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.

( 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.

[huaisang]

What happened to the sword?

video;

[goban]

How much have you damaged it?

[ not that he's a swordsmith by any stretch of the mind, but he's certainly owned enough of them to have a lot of the basic concepts down. ]

[hoasen]

Ah, so that is Obon. [She has some idea, but it's not something she has celebrated with Japan. Her own versions, yes, but not quite. Since this one is something the swords are hosting, and potentially her brother as well, she will follow their traditions exactly once she arrives.

But also--]

Do you need me to do anything as well? I could help. It sounds like you have much to do.

Our Ghost Festival is different, though I believe around the same time. It is somber, but also a time to pardon those condemned in hell. And more recently, a kind of appreciation day for one's mother.

(voice)

[yakiniku]

Finally something I can participate in that I can understand and isn’t strange to me.

Thank you.

[voice]

[braverpath]

Bon Obori!

[Can you hear the excitement? Yoshimitsu is loud as hell even on a good day.]

Ho, ho, ho! I shall most certainly attend, especially since I might be the "oldest" here.

[ He has a few centuries on you folks. ]

Tis good to honor thy ancestors! It promotes future prosperity.

text

[okureta]

Who are getting to do all the work setting that up? You sure as hell aren't doing it by yourself.

[Video]

[saigawa]

I guess it's not a bad idea to have Obon here.

[So hey, when are you telling him this? Just this post? But at least it's a celebration. Ideally not as eventful as last month's.

Whether Kashuu helps out with setting up is another thing...]

Did you find someone for the repairs yet? [Without the Saniwa, any of them, sword maintenance becomes more and more important.]

video;

[mcring]

[ The start of Cordis means this guy's got cat ears, but not like that's really unusual around here. They basically blend into his gel-spiked hair, anyway. ]

I can't fix your sword, sorry. There was a friend back home who did stuff like that for me. ...I hope you find somebody.

[ So, pretty useless there. He'll be asking around too, but the network seems like the best way to find someone who can repair weapons, and the guy already tried that. ...Anyway. ]

Can you tell me more about Obon? We don't have anything like that in Lucis.

[ Or well, maybe they have seasonal festivals that might be similar, but nothing by that name. Celebrating the dead, though... sounds like something Noctis wants to hear about. ]

audio;

[anti_altruisms]

Have you found someone to repair your sword?