Chapter 98

Prologue, The Kindling God

Since ancient times, fire has been worshipped across the world.

Fire worship tends to be associated with Zoroastrianism, also known as the fire-worshipping religion, but strictly speaking, the Avesta does not treat fire itself as an object of worship.

Even earlier, around 500 BCE, the Vedas compiled in India described the fire god as a mediator between gods and humans. This belief was inherited by Hinduism and later by Mahayana Buddhism, and in Shinto, it is accepted as a protective element in the goma fire ritual.

A representative example of fire worship in Japan would be the hearth deity.

The hearth deity, who dislikes impurity and favors cleanliness, is closely tied to the nature of fire. In folk customs, this was rooted in daily life—for instance, burning hair or nails in the hearth, or avoiding sexual activity near it.

However, fire has not always been revered as something entirely free of impurity.

For example, after purification, the head priest involved in a divine ritual must avoid defilements such as death, childbirth, and meat consumption, which are symbolized by the character for "shared fire."

Additionally, fires are considered defilements of destruction. Those affected by fire could not enter the court until they underwent purification, and the buildings where fires originated were socially sanctioned. Burnt tiles and nails had to be buried in the ground for a certain period before reuse was permitted.

The Engishiki also contains references to "defilement by accidental fire," indicating that the perception of fire as impure due to conflagration has deep historical roots.

The difference between ritual bonfires or hearths and house fires lies in whether fire is under human control.

Fire, while pure when used in daily life or divine rituals, becomes a target of defilement like a plague once it escapes human hands and takes lives.

Recently, urban legends whispered among occult enthusiasts under names like "Flame Man" or "Fire Monster" seem, in the author's humble opinion, to closely reflect this concept of defilement brought on by fear of fire.

When our magazine featured this topic in a special year-end issue last year, we only collected rumors, but this time, we would like to delve deeper into the analysis.

What deserves attention is the appearance locations of Flame Man. The rumors mainly center around the downtown areas of Tokyo, such as Sumida Ward and Koto Ward. Notably, sightings have also occurred at religious sites like Meiji Shrine and Sensoji Temple, which are supposed to be sacred.

These details evoke memories of the Tokyo Air Raids.

Sumida Ward and Koto Ward were at the heart of the destruction, and it is well known that places like Meiji Shrine were also affected.

Could Flame Man be a manifestation of the lingering fear of fire as a defilement from the destruction that still haunts Tokyo?

Now that the postwar era feels increasingly distant, perhaps its reappearance is tied to the recent anxieties brought on by the intensifying Cold War.

As a mere fringe occult enthusiast, the author can only hope that our magazine continues to treat paranormal phenomena as a kind of fantasy, and prays for peace.

Monthly Occult Magazine 'Terrible Japan' *Now Discontinued

March Issue, Showa 83: "Tokyo Urban Legends" Feature, from "Continued Horror! Flame Man Lurking in Tokyo"

Author: Reizei Aoi