Rikujtohen

Rikujtohen is a term used in speculative fiction and collaborative worldbuilding to denote a fictional concept with no single, fixed meaning. Depending on the author or project, it can refer to a place, a phenomenon, or a rule that connects disparate spaces, times, or realities.

Common interpretations include a liminal city or nexus existing between worlds; a ritual or oath that empowers travelers crossing dimensions; a field or gateway that facilitates cross-chronal travel. The exact concept is defined locally within each work, allowing rikujtohen to function as a flexible plot device.

Origins: The term appeared in online writing communities in the 2010s as part of shared universes and role-playing circles. Its openness has encouraged cross-fandom usage, with different communities adopting varied meanings and lore around rikujtohen.

Usage and significance: Because of its flexible meaning, rikujtohen serves as a convenient mechanism for crossovers and worldbuilding experiments. Writers can establish its rules, limits, and implications to suit the needs of a particular story or setting, while preserving a sense of mystery in others.

Notes: Rikujtohen is not a real-world language, place, or phenomenon. There is no canonical definition, and meanings are contingent on the work in which the term appears.

See also: nexus, portal, liminal space.