By the way, what's up with these lanterns, anyway?

Hmm? Ah, yes. This is originally a Taoist festival.

Oh, so these are yours?

I suppose the villagers visiting the Mausoleum spread the idea?

...In any case, it doesn't have much to do with religion.

In Japan, I believe it's a folk festival with its origins in onmyoudou.

...The shrine maiden is praying

The monk is standing guard

...and the Taoist is just spectating innocently.

Hahaha

I really don't mind, though.

Even the Village was quite gorgeous, wasn't it?

The lantern festival, a custom started by Taoists, somehow managed to spread in form only. All around the Village, without knowing the reason, with no regard for religion, everyone is putting up lanterns anyway.

One could call it irresponsible...

The people of this land really are mixing things up. Miko

That goes for Taoism, too... no, all cultures are the same in that sense. Hijiri

Besides, aren't you the one who was Buddhist and Shintoist in public

yet secretly devoted to Taoism?

As is typical... no, I suppose you could be called the pioneer of those attitudes?

Prince Shoutoku?

...What do you believe in, I wonder?