March 4th (¾) is Horismriver Day.
#3月4日はホリズムリバーの日
Let’s celebrate Gensokyo’s most popular band, Raiko & the Prismrivers!
Touhou 07 (Crystallized Silver)
—English fanlyrics—
Now that we’ve met, swear to never tell a soul…
Welcome to the winter wonderland! Join me for a tour.
What lies over ice-capped hills is a secret human eyes never knew before.
These arms will be here to guide your way, through blizzard and storm.
Wrap tight in my silver blanket, until its sweet embrace feels a little warm…
Let yourself go to the resplendent beauty of the storm!
Gaze on its bright, beautiful white form!
Don’t be afraid anymore~
Now that we’ve met, swear to never tell a soul…
But don’t forget, lest I melt away in whole…
Intense yet ephemeral are they, these remnants of snow…
By coming of spring, they cling like a dew upon the buds, nowhere left to go.
But you, like the rarest snowflake, are so firm to the core…
Your body may crystallize and be frozen in its place, shining evermore!
Become as one with the resplendent beauty of the storm!
Show me your bright, beautiful white form!
Don’t be afraid anymore~
➡️ COMMENTARY ❄️
How to flirt with a poltergeist…
This bilingual comic - read right to left - was a collaboration with my partner Lori. It appeared in Volume 5 of a Raiko-themed joint magazine (堀川雷鼓合同誌)!
I love this comic because it successfully conveys all our ideas about Raiko: That she’s a savior of tools. That she’s suave and confident. And that poltergeists and tsukumogami are very compatible species.
Once upon a time, there was a lonely young girl…
who decided to “make” her very own friends. 🎵
This awesome concert flyer was a collaboration with my partner Lori! It was done for a Raiko-themed joint zine (堀川雷鼓合同誌, Volume 4) that was actually distributed at an event in Japan. So happy to have gotten the chance to participate cross-culturally like that! The world is united in love for Touhou. 🥁💖
Touhou 18 (The Princess Who Slays Dragon Kings)
—English fanlyrics—
Carbon-crushin’, treasure-huntin’, gold-extractin’, excavating…
Heavy-duty demolition, that’s what I call entertaining!
Dealin’ out the cards, until the gamble leaves ya empty-handed.
Thought you’d be the king, here comes an ace of spades to leave ya stranded!
Everybody’s hoppin’ on the goodie-grabbin’ bandwagon.
Just remember, I’m the one with dibs on the delicious dragon!
(Heigh-ho! Heigh-ho! Heigh-ho! Heigh-ho! …)
Watch me hit the motherlode! An axe in hand, it’s time to dance.
Welcome to the underworld, where crawly low-lives have their chance!
Once I get that sparkle in my eye, I know I’m in the zone.
This here token’s taken, so ya better go and get your own!
Spendin’ endless energy to gather up a tasty ore.
Keep it rough and unrefined the whole way down the molten core!
In the mine’s a mindless maze, with walls to break at every bend.
If you’re really crafty, you might even make it to the end!
Big nuggets! A dish with diamonds in it!
I take my pick, and I can harvest the prize! Win it!
Get crackin’! Destroy a mile a minute…
‘Cause I’m addicted to a poisonous taste!!
Some strike out, and some will strike a big hit.
For me, it’s somethin’ I do just ‘cause I can! Dig it!
Plow harder! Rip out the stops, and rig it!
Who freakin’ cares about what’s goin’ to waste!?
Here’s a nifty trick to take it easy in a nice and rough way:
As they say it, eat and don’t be eaten. Dig in to the buffet!
Maybe there was plenty food already on my plate before now…
But with even higher stakes, well, ain’t this even better somehow?
Shinies all around are ripe and waitin’ under lock and chain.
Start the engine runnin’, and there’s nothin’ left to block the train!
What’s the point of pilin’ stock without no cold hard treats to show?
Best enjoy the appetizers now before they come and go!
(Heigh-ho! Heigh-ho! Heigh-ho! Heigh-ho! …)
Tears and sweat of all the players chasin’ that ethereal dream.
Think it’s stinkin’ now? It’s just the curtains of a nasty scheme.
Keep it goin’, grind the gravel, everybody knows the drill.
Guzzle up the fuel, and ride the high to feel the lowest thrill!
Teeth a hundred sinkin’ in, and hands a hundred in the pot.
Don’t go buggin’ out! The swarm is comin’, ready set or not.
Got no time to read the cryptic signs that point to damn and doom.
Mandibles a-waterin’, and all I want is to CONSUME!
Big nuggets! A dish with diamonds in it!
I take my pick, and I can harvest the prize! Win it!
Get crackin’! Destroy a mile a minute…
'Cause I’m addicted to a poisonous taste!!
Some strike out, and some will strike a big hit.
For me, it’s somethin’ I do just 'cause I can! Dig it!
Plow harder! Rip out the stops, and rig it!
Who freakin’ cares about what’s goin’ to waste!?
Big hustle! 'Cause one invites another!
Let’s dig the world into a bottomless hole, brother!
More power to burn, and air to smother!
Just keep on wrecking till there’s nothin’ to save!!
Let’s tussle! A rise, a fall, a riot!
The hype is free, but there are suckers who still buy it!
Y'all comin’ to reap the haul? Just try it!
Who freakin’ knows when this whole tunnel will cave!?
➡️ COMMENTARY ⛏️
Tsukumogami insecurities… or lack thereof. (LunaBen + RaiLyri)
[[MORE]]HEADCANON TIME:
Due to the intrinsic nature of their backstories, tsukumogami are often associated with abandonment issues or insecurity. Examples: tryhard Kogasa, vengeful Medicine.
Though she may have been insecure in the past, I see Raiko as a strong example of overcoming this.
Having already “lived for a while” as a humble tsukumogami, Raiko in DDC boldly reinvents herself under the ideal of personal freedom. She feels experienced and self-assured nowadays. Drums are strong, straightforward instruments, fitting to embody a pure confident vibe.
I think the Tsukumos, brought to life suddenly, are less secure.
The biwa is an instrument with deep, harsh distortions. Yatsuhashi comments on this in “Grimoire of Usami,” citing her koto’s sounds as more gentle… which surprised me, since Benben’s personality is supposed to be the gentler one.
Biwa often accompanies dramatic vocal narratives. What come to mind are spooky and violent stories like “Hoichi the Earless” (which is referenced in Benben’s spellcards). Maybe this tonal gap with her elegant demeanor is what makes Benben feel suitable for an interpretation that’s just a bit “off”.
Perhaps Benben is unexpectedly unstable, and Lunasa’s aura makes a good match to keep her calm and on-track.
…Or perhaps the implication of the comic is, instead, Benben just has a dark sense of humor, which can challenge and intrigue even someone as dark as Lunasa.
By the way, despite her darkness, Lunasa’s profile describes her as honest to a fault, so she would NEVER cheat! “Yandere” vibes are the funniest when they’re totally unnecessary.
I wrote a serious nuanced fanfiction (“Heartstrings”) about Lunasa & Benben helping each other through insecurities– but this is a more jokey angle on it, LOL. Either way, it’s fun to pursue some twist to the Tsukumos’ personalities, which don’t often get developed!
Prismriver with H - princely idol stage costumes 🎺🥁🎹🎻
I think it would be awesome to see a whole zine of Prismrivers (and other musician characters) in various genres of stage costumes~
Personally, my favorite fashion is ouji– and I think they pull it off impeccably.
[[MORE]]Let’s give ‘em some fanservice~ ⭐️⚡️💖
Raiko is openly passionate, while Lyrica is tsundere about PDA. Luckily, it’s common in idol bands to be a little flirty for show, right? It’s fine– it’s not gay-baiting if you are actually dating.
The vibrant feeling of inspiration strikes like lightning!⚡️
Some say that true art is…
🎻 perfection.
🎺 happiness.
🎹 innovation.
🥁 influence.
What will your song achieve?🎶
Touhou 08 (Retribution for the Eternal Night)
—English fanlyrics—
Reimu: lori-hime
Marisa: asa-turney
Still the night is staying, endlessly delaying.
Longing for the day, I’ve got a lot to do…
Listen to the hero, always floatin’ near,
and humans never fear; they know it’s up to you…
Such a nasty chore, but just like years before,
another eastern story where I set us free…
I won’t sit and bystand. Put your faith in my hands.
Now this once, just try and leave it all to me…
Time has lost its essence. I can feel the presence,
shady luminescence shed upon a crime…
What’s the use in rushin’? Ain’t no repercussion.
Stay for some ‘discussion,’ since we’ve got the time…
Double-teamed and taunting, all those airs you’re flaunting:
Maybe you’re the wanted one to talk to…
Words, y'know, are cheap. The only way to keep me
wide awake from sleep is pure danmaku!
Deep in those halls, (“Get through me first!”)
Some culprit calls. (“I hear ya.”)
Home in on one. (“Keep that focus!”)
Watch how it’s done. (“Oh~”)
Let’s make things hot! (“I’m ready now.”)
Take your best shot! (“Blink and miss it~”)
Heartfelt and true, (“Since when?”)
This one’s for you!
Forces of nature and forces of will:
They’ll have all met their match by the new day.
Under the stars, these spells of ours
Will be clashing to find their way.
Black and white and red painting the night sky,
The hands of the clock start to run late.
On two different flights, drawn by one light,
That our paths cross is only fate!
Don’t get too cute. (“I can’t help it~”)
Move and I’ll shoot! (“Ha!”)
What’s there to prove? (“There’s no need.”)
Shoot and I’ll move! (“What?”)
Make no mistake. (“If I can’t win ya…”)
My walls won’t break. (“Won’t let no one—”)
—else take that spot! (“Together, then…”)
Endless or not… (“Let’s end this!”)
➡️ COMMENTARY ⛩️🌟
[[MORE]]Prismriver × CHUNITHM
Last year, I got a chance to play the rhythm game called CHUNITHM at a local arcade! It feels so much fun to play. The way you tap the ground slider, and then you have to lift your hands to hit air notes… Apparently, the experience is meant to resemble playing something more like a stringed instrument? But it really specifically made me feel like I was playing an illusionary keyboard. And so, of course, I wanted to draw Lyrica playing.
Lyrica would be awesome at it, like she is with most instruments~ She deserves a chance to look cool while showing off her skills. Raiko, who is obviously a rhythm game master in her own right, gives her full support.
Now, if I can someday full-combo the highest difficulty of “Rapid Ensemble”…
I commissioned this beautiful work from the artist Cansuke (缶助)… to illustrate my Touhou fanfiction about Benben and Lunasa.
The eldest Prismriver, gloomy and serious, exudes a classical air of maturity. The eldest Tsukumo, eloquent and thoughtful, admires this maturity while questioning her own.
A slow sweet song that muses on art, purpose, emotion, imposter syndrome, and love that transcends sadness.
Poltergeists are known for playing music hands-free.
Can the tsukumogami instruments convince them otherwise?
[[MORE]]
Raiko & Lyrica - Sounds of the Storm
“Are you telling me you know how sounds are made? How about the sound of thunder falling? The sound of wind rustling through the trees? I bet you can’t explain a single one. The person using the sounds is what’s amazing, not how the sounds are produced.” —Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red
You think so…? Sure, you could say I like them a normal amount!
By the way— check out my website full of curated art links, my and my partner’s personal works, our collection of magnificent commissions, sourced merchandise, cosplays, canon and headcanon information, and passionate essays on what makes them a perfect pair!!! 🥁🎹🥁🎹🥁🎹
On that note, I know someone who would be thrilled for a trip to the afterlife. Please make sure she knows that I referred her. ♥
Shout-out to Parsee for being the most tsundere and the most yandere Touhou character at the same time. 💚
Genshin Impact x Touhou Project outfit swaps~ (part 3)
Yuyuko Saigyouji / Hu Tao: one who accompanies the dead as they cross over, perhaps a bit too quirky and cheery for her profession, with a touch of poeticism on the side. 👻
Marisa Kirisame / Yoimiya: a hearty, hands-on pyrotechnic who can’t get enough of raw firepower, and we’ll count on her to solve troublesome incidents! 🎆
Tenshi Hinanawi / Childe: a “young noble” who loves to fight for fighting’s sake… also, something about fish. 🐟
Kaguya Houraisan / Raiden Ei: eastern royalty who holds the power of eternity, and who might have garnered a grudge or two against her over the years. 🍡
