Hell Teacher Nube 63

The Kuchisake-Onna: an infamous youkai who brought fear to the children of Japan, Nube revealed the sad truth of her being a half-youkai possessed by an animal spirit! But not all of her legends have been revealed yet...

#63: The Tale of the Three Kuchisake Sisters

71.
Narrator: Kuchisake-Onna: since a boom where schools all over the nation were ensnared in terror in the 1980s, it has now thoroughly been established as “a great wonder of the campus”.
(TN: Again we have used “Nanafushigi”, which literally translates as “seven wonders”, but since it’s tough to really state what the seven wonders really are, I ended up translating it as “great wonder”)
Narrator: But in #31, its true form was understood as being a helpless spirit that was possessed by an animal spirit by the activities of Nube; it was thought to seem as a temporary resolution, but…
Caption: To know of it, read Vol. 4 of the comic!
Narrator: However…the tale of the Kuchisake-Onna has not ended yet.
Narrator: That’s because………

72.
Narrator: The Kuchisake-Onna is three sisters…

73.
Announcer: Of the rumors of the Kuchisake-Onna, among them there are “she wears a red coat and white pantaloons”, “she drives in a red sports car”, “she can run 100 m in 3 seconds”, she is well seen in places composed of “Three””, but among them the most prominent is the theory of the Three Kuchisake Sisters.
(TN: A couple notes:
-The “places composed of “San”/”Three” part is in connection to the places that the Kuchisake-Onna goes to having the kanji for “Three” at the start of its name
-(TN: While “Kuchisake-Onna” is just enough to stay in Japanese, the name here for the “Three Kuchisake Sisters” in Japanese is “Kuchisake Sanshimai”; while I find it fine to keep “Kuchisake” as is, I didn’t think it was any harm to translates the “Three Sisters” part.)
TV: Wide Show: Pressing the Mystery of the Kuchisake-Onna!!
(TN: A “Wide Show” is a particular type of tabloid show found in Japan which picks up and sensationalizes various aspects of news, particularly scandal)
TV: Do the Three Kuchisake Sisters really exist!!
SFX: Jajaja—n!
Kyouko: Is what’s on TV true?
Nube: Du—mmy, isn’t it simply rumor? Within those who widen rumors are those people who pick at both the caudal and dorsal fins.
(TN: While I can’t quite figure out what Nube means by this, the original expression he uses is “obiresebire ga tsuitatte yatsu”. “Obire” is Japanese for “caudal fins” [the fin on a fish used on propulsion] while “sebire” is the “dorsal fins” [the side fins used to protect the fish from rolling and help it turn]. I guess it could translate into “people who pick at the “ends of things” forcing them out in the open like the tails and back fins of a fish, but, as I said, I really couldn’t find any straight meaning and have made an interpretation as to what Nube is trying to say)
Nube: The Kuchisake-Onna is entirely a lone-wolf without any relatives.
SFX: Kotsu…kotsu…kotsu…
Kyouko: Right—then, they’re the same as Nube.
Nube: ……don’t say that foolish thing and go home quickly.
Voice: Nueno-sensei.

74.
“Short-Hair Kuchisake”: Are you the teacher Nueno Meisuke?
Nube: Ye…yes, but what exactly are you……
“Short-Hair Kuchisake”: Some time ago, my little sister was indebted to you. I heard her tale.
Nube: Li…little sister?
Kyouko: It…can’t be.
“Short-Hair Kuchisake”: I will stop with the dull story. I am the eldest Kuchisake-Onna sister.

75.
(TN: Yeah, this is extremely random but Kyouko is holding up the “Spiral Heart Moon Rod”, the main weapon of Sailor Moon during the “S” season…yeah, you probably can now wonder why people think she’s like the lead of that show, aside from…you know, her pigtails. Of particular note: Sailor Moon S was the season on air at the time of the chapter’s publishing in 1994.)
SFX: Ba!
Nube: No~~good day to you, welcome, is Miss Kuchisake si…single?
SFX: Dere
Kyouko: Nube, how is that; is she for real? She doesn’t have a slit-mouth but
Nube: Kuchisake-Onna are half-youkai…ye…yes, I truly can feel youki…

76.
“Eldest Kuchisake”: I’m different from my little sisters; I was strong with my spiritual power by birth. Even now, where I’ve become a Fujourei due to this, I can clear up my conscious and can hide my slit-mouth.
(TN: I sort of don’t really know if I’m going to go with “Fujourei” or “Impure Spirit” from now on considering I know I used “fujourei” once and may have used “impure spirit” for another. At this moment, I will use “fujourei” since I did use the term once)
Kyouko: She can change her face? She has changed into a youkai.
Nube: For what purpose have you come here? I don’t think it was for saying thanks?
“Eldest Kuchisake”: I do have one today. I’ve come to make a request.
Kyouko: A…red sportscar
“Eldest Kuchisake”: How about it: please come together with me.
“Eldest Kuchisake”: As is the rumors: we are three sisters.
“Eldest Kuchisake”: It’s merely that the difference from me is that my two little sisters don’t possess spiritual power and are helpless wandering spirits who prowl and walk through towns. On top of that, my little sisters don’t have a conscious they can clear by themselves. They truly are pitiful.

77.
“Eldest Kuchisake”: First we’ll go meet with the girls. Both of them should be prowling around towns like wandering spirits today as well.
Sign: SANDA – EXIT
(TN: There are two areas with this name and either probably could work for what the name is:
-There actually is a city known as “Sanda”, located in Hyougo Prefecture, 25km north of Kobe
-The more logical choice based on them staying in/around Tokyo is “Mita”, which is in reference to a railway station in Minato ward, close to the main campus of Keio University)
“Middle Kuchisake”: Am I pretty?
Boy: Eh? You’re pretty.
“Middle Kuchisake”: Even like this…?

78.
Boy: Uwaaaa, the Kuchisake-Onna!
Boy: No—
SFX: Kiii
“Eldest Kuchisake”: Akemi!
Caption: Second Daughter: Akemi

79.
“Eldest Kuchisake”: Alright alright, you’re coming with. Calm down and we’ll go home.
Akemi: Uuh…gururu…
Kyouko: Just a moment……
“Eldest Kuchisake”: What’s left is the third sister Honomi.
(TN: Considering last time and process of elimination, Honomi is the Kuchisake-Onna from #31)
“Eldest Kuchisake”: That girl is always being cruely bullied with her timidness.
Sign: Sankendjaya
(TN: “Sankendjaya” is in reference to an area around a train station in Setagaya, Tokyo. Usually this area is a rest-stop for those from the country just before they enter Tokyo, thus getting its name due to the “three tea houses” [the first three kanji in it’s name] in the area)
“Eldest Kuchisake”: She should be around here.
SFX: Batan!
Kyouko: Another place composed with “Three”…why…
“Eldest Kuchisake”: Mu?

80.
Newscaster: This is the 3 o’clock widesho—w. Today we’re going after the rumor of the Kuchisake-Onna departing here—our guest today is spiritualist Honda Mudo he—re.
(TN: A slight note: this particular newscaster is actually sort of a recurring character in this series; just wanted to alert you for her appearance at this time since you will see her a few more times in the series’ run)
Honda Mudo: Ha—I can feel her, I can feel her on this street~~
Newscaster: Ah, that woman is suspicious. Hello the—re; are you the Kuchisake-onna---!!
Caption: Third Daughter: Honomi

81.
Honda Mudo: I feel it: I feel maliciousness; are you an evil spirit---!?
SFX: Ga
Newscaster: Ah! Don’t go there; she’s an ordinary…!
Newscaster: Eh
SFX: Harari
Newscaster: Eh~~what is that~!? Is that for real~~!? Kyaaaaaaa
Honda Mudo: Wh…wh…what!
Cameraman: We’ve done it: a scoop

82.
SFX: Su
Cameraman: !!
Newscaster: Th…there are two Kuchisake-Onna!? Wh…what exactly is going on?
Cameraman: Stop, the camera!!
Akemi: Hiiiii
Producer: Quickly a new camera. What an ugly monster!
SFX: Wa—wa—
Cameraman: This will firmly give us 20% ratings.
“Eldest Sister”: Please act properly, all of you. I too am one who is at the limit of patience.

83.
SFX: Peron
Voice: Waaaaaaaaaa!
Newscaster, Cameraman & Honda Mudo: Gyaaaa: the Three Kuchisake Sisters

84.
“Eldest Kuchisake”: Hmph!
SFX: Hiku hiku…hiku hiku…
Kyouko: Hieeee~~I shouldn’t have come—
“Eldest Kuchisake”: That’s us, the three sisters.
“Eldest Kuchisake”: And…the home where we live is in San* City; therefore we well appear in places composed with “Three”…
Sign: San* City (Drive Safely)
(TN: We never really find out what city this is…but considering how many cities have the “Three” kanji as the first one, I chose not to figure it out on my own)

85.
Nube: This is a very splendid building.
Kyouko: Why is the Kuchisake-Onna that are complete sisters…
Nube: That’s…an Inugami…!!
(TN: An “inugami”, which literally translates into “dog god”, typically is a type of Shikigami based on a dog that acts on behalf of it’s own in delivering vengeance.)
“Eldest Kuchisake”: Yes…our family lineage is Inugami-tsuki. Does this just have you understand?
Kyouko: Inugamitsuki…?
(TN: Obviously “Inugamitsuki” = “Possessed by Inugami”)
Nube: A black magic handed down since ancient times. They held ceremonies where they sacrificed dogs and appeared to gain wealth and fame.

86.
Nube: In truth, they were prosperous in that era, with wealth and fame to their heart’s content…but several generations after, they had befall on them the grudge of the numberless dogs they killed.
“Eldest Kuchisake”: That is us…we have come to have these forms due to the grudge of the Inugami. Ever since they died and became spirits, the possessing Inugami are prowling around the present age in this form without leaving.
Nube: That’s pitiful……
“Eldest Kuchisake”: Even this house has gone across human hands; the new owner is going to destroy this here and is going to build large apartments. But to us, just this house is our resting place.
“Eldest Kuchisake”: This here is…all of our remaining assets. This is for my request.
(TN: Not quite sure if this has to do with the “request” of the Kuchisake sisters…or a reward for helping collect the little sisters of the elder. It could be interpreted either way)

87.
Sign: Otaki Real Estate
(TN: I’m not sure if the first kanji on the door had any meaning and I couldn’t quite read it, so I just made it “Otaki Real Estate”)
Kyouko: Ama~~zing, Nube, you’ve become very rich--!
Sign: This is My Estate, No Tresspassing –Nueno
Nube: They’re just borrowing the name. The rest of the money must be allotted for lot taxes.
Nube: They’ll live there without the house being destroyed for the moment…even I can’t erase all of the Inugami’s grudge as much as I like…this is what I’ve done now with all my might.
Narrator: From then on, the women wandered through towns, and when tired, they returned to that house.
Narrator: People who happen to pass nearby occasionally will hear laughing that leaks out.
Akemi: Ufufu
Honomi: Ahaha

88.-89.
Caption: They are the Three Kuchisake Sisters…
Middle Sister: Akemi
Elder Sister: Hiromi
Younger Sister: Honomi

Caption: Where exactly is this Kuchisake mansion…perhaps they may be living in your town.

90.
RETURN OF THE GREAT YOUKAI ENCYCLOPEDIA

#4: Inugamitsuki

Oosaki, Kuda, Izuna, Toubyou and Inugami are well known as the animal spirits who possess humans. Investigating by region, the Kantou region has Oosaki, Kuda in Koushinetsu, Touhoku region has Izuna and Chuugoku and Shikoku has Toubyou. Inugami are mostly seen in Chuugoku, Shikoku and Kyuushuu. They generally take the form of dogs or wolves. (Izuna resemble stoats, the colleagues of weasels) Inugamitsuki have been feared by people since ancient times; the Mitsumine Shrine of Chichibu has furnished Inugami in place of Komainu for this reason.

So then, is what is called Inugamitsuki some sort of symptom of an illness? I went extremely extensively investigating it and it didn’t specify a single illness. In households that have become rich and again in households that have become poor, it is believed to be caused by Inugamitsuki. Perhaps originally it was thought to be an illness that was carried by an animal like rabies, but it isn’t understood clearly. By the way: it’s best to place grave moss beneath your futon or pillow when judging whether you’re an Inugamitsuki or you’re not. If you’re an Inugamitsuki, understand quickly that you will be hated. (I think you’ll be hated by everyone but…) Further, if you strike your chopsticks on your rice bowl like a chanchiki, it is said that an Inugami will come. Aren’t there also readers who did that as a child and angered them?

(TN: There are quite a few notes this time around so I essentially will just go through them one at a time so it doesn’t get confusing
1. Most of the names at the start are all assumably various variations of “Inugami” by region, but the regions of Japan are rather tough to keep track of. A brief rundown:
-Kantou = the Tokyo area, made up of the 7 prefectures of Gunma, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Saitama, Tokyo, Chiba and Kanagawa
-Koushinetsu = a sub-region of Chubu made up of the prefectures of Yamanashi, Nagano and Niigata
-Touhoku = the prefectures of northern Honshu, including Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi and Yamagata
-Chuugoku = the southern area of Honshu island, made of the prefectures of Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori and Yamaguchi
-Shikoku = A small island between Honshu and Kyuushuu considered part of the “main four island”
-Kyuushuu = the southern-most of the four main islands
2. While I mentioned them as “stoats” in the translation, they also go by the name of “ermine”. “Mustela erminea” (the small “weasel-colleague” as it is mentioned here) usually goes by either of these two names, with “stoat’ when it has brown fur during the year and “ermine” when completely white in the winter. (BTW: keep in mind the concepts of “Izuna”, “Tohoku” and “ermine/stoats” for…future keeping)
3. Mitsumine Shrine is a shrine located in the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park, near the town of Chichibu in Saitama Prefecture. (Though the park is at an intersection of Saitama, Yamanashi, Nagano and Tokyo prefectures.) The shrine is known for its connection to the Inugami as well as for having a relaxing hot spring many hike up for.
4. A “chanchiki” is a small brass object shaped like an ashtray usually used as an instrument akin to a cymbal.)

TN: Its an ending like that which makes you wish that Akemi and Honomi...gained a bit of big sis's power in controlling the Inugami. It does seem rather weird that only Hiromi would be powerful enough to suppress it but ultimately they are family so of course...a family that smiles together stays together. I may have mentioned back with the first Kuchisake-Onna chapter that we were going to go into a few more of the "legends of the Kuchisake-Onna" that were mentioned at a later time...well, this is essentially when. Seeing all the weird coincidences and connections regarding the sisters (and seeing Kyouko slowly go crazy in how much of the rumors were true) show that everything seems to have a reason in this world of youkai. It does feel weird it was only Kyouko who met up again with the Kuchisake trio but...she probably was mostly just there to give a student's side of things. (in general, one of the students seems to show up in every single Nube chapter...except one but that won't be for a long, long while yet)