Looks like the shrine could use a cleansing ritual for itself. Though if the only sponsor is gone now, perhaps the scuttling little things are a sign of the impending doom and decay, and the only way to drive them off would be to secure the shrine's financial future? Perhaps it could be done if Akiko managed to make her visions work <i>for</i> her instead of against her?

She didn't even warn Shiraishi about the dark cloud and shadowy wings she saw over Mr Takenaka. I'm pretty sure shadows like that aren't even supposed to be able to get past the torii, though perhaps they can if they hitch a ride with someone else. And maybe the current infestation is just what it looks like to me - a residue from Hideo Takenaka's death. Maybe all the spirits which afflicted him were let loose in there? Yup. Couldn't hurt with a cleansing ritual. If there is such a thing.