An area with many small shrines in Higshikawa District.
Komachi's Travel Guide
This area houses a mixture of shrines, dedicated to the Fortunes, kami, ancestors, or a combination thereof. Many of the shrines are not clearly identified, and newcomers may find the narrow avenues between them difficult to navigate. The most prominent shrine here honors Suitengu, the Fortune of the Sea, and Isora, his wife, who is the patron of the Shore. The shrine is within sight of the pier, and fishermen often release their choicest catch before it to gain the favor of the waves.
Tadaji's Memoirs
The Unicorn are not seafarers, so I have had few reasons to visit Bochi Seido, but there was a day, years ago, when T____ had business in the Higshikawa District and I accompanied him. I remember because of the strange interaction I had there.
I had wandered into Bochi Seido while T____ conducted his business, drawn by the peaceful atmosphere. The outer rings were like a garden, well-tended and beautiful, but as I wandered deeper in, I felt strangely closed in. There were few trees, and only a few other decorations taller than myself, and yet I couldn’t help but feel as though I might have trouble finding my way out. I had the strange sensation of walking through a deep forest, was almost certain that if I turned, I would see thick trees behind me, blocking my exit.
It seems foolish, looking back, to have been so disquieted, but I cannot deny that in the moment, I was overcome. I quickened my steps, looking only to escape this strange place.
Instead, I found another person deep within the graveyard, a wizened and bent Phoenix, closely studying one of the shrines. Startled, I let out a noise, and he jumped, similarly surprised.
At another human presence, my fear had receded and I was embarrassed at my flight. I introduced myself and apologized for interrupting. He insisted no apology was necessary and gave his name as Asako Kinto. A shugenja, he said, visiting family in Otosan Uchi.
Curious, I confessed the strange feelings that had come over me, and he nodded, saying he had heard similar stories about this place, including tales of people fully overcome by visions. It was these visions he was here to seek.
I looked closer at the shrine he stood before, but it was ancient, worn smooth. When I asked if he was seeking visions of the ancestor this shine belonged to, he gave an enigmatic smile and shook his head. “I need no visions for her,” he said, and gave the stone a gentle pat.
Not wishing to take up any more of his time, I asked his guidance for the easiest path out, and made a hasty exit.