video;

[jiyuujin]

[The video opens on a man who couldn't be called old, neither did he exactly appear young though the way he's dressed suggests that he's some noble from some ancient time. There's a cup of tea beside him and as he moves and speaks, it's with a kind of ethereal grace.]

For those of you from Japan you may be aware that Obon season is upon us. For those not familiar with it, Obon is a time to honor those that have departed the world, celebrate their life and invite their spirits back into our own lives for a few days. That may sound rather somber but it's really quite a joyous affair.

Although the particulars are somewhat unique to Japan, I believe there are similar traditions all over the world. I'd love to hear about them if you are familiar with any of them.

I would also like to extend an invitation to a festival that we will be having in a couple weeks around our home in Caihong. [He says our home as if he's done anything to make his housemates or employees aware of these plans. Maybe this explains the boxes they have been piling up in the back of their estate as of late.]

Make your way to the teahouse, Tsukiyo on the 14th of this month for a night of festival food and dancing. Light a lantern for someone you care about and end it all with a bang. There will be fireworks, to put it plainly. It hasn't quite felt like summer without any as of yet, don't you agree?

I hope to see you all there.

[He pauses here to sip his tea. Seems he's not quite done yet.]

Before I leave you, there is one small inquiry I'd like to make as well. I'm in need of someone capable of repairing a sword. I'm happy to pay for this service and I can guarantee a modest amount of additional business in return.

Comments

[nihonkoku]

Most of us, [ he agrees. after all, even nations eventually fade, no matter how invincible they might seem.

a brief pause, then a small tilt of his head. ] It's only natural that I should be concerned, is it not? You're one of my citizens. [ and.. more. mikazuki and others like mikazuki are important to him for a number of reasons, and only the smallest of those reasons is because they're priceless parts of his history. ]

[jiyuujin]

That's getting rather sentimental over someone who isn't precisely a person, don't you think?

[Then again, it's coming from someone who isn't either. Maybe that makes him a hypocrite.]

[nihonkoku]

[ he clicks his tongue. ] You have a soul, do you not? That's certainly person enough by my standards. After all, don't forget that I was around when spirits and gods and monsters walked my lands much more openly than humans did.

[jiyuujin]

[He's just going to latch onto that topic of conversation thank you very much.]

Ah those days were quite fun, don't you think? One of my earliest memories is of Ibaraki Douji when he came down from his mountain to hold the capital and all its women in his thrall. And the collective sigh of relief that was breathed by the whole city when the Fujiwara clan could finally chase him off.

[nihonkoku]

[ he heaves a sigh. ] Fun is one way of looking at it, I suppose. [ as much as he misses his non-human people, the more powerful ones could certainly be destructive when the mood took them. but then, the same can be said of humans. ] .. I've considered that Ibaraki Douji and others like him might also be brought here. [ please help japan in that case. ]

[jiyuujin]

It is fun when your world is restricted to the confines of your pedestal. Not that we had a mind to care back then.

[Is that too sad? It's fine. He laughs it off.]

If that should happen then we should hope that Abe no Seimei follows along with them. Or someone like him. Perhaps they could help with those kitsune locals too.