Mugura is an actual Japanese word that means 'creeping vines', perhaps fittingly. These mushi are pretty much the nerves of the land. If a person or other creature binds his or her consciousness to them, they allow that being to sense or see all the areas the mugura are in contact with in a way that isn't made clear to the viewer.
This bond is achieved one of two ways--a god does it naturally, using the mugura to help it do its duties in its area. In fact, a god's duty would be all but impossible without the mugura, as they allow the god to not only keep an eye on everything without physically being there, but also allow the god to extend its will through the mugura to help keep things in order. A regular human has to do things a slightly different way.
Pouring out small amounts of kouki in a circle, either on the ground itself but more usually in small flat sake bowls, is known as a mugura lure.
Ginko setting up mugura lures.
The kouki draws the mugura to the person sitting in the center of the circle, and if done properly, gets them to bond with that person.
Ginko bonding with the mugura.
Though it looks a bit alarming, it's a temporary bond that falls away as soon as it's broken, either voluntarily by the bonded person or forcibly by someone outside the bond (if they're powerful enough), and rarely hurts the bonded person.
Mugura
Mugura emerging from the earth.
Mugura is an actual Japanese word that means 'creeping vines', perhaps fittingly. These mushi are pretty much the nerves of the land. If a person or other creature binds his or her consciousness to them, they allow that being to sense or see all the areas the mugura are in contact with in a way that isn't made clear to the viewer.
This bond is achieved one of two ways--a god does it naturally, using the mugura to help it do its duties in its area. In fact, a god's duty would be all but impossible without the mugura, as they allow the god to not only keep an eye on everything without physically being there, but also allow the god to extend its will through the mugura to help keep things in order. A regular human has to do things a slightly different way.
Pouring out small amounts of kouki in a circle, either on the ground itself but more usually in small flat sake bowls, is known as a mugura lure.
Ginko setting up mugura lures.
The kouki draws the mugura to the person sitting in the center of the circle, and if done properly, gets them to bond with that person.
Ginko bonding with the mugura.
Though it looks a bit alarming, it's a temporary bond that falls away as soon as it's broken, either voluntarily by the bonded person or forcibly by someone outside the bond (if they're powerful enough), and rarely hurts the bonded person.