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The head shrine maiden in charge of Grand Narukami Shrine and a descendant of Kitsune lineage, Eternity's servant and friend, and the intimidating editor-in-chief of Yae Publishing House, a publisher of light novels...

—Description from the Official Website[1]

Personality

Lady Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine also serves as the editor-in-chief of Yae Publishing House. Unimaginable intelligence and cunning are hidden under her beautiful appearance.

—In-game character attributes and profile page text

Miko has a mysterious demeanor around her whenever she assumes her duties as the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine. When she assumes her duties as the boss of the Yae Publishing House, she is known to be very kind and enjoys reading books and stories,[2] although she also shows an obsessive side in making profits at the same time. She has an enigmatic air around her, with her friends growing used to it.[3] When speaking with outsiders or close friends, she shows a blunter and more cynical side to her. Miko does not mince words, even towards her friend and master Ei. Being a kitsune, Miko is fond of fried tofu. She despises pickled foods of all sorts.

As a kitsune and youkai, she's very mischievous, including in her roles as Guuji and owner of Yae Publishing House. She couples this mischievous streak with impressive skills of manipulation and reading people. As such her tricks and pranks are usually elaborate, long-winded affairs towards rather simple ends, which she does out of enjoyment and the fact that she enjoys watching people squirm.[4] This has caused many people, such as Thoma and Gorou to become easily terrified upon seeing her. If not partaking in such affairs, she shows interest in those who get her attention.

She is one of Ei's only friends who survived the ravages of time. She tends to call the Shogun by her true name, Ei. Ei herself also calls Miko by her given name, signifying their closeness and friendship.

Despite her light-hearted, mischievous personality, she showed a more emotional side during the Hyakkiyakou, indicating that she does genuinely care for those in her life and has considered thousands of youkai from across Inazuma to be her friends. Though in typical fashion for her, she quickly turns the Traveler and Paimon's sympathy into an opportunity to trick them into paying for an expensive dinner.

Appearance

Yae Miko uses the tall female model. She has fair skin, purple eyes, and thigh-length pink hair. In her regular form, Miko has purple eyes, and prominent red makeup painted at the corners of her eyes.

Miko has long, muted pink hair that is tied at the bottom. She also has pink fox ears that point downward. While she lacks a tail in this form,[5] they briefly appear as a set of five translucent tails when she uses Great Secret Art: Tenko Kenshin, or as one tail when she uses Yakan Evocation: Sesshou Sakura or when performing a Plunging Attack.

Being a kitsune, Miko also has a fox form, although she refuses to reveal it to the Traveler.

Official Introduction

"I have witnessed the Kitsune's majesty in the moonlit forest. She has a myriad of forms, revealing the unknown and the unseen... just as how fate shines on me and the endless world."

Ei

The Grand Narukami Shrine's head shrine maiden and a descendant of Kitsune lineage, Eternity's servant and friend... and the intimidating editor-in-chief of Yae Publishing House, a publisher of light novels.

There's no need to uncover her every facet, as they are all reflective of Yae Miko. Yet, all the same, they are not revealing of her true nature.

Like fragments of a mirror, each attitude reflects a different version of her. By being enveloped in many identities, she has become a brilliant diamond surrounded by countless mirrors.

There are hundreds of facets: solemn or cheerful, sympathetic or aloof.

No one knows the truth, just as how no one can easily spot a kitsune brushing past passers-by in the mystic woods.

But if the kitsune watches humans, where will her destiny lead?

Character Stories

Character Details

The head shrine maiden of the Grand Narukami Shrine, descendant of Hakushin's lineage, Eternity's servant and friend, and the intimidating editor-in-chief of Yae Publishing House, a publisher of light novels...

Come to think of it, Yae Miko's nicknames are as myriad as her changeable moods.

The number of people who have tried to "figure her out" for various reasons could fill the streets from the Tenryou Commission estate to Yae Publishing House if you were to line them all up, but to this day, very few indeed have succeeded.

Not that Miko has ever intended to conceal anything, of course. Any capriciousness is but the result of doing as she wills and pleases. A riddle with no solution is no riddle at all, in any case!

You just need to remember that she will always be none other than the wise and beautiful Yae Miko.

Character Story 1

Item Companionship EXP Friendship Lv. 2


Yae Publishing House's editors once submitted a certain manuscript to the editor-in-chief.

This work was well-written, clearly thought out, and the themes were romance with a side of comedy — a prime slice of the zeitgeist.

Such a gem would surely require but a thin coat of polish and a few beautiful illustrations to sell well!

But unexpectedly, Yae Miko did not seem pleased with this, instead heaving a deep sigh before calling for the various head editors.

One of them asked hesitantly, "Lady Yae, I... Well, I did ask him to write on this topic, yes, but isn't this the hot genre of the day?"

Faced with the editor's doubtful gaze, Miko gave her opinion forthrightly: that a book that should have been interesting yet was shackled at every turn by the topic was, simply put, "not free enough."

Things like "top sellers," "genre fiction," these were naught but fads that would come and go every decade.

Getting with the times was a shortcut, yes, but if a work had the quality that could surmount this tide, why go with the flow nonetheless?

"Pass this message to this new author of ours: tell him that there's no need to bother about genre. He just needs to write his story and write it well."

Upon hearing this, the author stopped writing for a time, as if suddenly having an epiphany. Several months later, a new manuscript was sent to Miko and her editors.

The latter were stunned, and even Yae Miko, who cared little about taboos, furrowed her brows slightly — a rare sight indeed.

"Um... What do we do? This isn't good..."

"Exactly! I mean, there's 'not being concerned about genre, and then there's something like 'Shogun Almighty: Reborn as Raiden'... This is just too much!"

"Hmm? Genre? No, no, there's no problem with that — it's his pen name I'm worried about. It's too normal for a book like this."

"Huh, so that was what you were concerned about... No, uh, never mind. As long as you're happy, Lady Yae."

Not long after, the author of this book would take to the literary stage with the Yae Miko-approved (and overly long) pen name "Kadenokouji Kenzaburou."

As to how the editor-in-chief got the idea to start a "Reborn as Guuji Yae" writing submission event, that would be a tale for another day.

Character Story 2

Item Companionship EXP Friendship Lv. 3


If there was something inconvenient about being the Guuji, it is that she must attend every shrine ceremony, dressed up to the nines and in her proper place in the sanctuary.

The fireworks paint the night skies as they blossom, and the sounds of human merriment fill the shrine, and yet she must sit within, a solemn smile on her face...

Such tragedies are even more frightful to Miko than the possible wholesale disappearance of Fried Tofu from Teyvat.

With the somewhat longer span of years that the Electro Archon's servants have, a hundred years pass in the blink of an eye. As the years fly by, boredom becomes the greatest foe.

And if even she were, archon-forbid, one day to accept sitting quietly still, obstinate as deadwood, would the world now sorely lack for another clever person adept at discovering fun and grasping opportunity?

As such, looking for fun things to do in every nook and cranny can only be the most reasonable and necessary course.

And if she were to, say, utilize her authority as Guuji in making fun things happen — why, some things are unavoidable, are they not?

On the day of the festival, Guuji Yae would nod in satisfaction as she received a delivery of fireworks from the Yashiro Commission — of Naganohara construction and specially-made to boot.

That night's ceremony was, of course, performed with perfect respect to all etiquette and rites.

The sight of the "Lady Guuji" kneeling gracefully the whole night through would be the object of awe for all the other shrine maidens.

In the meantime, she would sit beneath the meteor shower of light adorning the skies, watching the festival-goers as they came and went.

And the din of the fireworks covered the mumbling that came between teeth chewing on a candy apple.

"You know, when you asked me to become Guuji, you never mentioned that I'd only ever be able to sneak outside to watch the festivities from then on."

Character Story 3

Item Companionship EXP Friendship Lv. 4


Pursuing fun and finding happiness is how Miko lives her everyday life.

For someone who enjoys studying humanity like her, "perspectives" and "virtue" play distant second fiddles to "fun."

Even a great shrine maiden of a different faith or an enemy general might pique her interest.

...That said, this appreciation can sometimes lead to some innocuous trouble.

As opposed to those conscientious underlings or worshipful juniors, Miko's favorite person at the shrine is a shrine maiden named Kano Nana.

Yes, that Kano Nana, the novel enthusiast (just like Miko) who constantly frets over Sayu.

While laying about indoors, Miko would often see Sayu flash past the window, followed not long after by a hurried and angry Kano Nana.

Like lightning and thunder they were, which caught Miko's attention, to the point where she would even sometimes give wrong directions just to let the ruckus go on for a little longer.

There was another time when Sayu told Miko that the afternoon sun was the most pleasant after the latter had helped her steal some time for napping.

Perhaps encouraged by these words, Miko would transform into an ordinary Inazuman lady on a wonderfully sunny afternoon, descend from the mountain and have a day out.

The Aisa Bathhouse in the city, Hanamizaka's Kiminami Restaurant, Ogura Textiles and Kimonos by the streetside... she did not miss a single store, and every one was an enjoyable experience.

And in the evening, she was at Bantan Sango Detective Agency to tell them of a missing animals case that she had heard about on the way.

"But you really must help, good detectives. I mean, one can barely stand to watch those owners cry their eyes out as it is..."

Having done all this, the lady could not help but let slip a pleased smile.

Taking part in Inazuma's daily life in such an identity really was fun.

Well, except that part where Kujou Sara shot her a suspicious glance as they passed each other by.

Right, and also, she probably owed the boss of Aisa Bathhouse an apology — the outland-styled hot springs were indeed very good, but she might have accidentally shed some fox fur during the soak.

Character Story 4

Item Companionship EXP Friendship Lv. 5


A long, long time ago, humanity did not need to use the phrase "a long, long time ago" to preface tales about youkai.

The tengu dominated the skies, the oni swept across the battlefield, the tanuki were seen along small paths, and the kitsune walked amongst humans.

Under the banner of Narukami, the incredible powers of the youkai host were used to help humans through an era of strife and poverty.

Seeking refuge in the mountains, they built a city by the sea, and so began Inazuma.

Amongst the youkai, the lineage of Hakushin Kitsune was the most revered, and it was this great line that left a great many tales amongst humans.

Whenever the youkai gathered to feast and sup together, a little braggadocio about how their latest exploits had become legend anew was very much a given.

Of course, considering the amount they would drink, most tales told afterward would diverge a little from the truth. But no one minded, asking only that the tale be interesting. As time passed, this became known as "hyakumonogatari daikai," or "the great meeting of a hundred tales."

It was no uncommon sight to see Urakusai raise his cup and speak, holding all the other youkai spellbound with his story, drawing even smiles from Kitsune Saiguu, the organizer of the event.

Instead it was Miko, who was then in the form of a young kitsune, who would perch on Kitsune Saiguu's shoulder and relentless peck at any loopholes in Urakusai's story.

Urakusai, being a cool-headed and brilliant gentleman, would explain as he twirled his beard.

But Miko could always find something new to nitpick, and so they would go, back and forth, until Lady Saiguu would smile and call both parties to a halt: the audience wanted to hear the next part, after all.

After another three rounds of drink and several more rounds of stories, the company would be hard-pressed to even string a sentence together, let alone a story.

And so the gathered youkai would dispense with the word-fencing and use their powers to take to the skies to see who could best cover the sky and moon with their powers.

And thus it was said that "a hundred youkai shall parade upon a moonless night."

Five hundred years on, that little kitsune has already become a mighty youkai in her own right.

As for the youkai who drank with them in those days, they disappeared amidst war and history, and their remaining bloodlines grow thinner by the day.

And thus did their great parade, the Hyakkiyakou, become something that happened "a long, long time ago."

Character Story 5

Item Companionship EXP Friendship Lv. 6


The swords of Inazuma have always been famous the world over, and the best works of the Raiden Gokaden in particular are national treasures.

However, only a short time ago, more than half of the five artisan lineages were cut off.

A great number of powerful people were caught up in that conspiracy, and those responsible were all called to account and banished.

Even the Yashiro Commission's Kamisato Clan was implicated due to their failure in supervising their subordinates...

But before the Shogun could give her final judgment, the Lady Guuji, who usually did not meddle in government affairs, suddenly interceded, rescuing the Kamisato Clan in their hour of peril.

Thus, while they suffered a serious blow, they were spared from dismissal.

In the years that followed, others would speculate greatly concerning the Guuji's actions.

Some observed the close relations between the Yashiro Commission and the Grand Narukami Shrine, and guessed that she had intended to foster advocates loyal to her.

And yet the shrine had always been an entity unto itself, and the Lady Guuji did not usually meddle in governance. Thus this action seemed a sacrifice greater than the reward — hardly a wise decision.

Some others said that the Guuji suspected something to be wrong with the whole situation, and now that the list of those involved was so extensive, any major shakeup in the Yashiro Commission could destabilize Inazuma itself.

This thought, too, seemed reasonable on face, yet did not stand up to scrutiny. After all, was not the rise and fall of great houses merely ordinary in the grand scheme of mortal affairs? And even if the Kamisato were to fall from grace, new leadership for the Yashiro Commission would emerge.

Yet another story said that Miko engaged in secret talks with the Kamisato clan head just after the initial shockwaves had died down.

But the wounded clan was like a candle in the wind at this point. What power could they have to change the situation?

To this day, all these speculations have never amounted to anything, nor have any answers emerged concerning Miko's actions and motivations.

But what none know is how Miko's words that day would become as engraved into the Kamisato Clan as their house's crest.

"That the Kamisato Clan has survived this incident is only due to the Shogun's mercy. Do not forget this in the days that follow."

These words would serve as a seed of destiny, foreshadowing the Yashiro Commission's future position.

In some other time, if a storm were to descend upon Inazuma, and even if they were to come into conflict with the other two commissions, the Yashiro Commission's Kamisato Clan would remember the favor they were shown and abide the Shogun's path to Eternity.

This was a move that the Guuji played with no regrets whatsoever.

Fire-Soothing Festival Committee

Item Companionship EXP Friendship Lv. 4


The Fire-Soothing Festival Committee was once an organization chaired by the Tenryou Commission and managed by the Grand Narukami Shrine, whose remit was to pray for a lack of any fires in the coming year.

In those days, Inazuman houses were mostly made of wood, and any carelessness while handling fire could lead to disaster.

Thus, the Tenryou Commission was charged by the Shogun with setting up fire brigades to conduct rescues and damage control when fires did break out, and they also requested that the Grand Narukami Shrine set the Fire-Soothing Festival Committee up to comfort the frightened people.

In later years, anti-fire precautions would become second nature and serious cases would no longer occur often, but still the annual festival would remain.

The shrine maidens would dance elegantly, and the people would give generously... with the proceeds split forty-sixty between the Commission and the Shrine.

When Yae Miko was faced with financial issues while attempting to start Yae Publishing House, she considered the various services that the shrine ran at the time before locking onto this ancient traditional committee.

"I mean, the busywork is solely done by the Grand Narukami Shrine, so why do we have to split the proceeds with the Tenryou Commission?"

"What's more, all that Mora's just going into Kujou Senior's pockets. It's not like the fire brigade has ever gotten a year-end bonus or anything."

As such, after some preparation, the Fire-Soothing Festival of that year would be changed to no longer feature dancing shrine maidens but a grand, rollicking light novel submission contest.

The organizing body for this competition and any subsequent publications, the "Yae Publishing House," would also "borrow" the Fire-Soothing Festival Committee's budget.

As for the profits? Into the shrine's coffers they went.

"Well, we no longer have many fires, and yet our budget keeps increasing. Thus, this restructuring relieves the financial burden placed upon the people."

"Also, the study of lore and the writing of literature and poetry is also a way of pleasing our Archon — surely you do not claim to know more of ritual and ceremony than I?"

That was what Yae Miko said most solemnly to Kujou Takayuki when he came by unannounced.

The Tenryou Commissioner was ultimately forced to leave the way he came, stormy-faced, along with his attendants.

Little did any of them know that the moment they stepped out of the shrine, the somber Lady Miko would pluck a novel manuscript from the nearby offering box and continue annotating it.

Vision

Item Companionship EXP Friendship Lv. 6


"That was a contest of magic for the ages! The foe split the seas as they strode across the skies, heaven and earth changing hue as they approached!"

"Gohei in hand, the Lady Guuji was solemn as she strode up Mt. Yougou."

"All around her the shrine maidens chanted their mantras as the clouds masked the sun, the thunder waiting within for the moment to strike!"

"..."

"The battle was a grinding, protracted affair. In time, even the Guuji began to falter, and the enemy seized that opening, lashing out with great force!"

"Just then, a bolt of lightning descended like a falling star before the Guuji — a glimmering Vision!"

"Grasping it in her hand, the revivified Guuji showed forth her power and..."

"Now wait just a minute! None of what you just said happened, right?"

"Hmm? Well, how about this then? It all started the day when I had a most vicious "Ramen Duel" down in Hanamizaka...

"Oh, come on! Nobody's ever gotten a Vision from eating ramen!"

"But wouldn't that be interesting? I mean, these are the sorts of stories you like to hear, right?"

Yae Miko gave a thin, enigmatic smile as she was faced with the traveler's curiosity.

"After all, would you believe me if I said that 'my Vision is purely ornamental, just for show,' little one? Hardly — not even if it were the truth."

Namecard

Yae Miko: Kitsune Dreaming
Item Yae Miko: Kitsune Dreaming Obtain:
Reward for reaching Friendship Level 10 with Yae Miko
Description:
Where can Yae Miko's fox form be found? In your dreams, that's where.

Constellation

Divina Vulpes
Divina VulpesStory Chapter:
Divina Vulpes
Meaning:
Divine Fox

Quests and Events

Archon Quests

Story Quests

Hangout Events

Events

Web Events

Character Trials

Quests

Quest Domains

Events

Test Run Events

Character Mentions

Character Stories

CharacterStories

Character Voice-Overs

CharacterVoice-Overs
  • About Shrine Maidens 
    Paimon: The clothes that shrine maidens wear are quite unique.
    (TravelerTraveler): I heard that after the Sakoku Decree is lifted, Yae Miko plans to run a rental service where people can try on shrine maiden outfits as a tourist attraction in various places. Combined with the latest Kamera technology from Fontaine, it seems like a real Mora maker.
    Paimon: Oh!
    (TravelerTraveler): (‍The shrine maidens in the Grand Shrine even asked me if I knew any pretty girls who are willing to become models. All they need to do is to dress up in a shrine maiden outfit and smile to the Kamera. They even asked me to be a model and said all I needed was some makeup.The shrine maidens in the Grand Shrine even asked me if I knew any pretty girls who are willing to become models. All they need to do is to dress up in a shrine maiden outfit and smile to the Kamera. They even asked me to be a model and said all I needed was some makeup. Tooltip for The shrine maidens in the Grand Shrine even asked me if I knew any pretty girls who are willing to become models. All they need to do is to dress up in a shrine maiden outfit and smile to the Kamera. They even asked me to be a model and said all I needed was some makeup./The shrine maidens in the Grand Shrine even asked me if I was interested in becoming a model! All I need to do is wear a shrine maiden outfit and smile to the Kamera. They also asked me if I knew any other cute girls.The shrine maidens in the Grand Shrine even asked me if I was interested in becoming a model! All I need to do is wear a shrine maiden outfit and smile to the Kamera. They also asked me if I knew any other cute girls.‍)
    Paimon: What!?
    (TravelerTraveler): I immediately shared this idea with Rosaria. I feel like they can do something similar at the Church of Favonius with the garments they wear.
    Paimon: Wait, Paimon doesn't think that a...
    (TravelerTraveler): Sadly, Rosaria found the idea of it too troublesome.
    Paimon: Maybe it's for the better...

Mails

SenderMails

Mail

Trivia

  • Yae Miko is one of the characters with ornaments that glow. While wearing her default outfit, Miko's Instruction, when Yae Miko's Elemental Burst is ready, the purple gem in her other earring will glow along with her Vision.
  • In the Genshin Impact 2020 New Years tweet, Miko welcomed Kamisato Ayaka to her shrine as the first guest of the year.
  • While the Chinese, Japanese, and French official introductions for Zhongli featured a quote from Raiden Ei to Yae Miko, the English equivalent tweet left Miko's name out.[6]
  • Miko is younger than Ganyu. In her debut in the Chinese version of the Version 1.5 Special Program, she refers to Ganyu as 甘雨姐姐 Gānyǔ-jiějie,[7] wherein 姐姐 jiějie is a term used that literally means "older sister" but is generally used for any older female, even if they are not blood-related.
  • Miko is a kitsune from the Hakushin Clan and possesses a fox form. In Japanese mythology, kitsune are spiritual fox-like creatures with a reputation for cleverness. Befitting Miko's close ties with the Raiden Shogun, the God of Eternity, mythological kitsune are believed to live for thousands of years and symbolize eternity.
    • While Miko calls herself a Sky Kitsune, or Tenko, based on her age and number of tails she has (five), Miko would only be the rank of Kiko in kitsune society with Ashireiko being the lowest and Tenko being the highest according to Japanese folklore.
  • Yae Miko is inspired by Yae Sakura from Honkai Impact 3rd, another game developed by HoYoverse, and shares a number of similarities with her:
    • They share physical characteristics, such as having long pink hair, purple eyes, and fox ears.
    • The two share the surname Yae (八重).
    • Both are miko associated with foxes.
    • Yae Sakura is of Japanese origin, while Inazuma is Japanese-themed.
    • They are both voiced by Du Mingya in Chinese and Ayane Sakura in Japanese.
  • While performing her normal uncharged attacks, Miko does not use her equipped Catalyst, instead using her gohei staff.
  • Yae Miko may have studied under the onmyouji Kamuna Harunosuke (who was closely acquainted with the Kitsune Saiguu), the inventor of Onmyoudou; the Chinese and Japanese names of her Normal Attack contain the term shiki ("law," "ceremony," or "formula"), which can mean shikigami (Onmyoudou familiars) in the context of mystic arts.
  • Ei learned how to transfer her consciousness into inanimate objects from Yae Miko, implying that she herself also has this ability.[10]
  • Yae Miko is known by these aliases or titles:
  • During The Almighty Arataki Great and Glorious Drumalong Festival, Yae Miko signs a message with the name "Ramen Buddy."
  • Yae Miko is mentioned in the descriptions of the following 3 Furnishings:

Etymology

Notes

Other Languages

Character Title: Astute Amusement

LanguageOfficial NameLiteral Meaning
EnglishAstute Amusement
Chinese
(Simplified)
浮世笑百姿
Fúshì Xiào Bǎizī
Chinese
(Traditional)
浮世笑百姿
Fúshì Xiào Bǎizī
Japanese浮世笑百姿
Ukiyo Warai Hyakushi‍[!][!]
A Hundred Figures Laughing at the Fleeting World‍[※][※]
Korean속세를 비웃는 가지 자태
Soksereul Biunneun Baek Gaji Jatae
A Hundred Figures Mocking the Mundane World
SpanishLa Kitsune TaimadaThe Sly Kitsune
FrenchFrivolité ingénieuseIngenious Frivolity
RussianОзорное лукавство
Ozornoye lukavstvo
Mischievous Slyness
Thaiยิ้มเล่ห์กลยลโลกา
VietnameseTiếu Ngạo Thế GianWorldly Arrogance
GermanVerhöhnung der SterblichenMockery of Mortals
IndonesianAstute Amusement
PortugueseDiversão AstutaAstute Amusement
TurkishAkıl Eğlencesi
ItalianDivertimento astutoAstute Amusement

References

  1. Official Genshin Impact Website: Yae Miko
  2. NPC Dialogue: Kano Nana
  3. Raiden Shogun's Voice-Over: About Yae Miko
  4. Yae Miko's Voice-Over: Miko's Hobbies
  5. Hangout Event, Gorou, Act I - The Canine General's Special Operations: What Shall We Do?
  6. Twitter: Zhongli's JP introduction
  7. Bilibili: Version 1.5 Special Program (Chinese)
  8. Ganyu's Character Story: Vision
  9. Ganyu's Character Story: Character Story 3
  10. Archon Quest, Chapter II, Act III - Omnipresence Over Mortals, Part 8: The Omnipresent God
  11. YouTube: Character Demo - "Yae Miko: Anecdote of a Divine Kitsune Guuji"
  12. Weblio: 八重

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