Shien (a Touhou LW original) refers to purple-colored smoke, particularly the smoke from tobacco. This is an apt temperament for Sannyo, who smokes while running her gambling den. Sannyo is endowed with Fire Phase, the element of smoke, and Sun Essence, since she maintains order in her gambling den. The formless and passionate Fire Phase resists Wood Phase, because wood feeds fire, but it is weak to Water Phase, because water dampens fire. The alluring and arrogant Sun Essence resists the diverse and uncooperative Star Essence, but it is weak to the cooperative and indecisive Moon Essence.

Sannyo Komakusa's ability as a yamajorou. She can apparently use tobacco smoke to control the mood of a place and manipulate the minds of everyone there. This is quite a strong ability, evidenced by how it affects not only kappa and yamawaro but tengu as well. Sannyo is also called Komakusa-dayuu, presumably as a title of respect for her position as a gambling den owner. Altering minds by burning incense has historically been the purview of shamans. They burned incense for religious rites and rituals, to heal people, and, presumably, to further political agendas. Considering the relationship between gambling houses and shrines, as well as the connections between yamajorou and shrine maidens, Sannyo Komakusa's ability may derive from the bygone shrine maiden profession of an earlier age. Yamajorou youkai and yamanba are closely related, and they are often thought to be either the exact same type of youkai or variants of the same species. They are also called yamahime or yama-onna. However, in all the tales and legends, only yamajorou are said to love tobacco. Apparently, you can even buy some time to escape from a yamajorou by scattering tobacco as a distraction. Similar to yamanba, many tales depict yamajorou as being kind to children. There is a yamanba named Nemuno Sakata in Gensokyo who prefers to live in isolation and refuses to let others enter her territory. Sannyo, on the other hand, holds gambling events in various places all over Gensokyo, including the Human Village. It's quite astounding how two similar youkai can be so different. Also, please note that humans shouldn't visit Sannyo's gambling den on the Youkai Mountain under any circumstances. Wait patiently until an event is held in the village.