Kamui (「カムイ」?; Kamuy; "God's power" or "Divine authority") is an icy snow-covered island to the north of Nippon, exclusive to Ōkami. The region is both blessed and plagued by the frequent blizzards, in addition to being home to the village of the Oina, Wep'keer
Description[]
Landscape[]
Kamui is a harsh landscape, blanketed in heavy, white snow nearly year-round. Many of the civilizations are hidden between the twin peaks of Ezofuji, at which the Twin Demons Lechku & Nechku are enshrined. The terrain itself is uneven, with snowy land flowing into icy pools where was once flowed freely, making it easy to lose proper footing, slipping and falling all over the place. The island also boasts a thick forest, Yoshpet, from which it is said escape is impossible. However, this is where the tiny Poncles make their home, in a tree stump called Ponc'tan found in an oddly warm and blossoming clearing. Other than this vast forest, the vegetation found throughout Kamui tends to be short and sparse, to due a lack of viable soil in which plants can grow, in addition to a lack of warmth and light to stimulate their growth.
Society[]
Kamui's inhabitants can be divided into three primary communities. The most prominent of these are the Oina, who view the entire island as their nation and home. These people are wary of outsiders, yet allow them to stay, so long as they do not invade or dwell near their village. Kokari and Onigiri-Sensei are both allowed to make their homes here, but not without precaution. Both are forced to live on the edge of the island, making the second of three communities, away from the rest of the Oina, likely not permitted to enter the village of Wep'keer unaccompanied, if at all. The Poncles dwell far away from these other two, buried deep within the forest of Yoshpet, protected by its hallucination-inducing spores. This tiny race, however, bears a strong connection to the Oina, often growing up alongside one another and becoming close friends. From this, it can be assumed that their relations are good, but that they likely do not try to expand their field of contact.
Economy[]
Given how most civilizations on this island are surrounded by waters, it's safe to assume that the industry that takes the most importance is fishing. The Oina hang the meats in their home, allowing them to dry, to preserve them for use in the winter, when food is more scarce. In addition to that, they keep herds of sheep around both for meat and source of fabric. The homes are largely constructed from the same things that surround them, typically dying or fallen trees and snow. Many mainland homes resemble igloos and sport chimneys to release smoke from the ever-burning fires heating the indoors and its residents. Merchants are found in most of the major residential areas, typically offering the usual wares of Nippon and occasionally providing early access to Divine Instruments.
History[]
Backstory[]
Kamui has existed since the age of myths when True Orochi destroyed the Celestial Plain which forced the Celestials to board the Ark of Yamato, resulting in the Ark of Yamato genocide and the polluting of Nippon with countless demons. The Ark of Yamato had been permanently frozen in Laochi Lake prior to the events of Ōkami.
Ōkami[]
Sidequests[]
Obtained items[]
Texts[]
- Cherry Bomb 3: In the Divine spring where Cherry Bomb 3 is obtained.
- Tribe of the Moon: In the end directly across the chasm from the entrance of the hidden cave near the path to Wep'keer.
Secret Celestial Brush techniques[]
- Cherry Bomb 3: In the Divine spring next to the local Guardian Sapling, which needs to be opened by Cherry Bomb 2. The spring's entrance itself is accessed by a Konohana blossom.
Accessories[]
- Sun Fragment: Obtained after the local Bandit spider's defeat.
Stray Beads[]
- #74: Buried outside the Dojo.
- #75: At the end of the bear cave, near the path leading to Wep'keer.
- #76: On the ice waterfall next to the path to Wep'keer.
- #77: Buried near the Mermaid spring (initially hidden by a Devil gate).
- #78: Appears after beating Blockhead Grande in the divine spring.
- #79: Appears after clearing the Devil Gate Trial Cave. As Amaterasu goes up the path to Wep'keer, keep looking over the edge until an alcove with a hard-dig spot and a Clover is in sight. Jump down to the alcove, then down the lower level. The entrance is through a tunnel in the waterfall at the lower level.
Trivia[]
- Kamui or kamuy (「カムイ」?) means god in Ainu. In Japanese, it is the pronunciation of 神威 (Kamui or Kamoi), meaning "God's power" or "Divine authority". It is also the name of Cape Kamui, a landmark of Hokkaidō's (the real-life counterpart of Kamui; see the bullet point below), which became the namesake of the seaplane tender/fleet oiler Kamoi of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
- Kamui is an obvious analogue to the real life island and prefecture of Hokkaidō, evident in its location on the map of Nippon, its general climate, inhabiting flora and fauna, its native residents and their culture. Its name is based on the concept of gods and divinity of the Ainu people, and also on the local landmark Cape Kamui.
- The separation between Kamui and the rest of Nippon by what would be the real-life Tsugaru Strait is evident through the fact that the harsh, polar climate with blizzards and snowstorms common throughout the year of the area is not observed at all anywhere else in the country. Several characters' mentions of Kamui being separated from the southern lands by a sea[1][2] further solidify this fact. This means that the tunnel underneath the observatory at Shinshu Field would be very long as it crosses the strait into the heart of Hokkaidō.
- Throughout the entire region and arc, the player will not find any Wooden Bear treasures. This is thought to be a reference to how the wooden bears carved by the Ainu people, real life inspiration for the people of Kamui, bore no true significance other than to bring revenue from tourists to the region. Ainu culture does not typically allow the depiction of life-forms in most arts.
- In Oki's house, if Power Slash is used on the log he uses for cutting practice, a statue of a falcon will be revealed.
- Near Onigiri-Sensei's Dojo, there are two piles of snow. Power Slash the bigger one and a random snow statue will appear; it will either be Issun x1000, Sakuya, or Amaterasu sitting. Going into the dojo and then returning to the pile of snow will cause it to reset and become covered over again; slashing it three more times will reveal a different statue.
- Near Wali's house, in the snowy section between the frozen streams, there is a large pile of snow. Power Slash it three times and a statue of Amaterasu will appear, similar to the statue in Kamiki Village at the beginning of the game, except larger and made entirely of snow.