Chinchikurin - Concept Notes

Village Customs

Masuda Village has special customs for living in such a remote area in the mountains.

~ Entertainment ~

For entertainment, there are mainly fights between villagers. Whenever there is a small quarrel, someone sounds the bell towers bell and everyone gathers. The fighting villagers use Japanese swords and the school students* incite them. The spectators bring sake and sakana** and bet on who will survive. 

Many of the villagers act mild-mannered to avoid this tradition from turning into a form of entertainment (not that they aren't mild-mannered at heart).

In Masuda Village, there are no recreational facilities nearby, but they do have a training centre called the "Sparkling Muscle", which had been set up for villagers who have too much free time on their hands. It allows the villagers to participate in training sessions every day. One of the most popular sessions is the "Wild Plan", a special and gruelling survival program with very little equipment involved. Hanabishi's father, Nichiteru, isn't the only regular - many of the villagers are regulars. In addition, the high school students are prohibited from entering.

~ Fashion ~

In Masuda Village there is a unique fashion style that was developed by the villagers due to the lack of supplies. The style generally consists of the following:

- Rare and valuable materials such as strong colors, hand-knitted fabrics, and shiny materials

- Use of materials (motifs) that the individual is attached to

- The whole style being balanced

Because it is sometimes too eccentric, neighbouring villages call the Masuda Village style "Yamidare". Young people who yearn for this style are punished.

"You've been affected by the Yamidare!" they say to those who yearn for Masuda. 

~ Punishment ~

When the guilty are found, they are tied up and exposed to the public in the village. Then, one by one, the villagers and the guilty are told of the good and kind things that the guilty person have done in the past.

If the sinner still doesn't change their mind, the Elders appear.

The Elders have incredible memory and remember everything from the family structure to the upbringing of every villager. They will read out the persons essays from elementary school, or talk about the time they wet the bed. All kinds of personal information is revealed by them.

Finally, all the villagers sing "ふるさと" (Furusato)*** together and the guilty person is released.

After being released, there is no further investigation into the crime committed, but the villagers begin to smile slightly. In fear of this punishment, no one does anything wrong. 

One of the village Elders is Toru's grandfather (estimated by 123 years old)

~ The Masuda Constitution ~ 

The village has a mysterious ceremony called the "Masuda Constitution" which has been passed down from generation to generation.

They will say one thing they like about a person in the room and drink a cup of sake whilst praising them. The person who is praised receives the cup of sake and drinks it whilst praising someone else. They keep doing this until they've finished a bottle of sake, but the longer it lasts the better.

~ Hunting club ~

A hobby club that mainly focus' on hunting. Haruma was the youngest member to join, and is now the head of the youth club (because he is the only member). They recruit members all year round.

~ Other ~

There are several secret circles such as "The Gentlemen's Agreement" or the mysterious religious group "Noodles". Students aren't allowed to join any of them.

*Rough translation

**Sakana is the word for snacks that are often served alongside sake. They're light snacks ranging from foods like kimchi and sashimi to smaller things like peanuts.

***Furusato is a children's song created in 1914 and describes a person working in a distant land, expressing feelings of nostalgia for their childhood home. It's taught in Japanese schools. You can listen to it here: