed to aid in making her forget herself and enter the desired empty-body state. This distortion may cause her to contract Moonlight Syndrome and Bud. Sakuya Haibara had been a Vessel during the 1970 Rogetsu Kagura, which lead to her contracting Moonlight Syndrome and deteriorating. Sakuya's diary entries after performing as Vessel describe being empty of her own soul, and frequently feeling as if other spirits were invading or possessing her.
If this is the effect of the substantially weaker Rogetsu Kagura, it can be construed that the impact the Rite of Decent had on Vessels was significant.
Other folklore entries likewise suggest that any of those chosen to participate in the training or rite may lose themselves to a void state, either during preparation or the rite itself, and become susceptible to Budding or Blooming.
Last known Vessels[]
There were two vessels used during the 1970 rituals, where both the Rogestu Kagura and the Rite of Descent were performed simultaneously.
Tsubaki Tono, a young nurse from the mainland, was the last Vessel for the Rogetsu Kagura. She wore a white dancing kimono and a normal, black, ritual mask. She collapsed during the dance, dying immediately of no identifiable causes. Though she did not "Bloom", her face was unrecognizable and she had to be identified via dental records.
Sakuya Haibara, daughter of hospital director Shigeto Haibara, was the last Vessel for the Ritual of Descent. This was her second time acting as Vessel, and she was suffering from Moonlight Syndrome at the time. Sakuya wore a red dancing kimono and a recreated Mask of the Lunar Eclipse. Sakuya's mask splintered and she fully Bloomed during the rite. She then collapsed into a coma.
Previous Failed Vessels[]
Prior to Sakuya dancing in the reinstated Rite of Descent in 1970, the name, identity, and date of the last Vessel to dance the Rite of Descent is unknown. She wore the first Mask of the Lunar Eclipse, and fully Bloomed during her ritual. She then wandered the island, causing the deaths and Blooming of all who saw her during the Day of Tranquility.