湖底のつばめ | Kotei no Tsubame | Chapter 4
The youkai filled Futaba village, which has been submerged by a new dam, resurfaces when the water gets low. Natsume is visited by youkai from the village asking for their names back and gets possessed by a swallow spirit from Futaba who wishes to track down a human who was kind to her years ago.
Tropes associated with the episode:
- Blindfolded Vision: Tsubame, the swallow, wears a sheet with a vaguely birdlike symbol painted on it over her eyes.
- Canis Major: Both Tarusaru and Madara are giant inugami, and they transform into their true forms to fight one another when Madara catches Tarusaru leading Natsume away with the intent to eat him.
- Cast from Hit Points: Natsume is worn out after returning the names of the ayakashi from Futaba village who visit him to request their names afer the water level goes low enough in the dam for them to leave easily.
- Clothes Make the Superman: In a very downplayed version Natsume competes in a youkai competition for a yukata which will allow a spirit wearing it to appear human for a day so the swallow can meet her benefactor.
- Demonic Possession: Her intentions may be benign but the swallow possessing Natsume causes him to pass out initially and feel ill until Madara kicks her out.
- Dressing as the Enemy: Natsume dresses as a youkai in order to attend the youkai festival in Futaba village.
- Festival Episode: The youkai of Futaba village host their annual festival while the water level is low enough to facilitate easy travel for the ayakashi and Tsubame goes to meet her benefactor at some sort of human street fair or festival.
- Hidden Eyes: A number of the youkai in the episode including Tsubame have their eyes hidden by a mask or shadow, and Natsume wears a sheet which covers his eyes as part of his disguise as a youkai.
- It Amused Me: Tarusaru decides to help Natsume enter the Futaba festival after hearing his intentions and deciding that it will be more interesting than just eating him.
- Magic Mirror: Tarusaru uses a mirror to show Natsume the spirit possessing him.
- Paper-Thin Disguise: Tarusaru helps Natsume disguise himself as a youkai by providing him with a mask and yukata.
- Vanishing Village: Futaba, which has become a village for only youkai since a dam was built which keeps it flooded most of the year.
