HaSHIzoroe

【は死ぞろえ】

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Sekiro + Kuon mashup.

Both games helped me understand one another a little better as they both play on very similar themes at times-- I suppose because they both focus on Japanese folklore and symbolisms from such stories to expand their own. While Sekiro isn’t explicitly horror like Kuon is, it does have a lot of horror elements IN it that make its story so impactful.

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--DON’T READ IF YOU HAVEN’T PLAYED EITHER LOL--

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I noticed the centipede was used in both games for what seemed to be very similar themes. In Sekiro the centipede is a parasite that takes a host representing a form of immortality (since there’s like-- three forms of lol)-- but kind of on the corrupted side of things. It brings back a dead being to life and pilots the body essentially. There was one part in Kuon that played on that idea as well where Lady Fujiwara’s boss fight is a monstrous version of her with a centipede hosting here. It’s also noted that Kureha, in order to save herself from dying from illness, merges with a giant centipede in the wicker basket. I also noticed the centipede being used briefly in the game Yomawari. I’m not quite sure what the symbol of the centipede in japanese folklore is right now, though it seems to be something powerful.

Another thing both Sekiro and Kuon have in common is that each game has a disease-- Sekiro has dragonrot, which comes about the more Wolf dies as resurrection takes away from the living. Kuon has a sickness that causes people to rot on the outside and the only way to save themselves is to merge with other living beings.

Meanwhile both games heavily play on the idea of achieving immortality and becoming greater beings than what they already are. In Sekiro there are three forms of immortality-- The centipede, rejuvenating waters, and carp/dragon immortality (I think). Though the centipede is more like a plaga from Resident Evil 4 LOL, excessive intake of rejuvenating waters turn humans into weird carp-like creatures, which according to japanese folklore, are destined to turn into dragons if they are able to swim up a waterfall. Looking closely at the Great Coloured Carp in Fountainhead, you can see very clearly distinct human features on it which implies the carp was once a man, now on it;s way to becoming a dragon. Kuon plays on the idea of immortality through merging two living beings together. Though in the process of merging, it appears the memories of both parties involved become blurred into one and identity is more or less forgotten.

Of course both games share a lot of the same imagery as well since they take place in ancient Japan.

I rambled a LOT here HAHA. I JUST THINK BOTH GAMES ARE NEAT. And they’re both fromsoftware (despite Miyazaki having nothing to do with Kuon) and I thought it was interesting the similar themes they played on.

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Anyway heres a pretty lit piece of writing I found that more or less highlights my same thoughts:
https://surrealandcreepy.wordpress.com/2019/10/24/forbidden-rituals-giant-immortal-apes-and-grotesque-centipedes-the-connections-between-sekiro-and-kuon/