Manipulation of death, Manipulation of departed souls
Age
Dead/Immortal (Presumed to have "died over 1000 years ago". Born sometime in the 12th century if the daughter of Saigyō Hōshi)
Occupation
Departed spirit princess
Location
Hakugyokurou
"Just a little longer. A little longer and the Saigyou Ayakashi will be in full bloom..."
— Yuyuko Saigyouji (Perfect Cherry Blossom Stage 6.)
Yuyuko Saigyouji (西行寺 幽々子 Saigyouji Yuyuko) is the main antagonist of Perfect Cherry Blossom. She's the ghost "princess" head of Hakugyokurou in the Netherworld.
She first appeared as the Final Boss of Perfect Cherry Blossom, later becoming a playable character along with Youmu Konpaku (as a duo) in Imperishable Night and showing up as an expansion character in Immaterial and Missing Power, Scarlet Weather Rhapsody, and Touhou Hisoutensoku. She would eventually also appear as the Stage 1 boss in Ten Desires, and as a Day 4 boss in Impossible Spell Card.
Unlike many departed spirits, Yuyuko resembles a living human; a humanoid.
Contents
General Information
Personality
She is very cheerful and friendly. In fact, her playful, good-humored personality, otherworldly beauty, and courtesan charm can have a disarming effect. She often makes bizarre and apparently nonsensical remarks and sometimes seems to overlook the obvious, leading to her characterization as an airhead or a ditz. For instance, in Touhou Bougetsushou, she toyed with Youmu Konpaku as a daily occurrence even with Ran Yakumo present.
However, at other times she will reveal an extremely cunning and perceptive side and will also sometimes display an extraordinary level of knowledge. For instance, in Scarlet Weather Rhapsody, she was the quickest character to identify the culprit as Tenshi Hinanawi when the incident was in the omen stage (Yukari Yakumo spoke of the dwindling of phantoms as Komachi Onozuka's negligence, but Yuyuko guessed correctly). Additionally, in Ten Desires, she obliquely informed the playable character about the location of the incident regarding the divine spirits. She is also known for her incredible appetite.
Abilities
Manipulating death
This is the ability to, without exception and without permitting any resistance, end the life of any living being, whether it be human or youkai. The only kind of creatures immune from this are Hourai Immortals. Be aware that this does not mean that she can make any person die instantly, but rather that she can make it so that any person will die with absolute certainty, regardless of if they wish to die or not. Clearly and simply, it is an unusually and dreadfully powerful ability. Although the fear and responsibility brought with this ability is what drove her to commit suicide and become a ghost, it seems that she hasn't forgotten this ability since then, and it seems that she can use this ability in a carefree manner (though she doesn't act carelessly in the usage of this ability). However, whether she's able to end life only to the extent of fainting, or if she tempts one to death gently, is unclear. During her lifetime, the latter was true. Her Last Word "Saigyouji Parinirvana" is said to be the very incarnation of this ability.
Manipulating departed souls
This is the ability that enables her to manipulate ghosts and spirits, an ability she possessed even while she was alive. Although it's unclear what one is exactly able to accomplish with this ability, it seems to place Yuyuko on the role of the manager of the ghosts who stay for a while in the Netherworld. Because of this ability, she is able to let those from Hell stay eternally in the Netherworld.
Possession
Yuyuko has a pair of folding fans which can be used as weapons.
Official Profiles
Perfect Cherry Blossom -キャラ設定.txt
Immaterial and Missing Power - 上海アリス通信.txt
Imperishable Night - Manual
Imperishable Night - キャラ設定.txt
Scarlet Weather Rhapsody - Official website
Touhou Bougetsushou -Official website
Ten Desires - キャラ設定とエキストラストーリー.txt
LORD of VERMILION - Card Text
ZUN's comment from Dai Touhouten (PCB) plaque
ZUN's comment from Dai Touhouten (IN) plaque
Skills
Skills
Name Translated Comments Games Usage
Total: 13
幽胡蝶 Ghostly Butterfly IaMP
SWR 236A/B/C
Default 214B/C
未生の光 Light of the Unborn IaMP
SWR 214A/B
Default 236B/C
悉皆彷徨 All Things Wandering IaMP
SWR 623A/B/C
Default 421B/C
胡蝶夢の舞 Dance of Dreaming Butterfly IaMP
SWR 412A/B
Default 623B/C
「対岸の誘い」 "Invitation from Nether Side" IN Familiar:「死蝶霊」Dead Butterfly Spirits
好死の霊 Spirits that Died Well SWR Alternate 214B/C
鳳蝶紋の槍 Lance of the Swallowtail Crest Related: Yuyuko's Butterfly Sign "Deadly Lance of the Swallowtail Butterfly Crest" (StB/SWR) SWR Alternate 236B/C
誘霊の甘蜜 Spirit-Luring Nectar SWR Alternate 421B/C
逆さ屏風 Reverse Screens SWR Alternate 623B/C
スフィアブルーム Sphere Bloom SWR Alternate 214B/C
死還の大地 Land of Death Soku Alternate 236B/C
センスオブエレガンス Sense of Elegance Soku Alternate 623B/C
故人のお届け物 Gifts to the Deceased Soku Alternate 421B/C
Spell Cards
Spellcards
Name Translated Comments Games Stage
Total: 57
亡郷「亡我郷 -さまよえる魂-」 Dead Village "Death of One's Home -Wandering Soul-" PCB
GoM St. 6: E
—
亡郷「亡我郷 -宿罪-」 Dead Village "Death of One's Home -Past Sin-" PCB St. 6: N
亡郷「亡我郷 -道無き道-」 Dead Village "Death of One's Home -Trackless Path-" PCB St. 6: H
亡郷「亡我郷 -自尽-」 Dead Village "Death of One's Home -Suicide-" PCB St. 6: L
亡舞「生者必滅の理 -眩惑-」 Deadly Dance "Law of Mortality -Bewilderment-" PCB
GoM St. 6: E
—
亡舞「生者必滅の理 -死蝶-」 Deadly Dance "Law of Mortality -Dead Butterfly-" PCB St. 6: N
亡舞「生者必滅の理 -毒蛾-」 Deadly Dance "Law of Mortality -Poisonous Moth-" PCB St. 6: H
亡舞「生者必滅の理 -魔境-」 Deadly Dance "Law of Mortality -Demon World-" PCB St. 6: L
華霊「ゴーストバタフライ」 Flowery Soul "Ghost Butterfly" PCB St. 6: E
華霊「スワローテイルバタフライ」 Flowery Soul "Swallowtail Butterfly" PCB St. 6: N
華霊「ディープルーティドバタフライ」 Flowery Soul "Deep-Rooted Butterfly" PCB St. 6: H
華霊「バタフライディルージョン」 Flowery Soul "Butterfly Delusion" PCB St. 6: L
幽曲「リポジトリ・オブ・ヒロカワ -偽霊-」 Subtle Melody "Repository of Hirokawa -False Soul-" PCB
GoM St. 6: E
—
幽曲「リポジトリ・オブ・ヒロカワ -亡霊-」 Subtle Melody "Repository of Hirokawa -Deceased Spirit-" PCB St. 6: N
幽曲「リポジトリ・オブ・ヒロカワ -幻霊-」 Subtle Melody "Repository of Hirokawa -Phantom Spirit-" PCB St. 6: H
幽曲「リポジトリ・オブ・ヒロカワ -神霊-」 Subtle Melody "Repository of Hirokawa -Divine Spirit-" PCB St. 6: L
桜符「完全なる墨染の桜 -封印-」 Cherry Blossom Sign "Perfect Ink-Black Cherry Blossom -Seal-" 墨染の桜: a cherry blossom of the legends of Saigyou Houshi. PCB St. 6: E
桜符「完全なる墨染の桜 -亡我-」 Cherry Blossom Sign "Perfect Ink-Black Cherry Blossom -Self-Loss-" PCB St. 6: N
桜符「完全なる墨染の桜 -春眠-」 Cherry Blossom Sign "Perfect Ink-Black Cherry Blossom -Spring Sleep-" PCB St. 6: H
桜符「完全なる墨染の桜 -開花-」 Cherry Blossom Sign "Perfect Ink-Black Cherry Blossom -Bloom-" PCB St. 6: L
「反魂蝶 -一分咲-」 "Resurrection Butterfly -10% Reflowering-" Related: "Resurrection Butterfly" PCB
GoM St. 6: E
—
「反魂蝶 -参分咲-」 "Resurrection Butterfly -30% Reflowering-" PCB St. 6: N
「反魂蝶 -伍分咲-」 "Resurrection Butterfly -50% Reflowering-" PCB St. 6: H
「反魂蝶 -八分咲-」 "Resurrection Butterfly -80% Reflowering-" PCB St. 6: L
死符「ギャストリドリーム」 Death Sign "Ghastly Dream" IaMP
IN
SWR Use
Use
Use
死蝶「華胥の永眠」 Deadly Butterfly "Eternal Sleep in Dreamland" IaMP
IN
SWR
GoM Use
Use
Use
—
冥符「黄泉平坂行路」 Nether Sign "Path to Yomotsu-Hirasaka" IaMP
SWR Use
Use
再迷「幻想郷の黄泉還り」 Lost Again "Gensokyo's Rise from Yomi" IaMP
SWR Use
Use
霊符「无寿の夢」 Spirit Sign "Ageless Dream" IaMP
SWR Use
Use
寿命「无寿国への約束手形」 Lifespan "Ticket to the Ageless Land" IaMP
SWR Use
Use
符の壱「幽夢の胡蝶」 Sign I "Butterfly from a Ghostly Dream" IaMP Story
符の弐「白玉楼の垂れ彼岸」 Sign II "Weeping Higan Cherry of Hakugyokurou" IaMP Story
符の参「果てしなく昔の死地」 Sign III "Distantly Ancient Place of Death" IaMP Story
桜花「未練未酌宴」 Cherry Blossom "Feast of Lingering Regrets" IaMP Story
「紫(むらさき)の彼岸は遅れて輝く」 "The Purple Higan Shines Late" IaMP Story
「西行寺無余涅槃」 "Saigyouji Parinirvana" IN LW
幽雅「死出の誘蛾灯」 Ghostly Elegance "Light Trap of ing Away" StB
SWR
GoM St. 8
Use
—
蝶符「鳳蝶紋の死槍」 Butterfly Sign "Deadly Lance of the Swallowtail Butterfly Crest" StB
SWR St. 8
Use
死符「酔人の生、死の夢幻」 Death Sign "Life of Drunk, Dream of Death" StB St. 8
「死蝶浮月」 "Death Butterfly, Floating Moon" StB St. 8
霊蝶「蝶の羽風生に暫く」 Spirit Butterfly "A Butterfly's Wingbeats, Brief in Life" SWR
SWR Use
Story
幽符「冥界ミステリースポット」 Ghostly Sign "Netherworld Mystery Spot" SWR Story
宴会「死して全て大団円」 Banquet "All Things Come Full Circle in Death" SWR Story
「反魂蝶」 "Resurrection Butterfly" Soku Use
桜符「センスオブチェリーブロッサム」 Cherry Blossom Sign "Sense of Cherry Blossom" Soku Use
符牒「死蝶の舞」 Symbol "Dance of the Dead Butterflies" TD St. 1: E/N
符牒「死蝶の舞 - 桜花 -」 Symbol "Dance of the Dead Butterflies -Cherry Blossoms-" TD St. 1: H/L
幽蝶「ゴーストスポット」 Ghostly Butterfly "Ghost Spot" TD St. 1: E/N
幽蝶「ゴーストスポット - 桜花 -」 Ghostly Butterfly "Ghost Spot -Cherry Blossoms-" TD St. 1: H/L
冥符「常夜桜」 Nether Sign "Endless Evening Cherry Blossoms" TD St. 1: E/N/H/L
桜符「西行桜吹雪」 Cherry Blossom Sign "Saigyou Cherry Blossom Blizzard" TD St. 1: H/L
桜符「桜吹雪地獄」 Cherry Blossom Sign "Cherry Blossom Blizzard Hell" TD OV
蝶符「花蝶風月」 Butterfly Sign "Flower, Butterfly, Wind and Moon" ISC
GoU St. 4
—
桜花「桜吹雪花小町」 Cherry Blossom "Lovely Cherry Blossom Blizzard" ISC
GoU St. 4
—
妖花符「バタフライストーム閻魔笏」 Ghostly Flower Sign "Butterfly Storm Yama Shaku" Co-owner with Eiki VD Nightmare Monday - 1
風妖符「死蝶オンバシラ」 Wind Ghostly Sign "Dead Butterfly Onbashira" Co-owner with Kanako VD Nightmare Monday - 3
妖風符「土着蝶ストーム」 Ghostly Wind Sign "Native Butterfly Storm" Co-owner with Suwako VD Nightmare Monday - 5
Character Design
Name
Her full name is Yuyuko Saigyouji (西行寺 幽々子). Her surname Saigyouji (西行寺, lit. "West journey temple") comes from her motif as a daughter of the famous Japanese poet Saigyō Hōshi (西行 法師), who lived in the late Heian period and the early Kamakura period. He ed away in the Hirokawa Temple (弘川寺 Hirokawadera), which could be where the character ji (寺) came from.
Her first name Yuyuko (幽々子) actually doesn't have much meaning but can be literally translated to "ghostly child" or "ghost ghost child". The -ko is a common suffix in Japanese that's used in female names which literally means "child". The iteration mark "々", casually called a noma (ノマ), is used to indicate that the previous kanji should be repeated, thus her name's equivalent to "幽幽子". It's seen in the Japanese main title of Perfect Cherry Blossom (東方妖々夢).
Design
Yuyuko's depiction in PMiSS.
In Perfect Cherry Blossom she has maroon eyes, short wavy pink hair, and is surrounded by several small formless Phantoms. In all of the games, she wears a light blue and white kimono with dark blue trim and white designs; a blue mob cap on the front of which is a hitaikakushi with a red ghost insignia; and a veil of the same color of the kimono behind her head. She wears dark shoes with blue ribbons attached. In Scarlet Weather Rhapsody, her hair's slightly longer than normal, and her veil's more white than blue.
In Ten Desires, her hair's a paler shade of pink, her kimono's still a light pale blue, and the ribbon around her waist, the ribbon going down her kimono, and the bands and lacing on her arms and collar are black instead of white and blue. She now wears a transparent layer underneath, her mob cap lacks the veil it had in Perfect Cherry Blossom, Immaterial and Missing Power, and Scarlet Weather Rhapsody; and her hitaikakushi's insignia has changed shape. Her black shoes also lack the blue ribbons.
Throughout the games, the designs on her kimono change. In Perfect Cherry Blossom, it has floral designs; in Immaterial and Missing Power, the designs are of butterflies and flowers; in Imperishable Night, the butterflies and flowers design is replaced with a clouds and moon design; and in Ten Desires, the designs are of ghosts.
The phantoms surrounding her sometimes carry an object. In Perfect Cherry Blossom, one of the phantoms carries a cherry blossom twig; in Imperishable Night, one carries a small blue lantern; and in Scarlet Weather Rhapsody onwards, they no longer carry anything.
In ZUN's E-mails, ZUN described her as having a slightly tall height.
Story
Games
Perfect Cherry Blossom
Yuyuko's sprite in PCB & StB
Yuyuko is the final boss of Perfect Cherry Blossom. During its events, she made Youmu Konpaku find a way to make the Saigyou Ayakashi bloom to resurrect the corpse buried beneath it, apparently unaware that it was her own body. Forced to abandon her plan due to obstruction by Reimu and the gang, she resigned herself to continuing her existence as a ghost.
Imperishable Night
Yuyuko's back sprite in IN
Main article: Imperishable Night Netherworld Team Story
Ten Desires
Main articles: Reimu Arc, Marisa Arc, Sanae Arc, and Youmu Arc
Yuyuko's sprite in TD & ISC
Yuyuko made her appearance as the stage 1 boss of Ten Desires. Her in-game sprite was re-used from Perfect Cherry Blossom with minor adjustments. The heroines come to the Netherworld believing that Yuyuko's the cause of the mass or divine spirits. Yuyuko insists that they duel if the heroine wants to know about the incident. After she's defeated, Yuyuko doesn't appear injured and explains what the spirits are. She also redirects the heroine to the Myouren Temple, the location where all the divine spirits are heading. With Youmu Konpaku's scenario however, she wishes to investigate, but isn't allowed out of the Netherworld unless she defeats Yuyuko.
Spin-offs
Immaterial and Missing Power
Main article: Immaterial and Missing Power Story
Attention: This section is a stub and it needs expanding with more information related to the section's topic. If you can add to it in any way, please do so.
Shoot the Bullet
In Shoot the Bullet, Yuyuko is a target on level 8, where she'll use spell cards when Aya Shameimaru takes photos of her and her danmaku.
Scarlet Weather Rhapsody
Main article: Scarlet Weather Rhapsody Yuyuko Story
Attention: This section is a stub and it needs expanding with more information related to the section's topic. If you can add to it in any way, please do so.
Touhou Hisoutensoku
Main article: Touhou Hisoutensoku Yuyuko Story
If connecting SWR with Touhou Hisoutensoku, then Yuyuko can become a selectable character to play with, although she appears in no scenarios.
Hopeless Masquerade
Yuyuko and Youmu cameo in HM
Yuyuko appears as a background cameo in Hopeless Masquerade on the Divine Spirit Mausoleum stage. She is seen with Youmu Konpaku as she endlessly feeds her rice balls.
Impossible Spell Card
Presumably from hearing or seeing a wanted sign about the mischief-making amanojaku Seija Kijin, Yuyuko appears to be one of the many youkai that tries to capture her. She uses spell cards that are considered impossible to dodge. She is shown to be located at the Myouren Temple Cemetery.
Literature
Silent Sinner in Blue
Ran Yakumo goes to the Netherworld to ask both Youmu and Yuyuko if they could keep an eye on Remilia and her rocket. Although she first refused to do so, Yuyuko tells Youmu that she was indeed vigilant about the vampire's actions and tasks her with telling the shrine maiden to use the power of gods as "fuel".
Afterwards, in chapter 16, Yuyuko and Youmu arrive at the spot Yukari indicated. There, Yuyuko explains to Youmu that what they see is the result of dissolving the boundary between the imaginary Moon and the real one, and they go through it. They find Yukari's umbrella there, which Yuyuko interprets as a hint to where they have to go.
Finally, Yukari opens another gap which takes them to the Lunar Capital. There, they sneak in, searching for some treasure until the next Lunar month, when Yukari could open another connection between the Moon and the Earth. They come back with a millennial sake, ending a successful 2nd Lunar War.
Foul Detective Satori
Yuyuko was put into a coma by Mizuchi Miyadeguchi who was possessing Marisa Kirisame and brought her sake. After waking up, Youmu, Rin Kaenbyou and Satori Komeji head out in order to find Marisa, discovering her at Alice Margatroid's house, who was also now in a coma. They subsequently tie her up for being a suspect and interrogate her.
Relationships
Youmu Konpaku
Youmu is Yuyuko's gardener, bodyguard and fencing instructor.[3][4][5] Youmu is unquestioningly loyal to her master, though she has a hard time understanding Yuyuko's riddles.
Youki Konpaku
Youki is Youmu's predecessor, who taught Youmu all that she knows. He also knew the full story of Yuyuko's connection to the Saigyou Ayakashi even after Yuyuko herself had forgotten. Yuyuko found him harder to rely on than Youmu.
Yukari Yakumo
Yuyuko has been friends with Yukari since before her death, and is one of the few people who can see through her plans.
Eiki Shiki
According to Perfect Memento in Strict Sense, Yuyuko was appointed her position by the yama, therefore it can be assumed that Eiki outranks her (Yuyuko also refers to Eiki as "Eiki-Sama" in Phantasmagoria of Flower View). Yuyuko knows Eiki personally, as Eiki dropped by to push her to teach Youmu more in Youmu's ending in Phantasmagoria of Flower View.
Minor Relationships
Saigyou Ayakashi (Youkai Tree in her Garden)
Her corpse was buried by an unknown person under the Saigyou Ayakashi after she committed suicide.
Lunasa, Lyrica, and Merlin Prismriver (Regular performers)
Gallery
Covers
Yuyuko on the Vol. 3 cover of Silent Sinner in Blue
Yuyuko on the Vol. 3 cover of Silent Sinner in Blue
Artworks
Yuyuko artwork from Perfect Cherry Blossom
Yuyuko artwork from Perfect Cherry Blossom
Yuyuko artwork from Immaterial and Missing Power
Yuyuko artwork from Immaterial and Missing Power
Yuyuko artwork from Imperishable Night
Yuyuko artwork from Imperishable Night
Yuyuko artwork from Scarlet Weather Rhapsody
Yuyuko artwork from Scarlet Weather Rhapsody
Yuyuko other artwork from Immaterial and Missing Power
Yuyuko other artwork from Immaterial and Missing Power
Sprites
Yuyuko's different color palettes from Touhou Hisoutensoku. The 2nd one corresponds to her second color palette in Scarlet Weather Rhapsody, while the 3rd one corresponds to her Immaterial and Missing Power palette.
Yuyuko's different color palettes from Touhou Hisoutensoku. The 2nd one corresponds to her second color palette in Scarlet Weather Rhapsody, while the 3rd one corresponds to her Immaterial and Missing Power palette.
Illustrations
Yuyuko illustration in the Grimoire of Marisa
Yuyuko illustration in the Grimoire of Marisa
Illustration of Yuyuko in Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red
Illustration of Yuyuko in Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red
Another illustration of Yuyuko from Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red
Another illustration of Yuyuko from Bohemian Archive in Japanese Red
Yuyuko in Cage in Lunatic Runagate
Yuyuko in Cage in Lunatic Runagate
Yuyuko in Symposium of Post-mysticism
Yuyuko in Symposium of Post-mysticism
Youmu and Yuyuko bonus drawing from Forbidden Scrollery Vol. 6 by Moe Harukawa
Youmu and Yuyuko bonus drawing from Forbidden Scrollery Vol. 6 by Moe Harukawa
Yuyuko with Youmu from Who's Who of Humans & Youkai - Dusk Edition
Yuyuko with Youmu from Who's Who of Humans & Youkai - Dusk Edition
Screenshots
Yuyuko in Silent Sinner in Blue
Yuyuko in Silent Sinner in Blue
Yuyuko party outfit in Silent Sinner in Blue
Yuyuko party outfit in Silent Sinner in Blue
Yuyuko in Oriental Sacred Place
Yuyuko in Oriental Sacred Place
Yuyuko in Foul Detective Satori
Yuyuko in Foul Detective Satori
Others
Yuyuko's sigil from Grimoire of Marisa
Yuyuko's sigil from Grimoire of Marisa
Yuyuko's sigil from Touhou Hisoutensoku
Yuyuko's sigil from Touhou Hisoutensoku
Additional Information
Excluding spin-off games, Yuyuko is the first, and currently only character in the Touhou Project to first appear as a final boss, then later in another game as a Stage 1 boss.
Furthermore, Yuyuko is one of two characters that gained a new portrait in a mainline game despite not being playable in it. The other is Cirno in Double Dealing Character.
ZUN originally wanted to arrange her theme from Perfect Cherry Blossom and implement it into Ten Desires, but he ended up choosing against it because Yuyuko is only a Stage 1 boss in the newer game; hence why she ended up with a unique theme.
She has the highest number of spell cards as a Stage 1 boss; even more so than the Stage 2, Stage 3 and Stage 4 bosses in Ten Desires.
Her sixth palette in Touhou Hisoutensoku seems to resemble Hong Meiling, and there's another palette that resembles Ran Yakumo.
Assuming that Yuyuko is the daughter of Saigyō Hōshi, she and Fujiwara no Mokou are actually distant relatives, since Saigyō is a descendant of Mokou's supposed father Fujiwara no Fuhito.
Yuyuko's one of the few final bosses in the Touhou Project who, upon defeat, revives for a final spell card. Others are Eirin Yagokoro, Kaguya Houraisan, Tenshi Hinanawi, and Sumireko Usami.
The image file that contains all of the boss names (romanized) to display on the top-left during their battle in one of Perfect Cherry Blossom's demos has Yuyuko named Ayaka Saigyouji instead. The latest demo (ver0.11) has her named Yuyuka Saigyouji