| The Moon-Splitting Festival | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Name | ||
| Kanji | 月分祭 | |
| Romaji | Tsukiwake Matsuri | |
| Information | ||
| Air Date | February 27, 2012 (JP) February 19, 2024 (US) | |
| Episode | 48 | |
| Adapted From | Chapter 39 Chapter 40 | |
| Opening Song | Ima, Kono Toki | |
| Ending Song | Takaramono | |
| Episode Guide | ||
| Previous When I Was Deceived |
Next The God, Enshrined | |
| List of Natsume Yuujinchou Episodes | ||
| Episode Gallery | ||
The Moon-Splitting Festival is the ninth episode of the fourth season and the forty-eighth episode overall of the Natsume Yuujinchou anime series. It first aired on February 27, 2012.
Summary[]
Every 10 years the followers of Houdzuigami and Fudzukigami have a battle to determine the fate of the land. Natsume is approached by the followers of Houdzukigami to act as their missing god. Natori has been given the job of finding the missing god or seal Fuduzkigami before he wins.
Plot[]
The Moon-Splitting Festival is an old harvest festival once celebrated by humans, now practiced by the youkai on Mt. Misumi. The festival takes place every ten years in Misumigahara (Mt. Misumi), between Fuzuki (God of the Absent Moon) and Houzuki (God of the Harvest Moon).
These opposing gods partake in a mock battle to determine who will control the mountain harvests for the next ten years. If Fuzuki wins the mountain will become dry and desolate affecting both youkai and humans alike. This year Houzuki has gone missing.
To prevent Fuzuki from winning the battle by default, Natori Shuuichi is tasked with finding and breaking the seal placed on Houzuki by another exorcist. Natori is told that if could not free Houzuki by the end of the festival then he must exorcist Fuzuki to prevent the land from becoming barren and protect the people on the mountain.
Takashi Natsume is approached by the White Hats (Houzuki-gami's servants), and asked to stand in for their god to prevent Fuzuki from winning by default. While Natori and Hiiragi are looking for the seal, they are surprised to find Natsume in a festival procession disguised as Houzuki-gami.
After a brief encounter with the Black Robes (Fuzuki-gami's servants), Natsume and Nyanko-sensei explain to Natori what happened and they agree to work together.
Through divination it is decided that the game for this year's mock battle is "hunting". The two gods must tack down and catch a giant dragon looking beast that is released from a clay pot. Fuzuki disappears with the Black Robes to catch the beast while Natsume is left behind hoping to find the real Houzuki-gami, while the White Hats search for the beast.
Natori and Hiiragi are led by one of the White Hats to meet up with Natsume and Nyanko-sensei in an old water mill overlooking a steep waterfall. While discussing how to track down the beast, it attacks throwing Natsume from the building over the edge of the waterfall. Hiiragi leaps into the air to catch Natsume and protect him from the fall.
After recuperating from being being dragged down river, Natsume and Hiiragi try to running back to the building but are accidentally caught in a trap by the Black Robes, which was intended for the beast. While unconscious, one of the servants is able to pick up a human scent from "Houzuki-gami", making them wonder if they were being deceived.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Trivia[]
Anime and Manga Differences[]
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| 3rd Season | Natsume Yuujinchou Shi | 5th Season |
| ← | Episodes | → |
| Episode 40 • Episode 41 • Episode 42 • Episode 43 • Episode 44 • Episode 45 • Episode 46 • Episode 47 • Episode 48 • Episode 49 • Episode 50 • Episode 51 • Episode 52 | ||