Episode 4 (Hanyō no Yashahime)

The Gateway to the Past is the fourth episode of Hanyō no Yashahime.

Synopsis
To be added

Summary
The three girls resolve to return to the past to capture the Dream Butterfly and restore Setsuna's ability to sleep. As they spend a few days in the modern world, Setsuna masters the violin and becomes fond of it, while Moroha discovers Root Head in the Tree of Ages and negotiates with him to reopen the portal in exchange for their Rainbow Pearls. Setsuna takes the violin with her while Moroha brings a massive bag of modern supplies. Grandpa Higurashi gives Moroha a few gifts like a kappa's foot. Towa bids farewell to her family and the three jump into the portal. They are interrupted by the Spirit of the Tree of Ages, who takes Kikyo's form. She asks them to slay Kirinmaru, an old rival of their grandfather, the Great Dog General, who plans to take over Japan, and Sesshōmaru, who has joined forces with Kirinmaru. Setsuna refuses, saying she doesn't care about the father she never met, while Towa doesn't want to kill her father on principle. The spirit transports them to Root Head, who attacks them for their Rainbow Pearls. Root Head is able to drain their powers, but Moroha uses the kappa's foot as a weapon to weaken him. They defeat him and arrive in the past to be greeted by Kaede, Kohaku, and Hisui. Towa realizes that without Root Head, they have no means to return to the modern world. Meanwhile, the Spirit of the Tree of Ages watches over Rin, who is in suspended animation, and asks Sesshōmaru how he plans to revive her.

Trivia

 * Grandpa Higurashi offers Moroha the same alleged mummified foot of a kappa he tried to offer Kagome for her 15th birthday in the very first episode, and Moroha makes the same expression Kagome did, but otherwise has the opposite reaction.
 * The path used to go back to the feudal era is similar to the spirit road often used in Kyoukai no Rinne.