Hibakusha

by Jenny L. Parr (15 Nov 93)

Okay here is the first installment of the oriental vamps I promised. I created them for my Hokkaido by Night chronicle.


The Hibakusha were a clan of vampires originating in South East Asia and migrating to India and Japan. They were unique in that they gained their powers from those they fed upon, gaining skills from their mortal herds. However when the kindred of the second city discovered them the Hibakusha were overcome by the strength of their blood. The powers they gained were so potent that they were forever changed and unable to use the powers of others they fed upon. Desperately the Western vampires cursed the Hibakusha but the Easterners only became unable to drink from whatever clan they had inherited their powers from. This caused great enmity between the Western and Eastern kindred as the Westerners attempted to diabolise their Eastern counterparts.

The clans the Hibakusha dissolved into are:


Comments from a reader

From Masatoshi Tokuoka <g310403@komaba.c.u-tokyo.ac.jp> 19 Feb 96

"Hibakusha" means "Bombed Man ("Hi-Baku-Sha", "Hi" means a passive voice, "Baku" a Bomb, "Sha" a Man)". A bomb is the Atomic Bomb used in WW2.

So, first, "Hibakusha" does not mean any mistery or ancient. It was created after WW2 is over and very SERIOUS word. It is clear that there's no reration with "Hibakusha" and vampire. Second, there's many "Hibakusha" in Japan and still suffer ill (and sometimes terminally ill). From that article, I fell no respect or empathy in real "Hibakusha". It seems to be only a word for a little flavor (or exoticism).

I think "Clan Hibakusha" is a good setting. But name "Hibakusha" is far from good. It is very sorry that I can't tell any ideas for it, because I don't understand why the auther named such. Only I can say is "It should be changed."