Changes to my Making a God (Noragami) fanfic
I had planned to include haikus as chapter summaries in my fic but didn't until now. Partly because it felt pretty cringy and partly because I'm not a fan (and my understanding of poetry is rudimentary). But as I researched, my interest was renewed.
Chapter 1: Spider Silk
"Mere octopus traps,
Evanescent dreams beneath
A midsummer moon."
- Matsuo Bashō
I thought this imagery of a trapped animal realising too late how dire the situation is, went perfectly with the first chapter's last awful event.
Chapter 2: Forgotten Relics
"Autumn moonlight -
A worm digs silently
Into the chestnut."
- Matsuo Bashō
This chapter is about how even the way they started off wasn't innocent and has poisoned the seed of whatever they try to become.
Chapter 3: Lost Souls
"A weathered skeleton
In windy fields of memory
Piercing like a knife."
- Matsuo Bashō
Pretty much the imagery of something in the past haunting Yato.
Chapter 4: Righteous
"Bathed and topknot set
A head fragrant so not to offend
The master of the katana."
- unknown
This poem made me think of trying to live up to the expectations of a master. It also made me think of ritual suicide, how (if I'm understanding it correctly) it was a way to atone and purify. While Yato is very anti-suicide, he is yearning for atonement and to be cleansed of his past actions. Either way, it felt very apt.
Chapter 5: Cold Hands
"Night; and once again
The while I wait for you cold wind
Turns into rain."
- Masaoka Shiki
Yato pre-emptively grieving essentially, lol.
Chapter 6: Sky Blue
"A jag of lightening
Then flitting toward the darkness
A night heron's scream."
- Matsuo Bashō
I really like the imagery here and thought it went perfectly with Yato's eyes and how fierce he can be.
Chapter 7: Flowing Rivers
"First autumn morning
The mirror I stare into
Shows my father's face."
- Murakami Kijo
I picked this in relation to a decision Yato makes that proves Rabou right: “Only fools can hope to change the course of rivers.” and "It is hard to imagine a history that does not repeat itself." and how Yato is being influenced by his Father.
Chapter 8: Family
"From time to time
The clouds give rest
To the moon-beholders."
- Matsuo Bashō
This poem gives me chill vibes. Like negative things having a silver lining... like Yukine being brought to this place that Rabou has total control over ("None may enter without my invitation. None may leave without my permission.") but it ends in a BBQ.
Chapter 9: Forge
"While you decline to cry,
high on the mountainside
A single stalk of plumegrass wilts."
- Ō no Yasumaro
Basically, Yato pushing away all his feels until a later time.
Chapter 10: Nigimitama | Calm of Spirit
"Inhale, exhale
Forward, back
Living, dying:
Arrows, let flown each to each
Meet midway and slice
The void in aimless flight
Thus I return to the source."
– Gesshu Soko
This is actually a death poem (jisei) which (from my limited understanding) is basically a last hurrah or a farewell to life one would write as death approached. It was written by a Zen Buddhist teacher. I was surprised by the way it mirrored some moments in my fic (Living, dying -> the rebirth of Gods; Arrows, let flown each to each -> their fights; midway and slice -> their first fights, etc) and thought it would make a good snapshot.
Chapter 11: Sleet
"The crow has flown away;
Swaying in the evening sun,
A leafless tree."
- Natsume Sōseki
Rabou is the crow, Yato is the tree.
Chapter 12: Love Me
"Don’t weep, insects –
Lovers, stars themselves,
Must part."
- Kobayashi Issa
What Yato struggles with.
Chapter 13: Disciple
"Over the wintry forest,
Winds howl in rage
With no leaves to blow."
- Natsume Sōseki
Kagehime's inability act on her feelings.
Chapter 14: Aramitama | Violence of Spirit
"Although there is the road,
The child walks
In the snow."
- Murakami Kijo
Yato picking the one path no one wanted him to (which actually didn't fix things).
Chapter 15: Labour of Love
"Lighting one candle
With another candle -
Spring evening."
- Yosa Buson
It might be Christian imagery but I liked the idea of faith/love giving birth to new life.
