The Miko Festival was a holiday that had only emerged in the small town over the past few decades, though the history of Katori Shrine could be traced back centuries.
According to legend, during the Edo period, a Hunter in the deep mountains hunted down a deer with a coat as white as snow. Just as he was about to slaughter the creature and prepare it for dinner, the deer suddenly wore an expression of human terror, opened its mouth to speak, and begged the Hunter to spare her life, promising him a generous reward in return. Captivated by the deer's ethereal and crisp voice, the Hunter gave in to his curiosity and untied the rope binding her. To his astonishment, right before his eyes, the deer transformed into a woman draped in plain white mourning clothes with skin as white as snow.
Seized by sudden bestial impulses, the Hunter tried to strip away the clothes of the woman-turned-white-deer to assault her. But the woman calmly told the Hunter that physical pleasure was fleeting, nothing more than an illusory bubble, whereas happiness, peace, and harmony were eternal. If the Hunter put aside his murderous and violent nature, she was not only willing to serve the Hunter for a lifetime, but also to bless his descendants with peace for three generations.
Chapter 643