Artist's commentary
Professional Dowser
Nazrin is a mouse youkai who can control mice. She possesses the ability to find sought-for items, and her main method of doing so is to walk all over with her dowsing rods in hand. Perhaps it would make more sense to call this a skill rather than an ability.
Dowsing is a technique that allows you to find hidden objects by observing the movements of a rod or pendulum. The technique’s legitimacy has long been the subject of skepticism, and there have been endless debates and experiments to prove its efficacy. In modern times, while dowsing is seen mainly as an occult technique, there are still many who believe in its power, and there are even some regions where dowsing can be used to provide evidence in criminal investigations.
Nazrin is loyal to her master, Shou, and to her job, but there is more going on than meets the eye. The truth is that Nazrin is a disciple of Bishamonten who’s been tasked with watching over Shou. The reason Nazrin acts the way she does around her supposed master is to prevent that truth from being revealed. However, Nazrin tends to have a rather large ego and often treats other people as fools in order to assert the superiority of Bishamonten upon them. This attitude tends to be what stands out the most about her.
Since Nazrin hangs around at Myouren Temple to watch over Shou, she has no special loyalty to its leader, Byakuren. Most of her time is spent outside the temple, where from dawn to dusk she douses leisurely, using the small house she built herself as a base. However, it seems she’s yet to find any treasure of note.
Despite all this, it seems Nazrin’s relationships with all those around her, not just with Shou, are very positive. Perhaps that’s because she’s found something―or rather, noticed something. Something that can’t be found with dowsing or even seen, for it has no physical form. Its warmth is all around us, and it must surely be treasured above all else.