Addendum 2: Experiment log excerpts
Experiment record 1579-JP-01~03 - 20██/██/██
Researcher: Dr. Sugawara
Subjects: D-111245, D-111246, D-111247
Aim: Confirm anomalous cognitohazard centered around Akino Shrine.
Enactment process: D-111245, D-111246, and D-111247 are shown a dog plushie at the Shrine’s grounds. Before the experiment, D-111246 identified the plushie to be used for the experiment, and D-111247 was briefed on the nature of the experiment, and was asked to report on if the plushie was seen as a living dog during the experiment.
Note: Please note that experiment was conducted immediately following initial containment, and SCP-1579-JP had not yet been identified.
Result: D-111245 and D-111246 claimed the plushie to be a Siberian husky puppy. Additionally, D-111247 and researcher Sugawara recognized the plushie as a puppy, but unlike D-111245 and D-111246, they could recognize that it was a stuffed animal. D-111245and D-111246 showed strong attachment to the plushie during the post-experiment interview. Following the completion of the experiment, Akino Shrine was designated SCP-1579-JP and containment procedures were enacted.
Analysis: A part of the anomalous traits assumed to come from the object were identified. It must be noted that the results of the survey yielded two different outcomes for depending of the observer: In addition to the trait confirmed at the time of “being able to distinguish non-living items as animals without consistency issues”, observers could also “perceive non-living items as items, with the contradiction being understood”. From the previous investigation and survey, it can be concluded that the object holds the ability to alter memories or perception, and that the strength of the anomalous cognitohazard can be lowered with knowledge of the anomalous trait.
I wasn’t able to talk with D-111245 until after the experiment concluded. He was anxious about the plushie as if it was a living being, and told me that “we were holding the dog the wrong way”. - Dr. Sugawara
Experiment record 1579-JP-09~18 - 20██/██/██
Researcher: Dr. Sugawara
Subject: D-111248
Aim: Extract anomalous articles designated as SCP-1579-JP
Enactment process: A dog plushie was placed in a laboratory alongside random items taken from the Akino Shrine, with D-111248 placed to reply to what they saw in the room. Dr. Sugawara, who’s taken anti-memetic treatment, is observing from a separate room.
Note: Performed to redefine object as SCP-1579-JP’s anomaly had not been identified in experiments since experiment record 1579-JP-03.
Result: Only when the statue was placed down during experiment 1579-JP-18 did D-111248 claim the plushie was Akita dog, as well as claiming the statue was a Tosa dog. At this time, Dr. Sugawara could not see any change, and when Sugawara explained the discrepancy to D-111248, they could not comprehend the difference. Furthermore, D-111248 showed great attachment towards the plushie.
Analysis: First time the anomaly was reconfirmed in experiment of extracted objects from the shrine. Experimentation from this point on will operate that this statue is the source of the anomaly, and has been temporarily classified as SCP-1579-JP. SCP-1579-JP had been under surveillance since before the experiment as being influenced by the object due to being seen as a dog despite being a statue. For this reason, it’s believed SCP-1579-JP is constantly exposed to its own anomaly. As anti-memetic measures were found to be useful against SCP-1579-JP’s anomaly, the anti-memetic observation room will continue to be used as a measure against the anomaly.
Experiment record 1579-JP-31- 20██/██/██
Researcher: Dr. Urushihara
Subjects: Dr. Urushihara, D-186250
Aim: Verification of exposure of researcher in charge to SCP-1579-JP’s anomaly in response to Case 1579-JP-01
Enactment process: A dog plushie is put inside of the laboratory, and D-186250 is told to answer what they see. Dr. Sugawara then enters the laboratory, and both them and D-186252 are asked what they saw. Dr. Urushihara is in a separate room with anti-memetic measures on.
Result: D-186250 correctly recognized the plushie as a stuffed toy, but upon Dr. Sugawara entering the room, they claimed the stuffed toy to be a golden retriever. Dr. Sugawara also recognized the plushie the same way, and both showed great attachment towards it. Class-B amnestics were given to both, and their perception returned to normal. In response, appropriate memory treatment was given to all Site-81██ personnel.
Analysis: It was confirmed that Dr. Sugawara had the cognition anomalous effect of SCP-1579-JP. From this point onwards, subjects with this anomaly originating from SCP-1579-JP are classified as SCP-1579-JP-1. As Dr. Sugawara was exposed to SCP-1579-JP during experiment log 1579-JP-01, Foundation is discussing the re-examination of the experiment to confirm its credibility. As Class-B amnestics are effective in cancelling SCP-1579-JP’s cognitohazard, this treatment is to be made mandatory for all personnel in charge of SCP-1579-JP.
Addendum 3: Interview log 1579-JP-01 - 20██/██/██
This interview is the transcript of a portion of an interview survey conducted on the Akino Shrine’s head priest, Mr. ██, prior to its securing.
Interviewee: Head priest
Interviewer: Agent Inui
<Start recording>
[Extraneous conversation has been omitted]
Agent Inui: I just moved here so I hadn’t heard of this place. What’s the history of this shrine?
Head priest: Ah, history, well, this shrine wasn’t established until after the war. It looks extremely old due to a lack of maintenance, but perhaps it’s that that makes people say it has a certain charm to it, like it has seen better days. I have mixed feelings about such a thing.
Agent Inui: Have you been the head priest all this time? Did your father or grandfather build this place?
Head priest: No, no. The truth is, I’m not even native to the area. As I found myself here, I borrowed the position of this shrine’s head priest. Mr. Aki is the one who planned the shrine on this land.
Agent Inui: Aki, is that a local?
Head priest: It’s understandable that you don’t know him, he’s long gone from this place… Ah, sorry, I’m getting off topic.
Agent Inui: No, no, thanks for the help. Now, mind if I ask about the deity enshrined here?
Head priest: Well, what this shrine deifies is the development of man and animal as neighbors on this Earth. And among all of them, it’s “Kureo” who we care about the most.
[The chief priest points at SCP-1579-JP]
Agent Inui: So this animal is a deity, yeah?
Head priest: Kureo is an impressive one. It has found dogs who’ve strayed from the first star, and has played with them, fed them milk and protected them until they are able to return to their parents’ home.
Agent Inui: So it’s like a mother dog.
Head priest: No, no, he’s a young man about your age.
Agent Inui: Eh? A young man, and not a dog?
Head priest: Yes, that’s it. The teachings Kureo imparts is that, in short, the shape of our existence is in the definition of “what kind of person we are”. And if you have a strong enough desire, the way you are and the way others see you will change.
Agent Inui: Ah, I see, it’s a narrative. It’s a story that, in order to accomplish what you want, you have to strongly believe in it.
Head priest: No, it isn’t just a tale. In simple terms, it means we can be anything we wish to be. Being a human does not mean I am a human. Everyone vaguely thinks I am human because I act as a human. That is why being a human is, in a way, a tie of obligation. Kureo’s deeds transcend humanity, and loses it. And that is not a miserable thing, of course. Human beings always see happiness in relative terms. Absolute happiness is only achieved when people lose sight of all other people… Sorry, I’m just repeating what Mr. Aki has told me.
Agent Inui: I see. So, what kind of person was the Aki who built this shrine? Why did he build it in the first place?
Head priest: That is something I do not know. However, there is one more thing I remember Mr. Aki saying. Welcome hunger with love, and fear ethics, he said. No matter how much you warp yourself for the sake of your cravings, you must advance without fear. Under Kureo’s enlightenment, all will subconsciously spread his word. Kureo himself would do this, even.
Agent Inui: So, um, priest? What in the hell is this Kureo dog?
Head priest: I wonder what the original one looked like. The Kureo here is more of a vessel for the original concept of him, as Kureo himself isn’t with us anymore. Before I got to know him, Kureo was taken away by Mr. Aki. Out of the many Mr. Aki created, he was the most authentic, or rather the most legitimate object. We’ll meet him somewhere at the end of the galaxy. However, only Kureo will be there by his side. I think that’s a good thing, though. Exposing what should be kept secret, without blame to your name. That’s a forbidden thing that is desired, and the good dog that seeks this and offers its soul in exchange is the one Mr. Aki loves the most. Kureo has been converted. He’s become a being with a higher level of pleasure.
<End recording>
Closing statement: Following the containment of the shrine, the head priest was given Class-B amnestic treatment. As a result of interviews with surrounding residents according to the priest’s testimony, a known celebrity with the nickname of “master AKI” associated with the Akino Shrine was identified, and a local resident by the name of Kureo ██ was discovered to have disappeared around the time the object was believed to have been created. Furthermore, The survey also confirmed that there is a localized belief in ██ City regarding the special sanctity of livestock and pet animals. The Foundation has concluded that this has is connected to SCP-1579-JP’s anomaly and its origins, and an investigation is currently ongoing.