#utayama

[random-shenanigans2]

Just a little Utayama x Awashima thing I made (Kitagawa is their daughter, she told me herself)

Their ship name is Singing-Island!

[r-underscore-g]

In love with this moth lady, I'm so sorry in advance for the person I will become when I get to watch this movie

[purplealmonds]

When would something as immovable as a mountain "sing"? 🏔️🎵

Utayama -歌山 - translates to "Song of the Mountain" or "Singing Mountain." Given my theory that Karkasa has thematic overtones of the various interactions between the earth and water elements (check the replies of this community post!), it is a very, very interesting name for the head of the ooku.

More lore-based spoilers below the cut!

To reiterate the relevant bits of my theory, the ooku (earth), has an overacting, or excessively destructive relationship to the karakasa (water) by damming it up and prevent it from flowing freely. Indeed, the waters within the ooku sit stagnant within bowls and the depths of a bottomless well.

One would think the name Utayama will be the very embodiment of that principle.

However!!! Consider this: her character bio states that despite her strict demeanor, she is deeply concerned for the women in her ooku. And many other characters within the cast seem to be plotting for her downfall.

I ask again: when would something as immovable as a mountain "sing"? During a mudslide or an avalanche - both of which can be caused by severe (water-based) weather conditions.

If my predictions are correct, Utayama will become the key catalyst to shake up the very foundations of the ooku at the expense of her previously unshakeable authority.

[animemakeblog]

“Mononoke: Karakasa Movie” The Second Trailer, July 26 Premiere

The official Mononoke anime movie website unveiled a second trailer. On July 26, Mononoke: Karakasa, the film, will premiere in Japanese theatres.

[ackerghoul]

fics i’ve written but i’ll never finish pt. 348: heartbroken shuu finds out about uta’s shapeshifting abilities...  

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[random-shenanigans2]

Mononoke theory: Are Utayama and Tenshi related? And is Utayama royalty?

Hello Mononoke fans, if you stuck by my TikTok account for a bit, you might see that I personally headcanon Emperor Tenshi and Lady Utayama as half siblings, but is there proof to back that up?

Now, as we all know, Utayama held the rank of Ō-Toshiyori (Elder Lady) around the events of the first Mononoke film. Interestingly, we don’t get much information about Utayama’s past, other than she comes from a noble family and that Utayama herself is quite secretive but dedicated to her job. Now you may ask, why does Utayama’s rank and hierarchical standing matter to a silly headcanon? Well, historical wise, many Ō-Toshiyori’s were typically elder, educated women from samurai, noble, or potentially royal backgrounds, but Utayama has one special thing to consider. In the second film, Mononoke: Hinezumi, Utayama’s father is among the men who have administered for the Ooku. While Utayama’s clan has been “abolished” after the death of Utayama, it’s likely that the clan was powerful enough to hold influence within Japan’s politics, specifically within the Ooku. So, with that in mind, Utayama’s clan would have likely been political allies to the royal family for years on end, further showcasing possible interconnections between clans. So funny enough, Utayama Sr (Utayama’s father) and Suikyoin could have possibly been a thing in the past.

While that could provide logistical support, we can also look at character design to help. Through a kimono analysis made by the lovely @purplealmonds (go check them out), the colors for royal kimonos consist of red, white, and black. Utayama’s kimono has two of these colors, but it’s hard to tell since she wears a purple haori over her kimono which conceals details about the potentiality of what her kimono may have looked like. Another thing to point out, the kimono is also layered similarly to the kimono of Tenshi’s mother, Suikyoin, which contrasts to other maids of the Ooku (Ex; Awashima or Kitagawa). But, it can be put into consideration that royal kimonos may vary, as Lady Yukiko has a green obi. And this is a small design that I like, but Utayama and Tenshi have hair that semi-resembles the wings of certain species of moths, but that’s likely just a design choice. But uniquely, Utayama bares some resemblances to Suikyoin, like facial structure, expressions, and even with the nose shape from certain angles (specifically the side profile). While this could also be a major misconception, they still have a fair resemblance to each other, even though Suikyoin is elderly so she’d naturally look a bit different from Utayama. While Tenshi on the other hand bares only a few resemblances to Utayama, and none to her father so it’s possible that they share the same mother, but different fathers, which could also impact if Utayama is technically royalty or just a noblewoman of an extremely high rank.

(Items of similarities I made and highlighted)

Another thing, Utayama’s dedication to her job directly impacted certain aspects of Tenshi’s rule within the Ooku. Specifically, involving his children (The postponement of the Birthing Ceremony, concerns about his bloodline, etc), or the oppressive settings of the Ooku that have likely been used for generations, causing heavy tension throughout the first film as she enforces these rules to a major extent, but it’s almost like if she grew up with these rules and simply went along with it because of how she views work. With that mindset, it could be possible that she grew up in a setting where these ideals were heavily rooted, and what area could better influence feelings than the Ooku itself? In rare events, a emperor’s sister could live within the Ooku at a young age, so if Utayama had lived within the Ooku since childhood, it’s likely where her seriousness and unbinding commitment to the Ooku and Tenshi would have started from, as her guidance has made many into hard workers, even though it made them lose themselves in the process. Utayama herself has lost herself to a role within the Ooku’s inner chambers, to the point where it became oppressive for many who worked with her. That is what many noblewomen possibly grew up with, which makes me believe that Utayama had some outer influence growing up which influenced her, like Suikyoin whose concerns are typically over Tenshi’s rule. But hey, it’s just a theory.

I might make a part two, but this is just some of my rants about my favorite Mononoke character. I’d love to hear anyone else’s ideas in the comments!

[notsoredhotchilipepperz]