“There’s a Shinto shrine in the town of Ise that’s considered the most sacred shrine in all Japan. It dates back to the fourth century, but since the 800’s it’s been ceremonially razed and rebuilt every twenty years, using traditional techniques and materials. At any given time, no single piece of the structure is older than two decades…but the Japanese will tell you the shrine is about two thousand years old.” “That makes perfect sense to me.”
In a conversation between Asterios and Ursula he once again brings to the fore his immense knowledge of architecture; this time however he also shows an uncharacteristic sensitivity revealing a deep appreciation for both the history of the building but also the great reverence the Japanese people show for the shrine and it’s continued existence. This appreciation of personal history and connection to the past and Ursula’s statement effectively crystalizes what Asterios has been trying to figure out and this moves him out of his rut.
“Your people?” “I was a shaman in a past life."
Ursula divulges her strong beliefs in New Age Philosophies and Spiritism by casually revealing to Asterios that she believes herself to be a reincarnated shaman when explaining her affinity for tobacco products. This event would be both a foreshadowing and the beginning of many odd and surprisingly deep metaphysical conversations between himself and the eccentric better half of Stiff Major.
"If it were possible for me to narrate this story, I’d begin here. This is Asterios Polyp. Right now, he’s watching his home burn up. Today—coincidentally—also happens to be his fiftieth birthday.”
This is the opening line of the graphic novel and it isn’t until much later on that it is revealed that it is actually Asterios’ stillborn twin brother speaking from the titular hero’s imagination, hence the line “If it were possible for me to narrate this story…” It is never clearly stated whether Ignazio’s narrations are the result of a mental breakdown, possibility from the great emotional and psychological stress he was facing from the burning down of his apartment, the result of a thinly veiled midlife crisis, or the product of plain old wishful thinking.
