Kuzunoha Clan is an organization of Devil Summoners in the Megami Tensei franchise. They are entrusted by Yatagarasu with protecting the imperial capital, Tokyo.
Profile
The Kuzunoha Clan was established in the early Asuka period (592-710)[1] and has served to protect social order for over a thousand years.[2] It was founded by a group of five powerful Devil Summoners led by a practitioner of Onmyōdō and ancient Shinto. The names of the founders were subsequently passed down to other powerful members of the clan, a practice which has continued to modern times.[3] As such, the Kuzunoha clan is split into four main branch families: Kyouji Kuzunoha, Raidou Kuzunoha, Geiren Kuzunoha, and Mangetsu Kuzunoha. Within these branches, there are also derivative branch families, of which Rei Reiho is a member.[4]
The Raidou Kuzunoha branch specializes in Shinto rituals. To receive the title of "Raidou Kuzunoha", one must receive harsh training in the hidden village of the Kuzunoha.[5]
The Kuzunoha clan works closely with the Yatagarasu organization to defend Tokyo. In the Taisho period, Kuzunoha members would contact members of Yatagarasu through the Nameless Shrine. There, the Herald of Yatagarasu can use their supernatural abilities to allow the Kuzunoha clan to travel to other worlds in order to defend the capital.
List of Members
Kyouji Kuzunoha Branch Family
Raidou Kuzunoha Branch Family
Geirin Kuzunoha Branch Family
Mangetsu Kuzunoha Branch Family
Misc. Family Members
Other
Affiliates
Game Appearances
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne Maniax Chronicle Edition
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner
Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army
Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abaddon
Soul Hackers 2
Persona
Persona 2: Innocent Sin
Persona 2: Eternal Punishment
Audio Drama Appearances
Novel Appearances
Manga Appearances
Other Appearances
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner (TV Series)
Trivia
- Any skilled member of the Kuzunoha Clan can perform the Shinsen no Jutsu,[a] a technique that allows the user to transfer their soul to another body. The users of this technique have a longer lifespan than that of an ordinary person. Due to this, multiple people have been able to perform their duties as Raidou Kuzunoha for over a century.[6]
- The Kuzunoha clan is not the only longstanding devil summoner clan. Kouichirou Urabe from Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers belongs to one such clan.[7]
- Prior to the reintroduction of Western culture to Japan during the Edo and Taisho periods, it was uncommon for Japanese devil summoners like the Kuzunoha clan to summon deities not native to Japan or the broader continent of Asia.[8]
Nomenclature
The Kuzunoha Clan is named after Kuzunoha, the mother of the onmyōji Abe no Seimei in Japanese folklore.[9]
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Japanese
|
葛葉の一族 Kuzunoha no ichizoku | Kuzunoha Clan |
| 葛葉 Kuzunoha | Kuzunoha |
Gallery
-
Family tree of the Kuzunoha Clan from Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army Super Official Fanbook
Notes
References
- ↑ "そもそも葛葉一族の始まりは、 六~七世紀初頭(飛鳥時代の始め)にまでさかのぼる。" Devil Summoner: Kuzunoha Raidō tai Chōriki Hei-dan Chō Kōshiki Fanbook (2006), Kazuo Ezaki. Published by Koichi Hamamura. Japanese. p. 202. ISBN-13: 978-4-7577-2847-9.
- ↑ "彼らはさかのぼること一千年、遠く平安の時代から、悪魔召喚の技を駆使して社会秩序を守り続けてきた者たちだ。" Devil Summoner: Kuzunoha Raidō tai Chōriki Hei-dan Chō Kōshiki Fanbook (2006), Kazuo Ezaki. Published by Koichi Hamamura. Japanese. p. 7. ISBN-13: 978-4-7577-2847-9.
- ↑ "当時、 日本古来の神道や大陸から伝播した陰陽道に通じ、強大な霊力をもって悪魔を使役した葛葉創設者が、同様に大きな力を持つ4人の悪魔召喚師を率いて興したのが、葛葉一族の始まりだと伝えられている。 宗家およびそれに従う4家系の名は、それ以降も一族の中の力あるものに襲名され、それは大正二十年の時代にまで連綿と受け継がれている。" Devil Summoner: Kuzunoha Raidō tai Chōriki Hei-dan Chō Kōshiki Fanbook (2006), Kazuo Ezaki. Published by Koichi Hamamura. Japanese. p. 202. ISBN-13: 978-4-7577-2847-9.
- ↑ "レイ・レイホウ【派生型分家】" Devil Summoner: Kuzunoha Raidō tai Chōriki Hei-dan Chō Kōshiki Fanbook (2006), Kazuo Ezaki. Published by Koichi Hamamura. Japanese. p. 202. ISBN-13: 978-4-7577-2847-9.
- ↑ "さて「葛葉ライドウ」の名も、前述の5人の始祖のひとりが持つ名を引き継いだものであり、 神道系の術をもっとも得意とする氏族だ。襲名の条件は明らかにはできんが、葛葉の隠れ里で辛い修行を経た者だけが、その資格を得るとだけ言っておこう。" Devil Summoner: Kuzunoha Raidō tai Chōriki Hei-dan Chō Kōshiki Fanbook (2006), Kazuo Ezaki. Published by Koichi Hamamura. Japanese. p. 202. ISBN-13: 978-4-7577-2847-9.
- ↑ "ちなみに、この魂を他者に乗り移らせるという技は、 葛葉一族である程度の力量を持つものなら誰でも可能だ。 また、そもそも神仙の術をよくするデビルサマナーは、常人よりも長命であることが多く、かつての葛葉ライドウの中には、100年以上の長きに渡って任期を全うした者もいたほどだ。" Devil Summoner: Kuzunoha Raidō tai Chōriki Hei-dan Chō Kōshiki Fanbook (2006), Kazuo Ezaki. Published by Koichi Hamamura. Japanese. p. 202. ISBN-13: 978-4-7577-2847-9.
- ↑ "また「ソウルハッカーズ」に登場する占部というサマナーは、葛葉一族でこそないものの、同じ程度に歴史のある有力な悪魔召喚師一族の出だ。" Devil Summoner: Kuzunoha Raidō tai Chōriki Hei-dan Chō Kōshiki Fanbook (2006), Kazuo Ezaki. Published by Koichi Hamamura. Japanese. p. 202. ISBN-13: 978-4-7577-2847-9.
- ↑ "召喚する悪魔も、元来は大陸から流れてきたものや、 国津神、天津神といった国産の神々が主だったが、それも近年になって西洋の悪魔も召喚可能となっている。" Devil Summoner: Kuzunoha Raidō tai Chōriki Hei-dan Chō Kōshiki Fanbook (2006), Kazuo Ezaki. Published by Koichi Hamamura. Japanese. p. 202. ISBN-13: 978-4-7577-2847-9.
- ↑ "彼の姓“葛葉”は、平安時代に活躍した伝説の陰陽師安部清明の母とされる葛葉姫に由来する。" Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner World Guidance (1996), Daisuke Narisawa and CB's Project. Published by SoftBank. Japanese. p. 180. ISBN-13: 978-4-7973-0084-0.