Nine days have passed since Mafuyu, brother of Miku Hinasaki, had disappeared.

It all began about a month ago.

The media reported that the famous novelist Junsei Takamine disappeared while gathering research for an upcoming novel. Mafuyu, an aspiring journalist, suspected that something was wrong. Why would his mentor simply vanish into thin air? Mafuyu decided to conduct a private search for his friend, with the investigation eventually leading to the grounds of a secluded mansion. The Himuro mansion stands silent and imposing deep within the forest. It's said that years ago the mansion belonged to a powerful landowner who had absolute control over the area. But now it's a shadow of its former self, dilapidated and desolate...

As Mafuyu searched the mansion, he found scraps of paper left by Junsei and his staff throughout the mansion. The writings recounted a number of ominous events that happened in the mansion's dark past. Eager to find additional clues within the mansion, Mafuyu rushed in and suddenly realized that he wasn't alone...

Miku came to the Himuro mansion in search of her missing brother. But she had no idea what she was getting into...

Himuro Mansion

A huge mansion stands beneath a mountain at the edge of a small, nameless village.  It is said that long ago the mansion belonged to a powerful landowner who had absolute control over the entire area. The locals still talk about the Himuro Family, refering to the many rumors and myths surrounding them.  However, none of the townsfolk are willing to approach the mansion, which has now fallen into a state of disrepair.

 Miku Hinasaki is the main character of Fatal Frame. Her family has a history of people gifted with a special sixth sense.  Like the rest of her family, Miku can see things that ordinary people cannot.  Because of her special ability, Miku had a difficult time maintaining friendships.  Most people she encounters find her a little strange.  Mafuyu, her brother, is the only peron who accepts her for who she is; after all, he understands what she is going through.

  Mafuyu Hinasaki is Miku's brother. (and extremely hott!!!!) After the mysterious death of their parents, he is the only family Miku has left.  Mafuyu visits Himuro Mansion in serach of Takamine, a famous novelist and mentor, who has disappeared.  Mafuyu also has a sixth sense and, just like his mother, can seal a sprirt's soul in a photograph with the special antique camera.

  Miyuki Hinasaki is the mother of Miku and Mafuyu.  Having her own keen spiritual sense, Miyuki, lke her daughter Miku, spent her childhood as a social outcast.  She was always very worried about the supernatural powers she may have passed down to her children.  

  Junsei Takamine is a famous and Mafuyu's Mentor.  Takamine not only gave him advice about his job, but also was a good friend.  Formally, a best-selling novelist, Takamine has fallen on hard times professionally.  Hoping to pen a new best seller, he researches an ancient ritual performed by the Himuro Family.  Deciding that a more personal investigation is required, he journeys to Himuro Mansion, accompanied by his editor and assistant.  Ever since then, no one has heard from them...

  Koji Ogata is Takamine's editor.  He accompanied Takamine on his trip, hoping to gather materials for his own horror magazine.  He has also gone missing.  The last anybody has heard of the three -- Takamine, Koji, and Tomoe -- was a report made by Koji to the editorial office.

  Tomoe Hirasaka is Takamine's assistant.  She too disappeared while visiting the Himuro Mansion with Takamine and Koji. Much like Miku, Tomoe also has a sixth sense.  Prior to their departure, she had an ominous premonition regarding the mansion, and now she too is missing.

Long ago, Kirie was a shrine maiden living in the Himuro Mansion. Her duty: To die so that Hell's Gate would never open and cause the Calamity. However, Kirie falls in love for a visitor who comes to the mansion. Her regret of dying causes the ritual to fail, and she became infected with Malace. She & the ghosts/spirits of those killed by the calamity haunt the mansion, and kill all those who enter. When Mafuyu enters the mansion, Kirie captures him, but keeps him alive because of his resemblence to the man she once loved.

  The camera has the amazing ability to capture images that can't be seen by ordinary people.  When used by a person of considerable spiritual power, the camera can even depict a soul in a photograph.  The camera was left by Miku's mother, but nobody knows wher she obtained it.  Many of its functions are no longer working.

The Strangling Ritual

A young maiden is chosen to become the Rope Shrine Maiden. The Himuro family would lock her up in a small dungeon-like room, where she wasn’t allowed to have any contact with the outside world. This was to make sure that the Rope Shrine Maiden remained pure and dedicated to her cause. This imprisonment lasted for 3669 days (approximately 10 years). The priests that took care of her, were ordered to wear masks all the time, to avoid that the Rope Shrine Maiden would become attached to them. Usually, the Rope Shrine Maiden suffers from her loneliness and wants to die. After 3669 days, on the 13th day of the 12th month, the Rope Shrine Maiden would be taken to the Moon Shrine. Inside, she would enter the Moon Well, where she was suppose to purify her body with moonlight. Once this task was done, the Family Master, priests and Himuro family would come to fetch her for the Strangling Ritual. The Strangling ritual was performed in the Rope Altar. Ropes were tied around the Rope Shrine Maiden’s arms, legs and neck. These ropes were attached to wheels and as the wheels are turned, the Rope Shrine Maiden’s limbs are pulled off. Once this was done, the Family Master and priests take the bloody ropes and tie them in front of the Hell Gate. The Holy Mirror is also placed in front of the Hell Gate and if everything is done correctly, the ropes should be strong enough to keep the Hell Gate from opening.

The Blinding Ritual

In the game, the blinded ghost is a maiden of holy power, who is taken into the masked room, held down, and the 'blinding mask' (a mask with spikes in the eyeholes) is thrust down over her eyes, gouging them out. The mask is then inserted into place in the Hell's gate. This ceremony is said to weaken the 'demons' behind the gate and 'blind' them. (Similar to the Kusabi ritual, both rituals keep the 'gate/abyss' under control until the actual ceremonies can occur.)

Screenshots:

Reviews

"Fatal Frame's eerie sounds and moody visuals will have you paralyzed with fear."   -Charles Herold, The New York Times "Makes Silent Hill 2 feel like Disneyland!"   -PSM   Info Sources: Beyond the Camera's Lens and The Fatal Frame Booklet