Cultural Notes
Kashima & Katori Shrines
History, Heritage & Religion
Kashima Shrine is a shrine that is strongly associated with the martial arts due to its association with Tsukahara Bokuden, a famous swordsman. Additionally keystones are said to be placed at both Kashima and Katori Shrines to pin Onamazu, a giant catfish that lives beneath the island of Japan. It is said that this thrashing is the cause of earthquakes.
Relevance to MAO
The keystones at Kashima and Katori shrines are actual stones in the real world. In the story of Mao there is a third keystone in Gogyo, the two where Nanoka lives. It is beneath this stone that Byoki has hidden himself. This stone is destroyed when Byoki escapes during the Great Kanto Earthquake.