Due to the volatile nature of this unknown and secluded island, many stranded people started to fight over the ownership of the island, resulting in "old guard" (descendants of the Wadanojin's (大海乃神) crew) being either overthrown or mixed with the new inhabitants. One of the few remaining branches was the Wadano clan (大海乃氏), most specifically its priests. Since they were directly related to Wadanojin, they were respected and/or feared by its inhabitants. However even that influence dwindled as by the 11th generation, they were seen as nothing but the servants of the god; this was the island of low-lifes after all. Despite this, they were still respected by the locals
And here we arrive to the infamous 13th generation priest - Wadano no Tenmuyonji (大 海乃の天無四時). At first they were respected like the previous priests, however one day - the traveling merchant has arrived to the Asahimura (朝日村). That merchant seemed to have everything that villagers wanted, which was deemed suspicious by the head priest. They tried to warn the village's chieftain about the merchant, but the chieftain saw no harm in that merchant. It took the said merchant to propose to the chieftain's daughter, Urime (瓜芽), to make chieftain kick him out of the village.
However, that merchant had different plans. He snuck up to the window of the chieftain's daughter at night and he tricked her into letting him in. Since that merchant was a powerful youkai, he made it so that her screams were not heard from the outside of her room. Only Tenmuyonji, who was taking a late night stroll, could hear her cries of help.
They permanently scarred the merchant's face and drove him away from the village - but the damage was already done. The chieftain's daughter was defiled and Tenmuyonji was berated for their incompetence.
It was later found out that Urime was impregnated with the wicked merchant child and the village opted to let her birth the child, only for it to be killed by the priest. Many hated Tenmuyonji, but some expressed sympathy - the reason why Tenmuyonji wasn't accused of defiling Urime is because of her stepping up for them. And when the child was born, they didn't have the heart to kill the child and opted to raise as their own disciple.
The child was kept in secret presumably for 12 years before they were found out to be a child of Urime which angered the chieftain and as a result Tenmuyonji was executed by hanging, having a white sack on their head - thus making them have a resemblance to "Teru-Teru-Bozu" dolls.
What the inhabitants didn't know at the time is that they incurred the wrath of not only Tenmuyonji, but of Wadanojin as well. The island was struck with thick fog and famine caused by constant floods and droughts at irregular intervals. It was referred to as the curse of "Curse of Tenmuyonji". And when the islanders started to go insane, they swore they saw a vengeful spirit lurking around with priest's robes who sought a sacrifice. Tenmuyonji basically became the Tatarigami of Kirishima who held the villagers hostage as they couldn't leave the island.
There were multiple records of death records that were allegedly made by Tenmuyonji. Ranging by the death of asphyxiation to outright vivisection of victims. Their victims are either unfortunate souls who happen to stumble upon them or so-called "prayers" - people who were stranded on this island after the curse. I'm one of them.
It is said that the Tenmuyonji is the culprit behind the 63 year war on this island. They were responsible for the famine that struck the island after all. They say that the reason war lasted this long was because Tenmuyonji practically forced everyone to continue before they got bored (or until Wadanojin was satisfied, there are a lot of conflicting records)
They were also frequently seen with their Amanojaku "shikigami". As I soon found out (which wasn't documented elsewhere), amanojaku serves as the "vessel" that allows Tenmuyonji to traverse around the island. Believe it or not, if Tenmuyonji appears without them - it's a mere illusion made by fog. It made my life whole lot easier knowing this... Though I should look out for the amanojaku and their newfound friend since they can operate without Tenmuyonji.
You know, the more I look into their history, the more it feels like Tenmuyonji became the scapegoat of Kirishima. Do not get me wrong, I am one of their numerous victims and if not for rare finds and few survived records of their diary - I would've also thought that Tenmuyonji cursed this island out sheer malice, but...
I swear I'm going insane. Ever since they graced me with their presence, I feel like I'm slowly becoming obsessed with them - it's not healthy.
But if there's a solace, there are efforts being made into pacifying Tenmuyonji, which should reduce the casualties (unfortunately one of the shrines turned out led by Tenmuyonji imposter/fanatic who participated in brutal killings, who also murdered his own brother while trying to hunt me down)
I wonder if I'll see them again...
- Sunao Fujisaki (藤崎・巣菜御)