It was a couple of nights before Akiko met Yoshiko again, and Akiko was already at the tree, pacing impatiently, when the other miko appeared. They bowed to each other, and Akiko got in with her question before Yoshiko could start the dance lessons.

“Yoshiko, what do you know about dealing with kegare?â€

“What do you mean? We have to keep kegare out of the shrine, so we wash, and avoid spilling blood, and stay away from the dead… but you know that, right?â€

“Yes, sorry. I mean…â€ Akiko suddenly realised that she didn’t know whether Yoshiko actually saw kegare. “Can you see it? Kegare, I mean? You said you saw Tamao, but…â€

“Sometimes, I think. I see things that look like mould, or deformed insects or animals crawling on people.â€

“Yes! That’s it! Right, what do you know about dealing with that?â€

“Well, when you perform a harae it goes away.â€ Yoshiko still sounded uncertain about what Akiko was asking, which, now that she thought about it, was quite reasonable.

“I’m sorry,â€ Akiko began. “I’ve not explained this at all well. I know that the harae cleanses the kegare, but that’s not enough. It’s everywhere, and it’s getting stronger.â€ Akiko quickly began explaining the kegare that she could see, and how it was spreading over most of the city. Yoshiko was very quiet when she had finished, getting up to walk slowly round the tree, even leaning on it for a few moments.

“That’s bad,â€ she said, finally, looking back at Akiko. “Kegare is not just pollution, you know. It’s also weakening, sickness, decay, and death. And it’s disharmony and conflict between people. And not just between people; when people don’t live in harmony with the rest of the world, that causes kegare as well.

“And I think that kegare makes all of those things stronger, so that once it starts to build up, it increases faster and faster.â€ Akiko thought about the situation in Kawasaki, and nodded. It certainly sounded like a description of what she was seeing.

“So what can we do about it? What’s causing it?â€

“Probably just the kegare itself,â€ Yoshiko said. “But I’m not an expert on this.â€

“Do you know anyone who is?â€

Yoshiko paused for a moment, and then shook her head.

“I’ve never seen it build up as much as you’ve described, though. I think the kami cleanse it before it gets that strong.â€

“So, why haven’t they done that this time?â€ Akiko didn’t really expect an answer, but she did hope for a useful opinion.

“Maybe they can’t? Maybe something it stopping them.â€

Akiko suddenly remembered what Tamao had said when she spoke to him in the other shrine precincts.

“That’s right. Tamao said that he was too weak.â€

“So you need to make him stronger.â€

“But how do we do that?â€

“The rituals and festivals make the kami stronger. Are you performing them properly?â€

“Well…â€ Akiko was a little embarrassed by the question. “There aren’t many ujiko at the moment, so they aren’t very big.â€

“Not many ujiko? I thought you said it was a city?â€

“Well, yes. There are lots of people, but they don’t come to the shrine.â€

“Really?â€ Yoshiko looked surprised, even shocked. “Well, that’s the fundamental problem, then. You need to get people to come back to the shrine.â€

“But how? And will it be quick enough?â€

“You need a festival, I think. People like festivals, and the kami like festivals. And they draw attention, bring people back to the shrine.â€

“A festival?â€ Akiko thought about it. It wasn’t a bad idea, but what sort of festival could they hold? “That’s a good idea. I’ll have to talk to the priest about it.â€ Yoshiko nodded.

“Good. And now, I think we should get on with the practice. Do you have your kagurasuzu?â€