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

voice

[spellspeak]

[Natsume definitely notices that traditional clothing and that piques his interest enough, but the idea of the festival helps too.]

I commend your desire to share such traditions HERE. I look forward to IT.

text;

[liberaltus]

I suppose the closest thing we have to celebrate the dead in Thedas would be All Souls Day at the beginning of Matrinalis. A somber day of remembrance for the dead though it can become festive, people in the northern regions dress up as spirits, or an approximation of spirits, and a parade is held on the streets after midnight.

In other, more devoutly religious areas, pyres are lit in the memory of Andraste, the bride of the Maker, and people put on plays depicting her death. A bit morbid really.

Of course, like most holidays, All Souls Day was sequestered from an entirely different holiday known as Funalis, but that's how these things go.

voice;

[jiyuujin]

What can I say? I was feeling rather nostalgic. And I'm sure for some it will be a welcome change of pace from the demands of the more local events.

text;

[jiyuujin]

Ah naturally. Neither can Japan claim the origins of Obon. Rather it was adapted from the customs of a nearby nation when their faith was passed on to us. It was quite fascinating observe the transition.

Your All Souls Day seems reminiscent of a tradition known as Halloween in our world, particularly the part about dressing up for the occasion. Though I believe the costumes were meant to deter the spirits rather than emulate them. It's grown to be quite popular where I'm from though it lacks any theological connotations. Merely an excuse for celebration now. [Whether there's a problem with that or not, isn't for him to say though.]

[spellspeak]

Nostalgia certainly isn't a bad thing when channeled constructIVELY.

But I am a little curious about what sorts of things, if ANY, the natives do in honor of the depARTED.

text;

[liberaltus]

Funalis was a day designed to celebrate one of the old dragon gods, Dumat, but after the first Blight in our world and the corruption of Dumat into an Archdemon we've tried to distance ourselves from the celebration by transforming it into something else.

Ah, well it could be worse, Nevarra have their own methods for honoring the dead that involves creating a Grand Necropolis, filling it with the mummified corpses of the dead and stuffing them with wisps from the Fade so that their bodies may wader the city.

[jiyuujin]

Hmmm you're right. This whole business with the moons certainly comes across as a pantheon with a culture and customs of its own. [Not to mention the religious zealots they dealt with so recently. But lets not think about that!]

I suppose the first thing to sort out would be what happens to a person when they die but that would necessitate the need for someone to be disposed of. [How unfortunate??]

[spellspeak]

InDEED. It's clear that while they are developed technologically they still value tradition and lore very HIGHLY.

[He hums.] There were those fights at the casiNO, YES? I wonder if there were any casualTIES. [He avoided that whole mess since he had been busy being nosy elsewhere.]

Hm~ Now that you mention it they seem to work quite hard to skirt around the issue of DEATH, don't THEY? They even contain crime to a very specific area so it makes one wonder if they prefer to try and avoid morbid THINGS.

( video )

[nihonkoku]

This is a wonderful idea, and it's very kind of you to extend the invitation to so many. [ and it's nice to have people doing familiar things..

but then he hesitates, a line forming between his brows in concern. ] That you haven't found anyone to do repairs yet is concerning, but.. I suppose it isn't a simple matter, either. [ considering that it's a very particular skill. ] I'll be certain to ask around.

[Video]

[properprincess]

[Sonia cannot help but respond to this! It is so close to her many interests that she super excited to speak about this.]

Oh! It is about time for Obon! I have been remiss in celebrating it lately, but I would greatly like to do so once more.

[She a wide smile on her face.]

While I am not Japanese, of course, I did spend quite a few years there for school. My home country is located in Europe, and we have a yearly remembrance during the spring for the lives of those lost during the wars that have ravaged the continent. It usually is held on April 21st. There is, of course, Halloween on October 31st and All Saint's Day of November 1st as well, but those are very common for most Western nations, I suppose.

[Video]

[lightthedarkness]

Is there anything specific you need from me for the day, Jiji-kun?

video;

[accurately]

There won't be any strange Lunatian twists?

[ He doesn't want to show up and have his traditional Japanese holiday be filled with moonlacing. >:( He likes traditions to be traditional. ]

video;

[opalcrown]

Ah, Mika-dai. [ He waves lightly, looking a little disheveled, a patterned fabric thrown over his shoulder. ] A festival sounds quite nice... though a little more ornate and extravagant than what we celebrate at home.

Does all of... Japan? [ Was that what he said? ] - does it celebrate Obon? The celebrations we have differ depending on religion, so I'll admit to being curious.

[jiyuujin]

Oh. Do you consider technology and tradition to be mutually exclusive then? [He sounds quite interested in the notion, given his own experience was quite the opposite.]

I'm unaware of any deaths at the prison though I can't imagine none occurred given what I saw there. Now the fox prismals that caused a stir only recently, a few of them fell by my hand no different than any other man.

As for what's become of them since, I imagine their bodies were returned with their kind to wherever they came from. Perhaps there's some way to follow after them...

[jiyuujin]

Such is the effect of time and tragedy on all things. Men often find themselves carrying on with tradition for tradition's sake while losing sight of it's purpose. Until something else comes along to upset the status quo. At least, it's an innocuous fault most of the time.

I'm not sure going so far as to animate the corpses would be well received by most people of my world. Yes there are places where they do indeed parade the dead through the streets or invite them into their homes like honored guests. If they only had the skills to make it happen someone would have certainly tried it by now.

Perhaps it's fortunate that our magic is quite juvenile compared to the things I've witnessed here.

video;

[jiyuujin]

Death is but one of the many unifying facets of life. For most of us anyway. I couldn't imagine leaving anyone out of such a celebration.

[Ah, he hadn't counted on evoking that kind of concern from anyone though. Awkward...]As for the other matter... it's my fault for delaying in the search, that's all. After recent events I've made it a priority. I promise there's no need for you to worry for my sake.

video;

[jiyuujin]

Lets see... it's imperative that you enjoy yourself and have fun? [Yeah there's probably more than that but he can have his fun too.]

video;

[jiyuujin]

That is precisely my intention although I can't control what any individuals may do. It won't be encouraged.

[Despite this being, well... a teahouse. Gotta respect the dead and all.]

video;

[jiyuujin]

Belias. That looks like it's coming along quite nicely. [How could he not comment when he'd been obliged of such a favor so recently. Not to get too distracted so quickly...]

The customs vary by region though they all celebrate it in some way or form. Humans will travel great distances at this time just to be with their families. One important ritual involves cleaning the graves though of course that won't be possible for us. As for us swords, we might be more inclined to celebrate the lives of our former masters. [Though whether that's the case for him remains unsaid.]

You mentioned there were many religions in your lands? Over time Japan has adopted a number of them although there are two in particular that inform the majority of our traditions. Obon comes from one. And I belong to the other.

[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. ]

[opalcrown]

[ He touches the fabric for a moment and then smiles, clearly pleased by the compliment, but he listens instead of speaking. ]

Ahh, curious, so you belong to another religion yet you celebrate this still? I do the same thing, so I suppose it's not too strange. [ He closes his eyes briefly, thinking out loud. ] Do you remember your former masters clearly...? Or perhaps, is that too personal a question to ask?

[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.]

[huaisang]

What happened to the sword?

[jiyuujin]

Damaged in battle.

[As if that weren't obvious. More notably, he leaves off the subject.]

There was someone capable of handling the repairs until recently.

[huaisang]

I see, I see. That is very unfortunate, especially if it requires special attention.