So this specific ghost will be pivotal to the story as she is Aoyama’s wife. Try to guess why the plate she is holding is split in two. ;-)

Now, this specific character’s design, battle mechanics and staging changed quite a bit during planning. She was initially to be a Rokurokubi awaiting in the Mistress’s room. While researching, however, I stumbled upon the tale of the Nukekubi which makes the Rokurokubi seem tame and quaint in comparison… aaand, I was beginning to worry about the animation and battle mechanics of a long necked boss. So, I’ll just be lazy about it and make her two separate entities: a dancing beheaded corpse and a flying biting head.

Also, since the introduction of Michizane, I had to repurpose the Mistress’s room into a library and delegated her to the Tea Room, where the subordinate youkai will no longer be possessed beauty items, but begrudged chado utensils. I think it will make for a far more elegant level.

Even as I am writing this, I am seriously considering making the Tea Room a little less busy in the spirit of Zen Buddhism; and allow for a more dramatic cinematic sequence and a poignant boss battle. In all likelihood, the room would be a bit too small and cramped, as all Tea Rooms are.

Maybe I’ll put a puzzle instead of a battle here? Only time will tell…