Onmyodo Monogatari (Japanese Heian-era fantasy)
- Thread starter Magnusth
- Start date
- Fantasy Historic
-
- Tags
- hubris somehow japan wizard
- Location
- Leeds
[ ]: I run away! A room full of adults staring at you and laughing is scary! I just turn and run! I'm definately getting in heaps and heaps of trouble for that later, but i do it anyway!
A compelling argument. The next step up is to make an excuse
[ ] Have any of you seen Jun?
On the other hand perhaps bothering court because you're looking for your nursemaid is not the best protocol.
[X]: I tell them that i've gotten a poem, and i'd like to compose a reply! But i'm not sure what the right reply would be.
A compelling argument. The next step up is to make an excuse
[ ] Have any of you seen Jun?
On the other hand perhaps bothering court because you're looking for your nursemaid is not the best protocol.
[X]: I tell them that i've gotten a poem, and i'd like to compose a reply! But i'm not sure what the right reply would be.
- Location
- Germany
[X]: I tell them that i've gotten a poem, and i'd like help to figure out who it's from, if there's anything i can learn from the composition or the handwriting.
It seems we have wandered into the den of evil. That's going to be fun, but maybe we can distract them a bit by making them wonder who the admirer is?
It seems we have wandered into the den of evil. That's going to be fun, but maybe we can distract them a bit by making them wonder who the admirer is?
Teloch
ಠ_ಠ
- Location
- The middle of nowhere
They are women. The chances are, they will figure it out in a matter of minutes if they do not know the answer already.
- Location
- Tarn-Vedra
[X]: I tell them that i've gotten a poem, and i'd like to compose a reply! But i'm not sure what the right reply would be.
[X]: I tell them that i've gotten a poem, and i'd like to compose a reply! But i'm not sure what the right reply would be.
- Location
- Southern Virginia
[X]: I tell them that i've gotten a poem, and i don't know what it means or what to do! Focus on getting practical advice about what my next actions should be or why it might've been sent.
[X]: I tell them that i've gotten a poem, and i'd like to compose a reply! But i'm not sure what the right reply would be.
[X]: I tell them that i've gotten a poem, and i'd like to compose a reply! But i'm not sure what the right reply would be.
The Sixth
- Location
- Denmark
"W-" you start, then stop. Everyone looks at you expectantly, and you take a deep breath, and start again. "Well. I've gotten a poem. And i'd.. I'd like to write the right reply! But i'm not sure what the right reply is."
A faint giggle goes through the crowd, and your mother nods. "Well, tell us what the poem is, and we can help."
You nod, and, carefully - carefully! - take out the poem from where you tucked it in your robe. You unfold it, and take a deep breath.
Last rays of the sun
There at Itsukushi-
One of the ladies in waiting chokes as she suppresses a giggle. Or a gasp? You mother looks towards her, clearly annoyed, and asks her something - in chinese. Which you can read very well, but do not talk at any reasonable level. The lady blinks for a moment, then replies, more slowly - a yes, you think, but you're not sure. Then she turns towards you, smiles, and bows slightly.
"Please excuse my rudeness, Kogitsunemaru. Pray, continue."
You nod, and start over
Last rays of the sun
There at Itsukushima
Turns the lake golden
As the sun, a poets words
Spreading ever joy and warmth
A few ladies clap softly, and you feel your face flush. "Very good," your mother replies, smiling. "Let us see if we can't help you."
Paper, brushes and ink is brought to you, and the ladies gather around, all very intent on giving you advice. The poem should be subtle, yet clear. Plums are approrpiate to this time of year, no; red flowers; show appreciation; no show gratitude; reply with the rising sun, no, the rising moon, etc. etc. Every lady seems to have an opinion, and it very quickly becomes clear that you are their current 'project,' so to speak. At one point, two ladies even begin exchanging subtle insults over their disagreements, which seems to greatly amuse the rest of them. Your mother manages, barely, to keep things mostly on track, and towards actually helping you. Once or twice, the empress herself expresses an opinion, though in soft terms, avoiding supporting any of her ladies too clearly, except, perhaps, your mother.
Eventually, you end up with a quite well-done poem, and you seem to have impressed several parts of the empress' court with your skill - well, the court of one of the empresses. Not that your skill is all that much compared to them, of course, but it is, apparently, impressive for your age.
You carefully, carefully, fold and tuck your poem away in your robes.
What did you write?
[ ] POETRY WRITE-IN! Time for you to write some poetry. The format is waka, specifically Tanka. The actual requirements for writing waka are extremely demanding, but for simplicity's sake:
A 5-7-5-7-7 syllable format
Nature and human emotion as the subject.
Your skill doesn't matter - your character is fairly skilled at poetry, and whatever you write will therefore be, you know, pretty good in the eyes of everyone else. Any particular references and theme you choose might color people's reaction, though - if you write about being happy alone and not caring about others, the recipient is probably going to think that's a rejection for example.
Not that is is late spring, or perhaps early summer, and as such blooming flowers, green trees, a warm sun, days getting longer and so on are particularly appropriate for the season.
And now what?
[ ]: I ask them if they can help identify who wrote the poem, so i can send it to them or go deliver it myself as soon as possible.
[ ]: Ask one of my friends for advice. Who? Write in the specifics.
[ ]: I go to the Seimei shrine, and ask the priest there for help. He's old, and smart, and perhaps he knows what this all means. He also seems like a kind person, so he probably wants to help me.
[ ]: I find my father and ask him for help. This is probably going to make him at least a little mad at me - i'm not supposed to disturb him when i'm not working with him. But he probably won't be too mad, and if this poem is from a girl - likely, but not certain - then I would like some advice from someone other than my mother.
[ ]: I spend the next few enjoying the festivities, eating pastries, and trying not to freak out with jitters, then I got Itsukushima shrine, at sunset, to meet who wrote this, and I hand them my poetry in response.
[ ]: I go to the shrine of Tenjin, a former disgraced nobleman now venerated as a god of knowledge. He was a patron of the arts in life and a great poet - perhaps prayers to him will help make sure my poetry is recieved well?
[ ]: Something else! What? write in!
Questions are open with your mother, the empress, and the court ladies, as long as it's reasonably related to poetry and relationships
A faint giggle goes through the crowd, and your mother nods. "Well, tell us what the poem is, and we can help."
You nod, and, carefully - carefully! - take out the poem from where you tucked it in your robe. You unfold it, and take a deep breath.
Last rays of the sun
There at Itsukushi-
One of the ladies in waiting chokes as she suppresses a giggle. Or a gasp? You mother looks towards her, clearly annoyed, and asks her something - in chinese. Which you can read very well, but do not talk at any reasonable level. The lady blinks for a moment, then replies, more slowly - a yes, you think, but you're not sure. Then she turns towards you, smiles, and bows slightly.
"Please excuse my rudeness, Kogitsunemaru. Pray, continue."
You nod, and start over
Last rays of the sun
There at Itsukushima
Turns the lake golden
As the sun, a poets words
Spreading ever joy and warmth
A few ladies clap softly, and you feel your face flush. "Very good," your mother replies, smiling. "Let us see if we can't help you."
Paper, brushes and ink is brought to you, and the ladies gather around, all very intent on giving you advice. The poem should be subtle, yet clear. Plums are approrpiate to this time of year, no; red flowers; show appreciation; no show gratitude; reply with the rising sun, no, the rising moon, etc. etc. Every lady seems to have an opinion, and it very quickly becomes clear that you are their current 'project,' so to speak. At one point, two ladies even begin exchanging subtle insults over their disagreements, which seems to greatly amuse the rest of them. Your mother manages, barely, to keep things mostly on track, and towards actually helping you. Once or twice, the empress herself expresses an opinion, though in soft terms, avoiding supporting any of her ladies too clearly, except, perhaps, your mother.
Eventually, you end up with a quite well-done poem, and you seem to have impressed several parts of the empress' court with your skill - well, the court of one of the empresses. Not that your skill is all that much compared to them, of course, but it is, apparently, impressive for your age.
You carefully, carefully, fold and tuck your poem away in your robes.
What did you write?
[ ] POETRY WRITE-IN! Time for you to write some poetry. The format is waka, specifically Tanka. The actual requirements for writing waka are extremely demanding, but for simplicity's sake:
A 5-7-5-7-7 syllable format
Nature and human emotion as the subject.
Your skill doesn't matter - your character is fairly skilled at poetry, and whatever you write will therefore be, you know, pretty good in the eyes of everyone else. Any particular references and theme you choose might color people's reaction, though - if you write about being happy alone and not caring about others, the recipient is probably going to think that's a rejection for example.
Not that is is late spring, or perhaps early summer, and as such blooming flowers, green trees, a warm sun, days getting longer and so on are particularly appropriate for the season.
And now what?
[ ]: I ask them if they can help identify who wrote the poem, so i can send it to them or go deliver it myself as soon as possible.
[ ]: Ask one of my friends for advice. Who? Write in the specifics.
[ ]: I go to the Seimei shrine, and ask the priest there for help. He's old, and smart, and perhaps he knows what this all means. He also seems like a kind person, so he probably wants to help me.
[ ]: I find my father and ask him for help. This is probably going to make him at least a little mad at me - i'm not supposed to disturb him when i'm not working with him. But he probably won't be too mad, and if this poem is from a girl - likely, but not certain - then I would like some advice from someone other than my mother.
[ ]: I spend the next few enjoying the festivities, eating pastries, and trying not to freak out with jitters, then I got Itsukushima shrine, at sunset, to meet who wrote this, and I hand them my poetry in response.
[ ]: I go to the shrine of Tenjin, a former disgraced nobleman now venerated as a god of knowledge. He was a patron of the arts in life and a great poet - perhaps prayers to him will help make sure my poetry is recieved well?
[ ]: Something else! What? write in!
Questions are open with your mother, the empress, and the court ladies, as long as it's reasonably related to poetry and relationships
Last edited:
- Location
- unknown
[X]: I ask them if they can help identify who wrote the poem, so i can send it to them or go deliver it myself as soon as possible.
Edit: edit2:
[X] Rays of amber dawn,
alight upon a still pond.
Crimson blooms unfurl on shore.
Joyful hearts greet a new day,
Holding dear Fortune's blessing.
Edit: edit2:
[X] Rays of amber dawn,
alight upon a still pond.
Crimson blooms unfurl on shore.
Joyful hearts greet a new day,
Holding dear Fortune's blessing.
Last edited:
- Location
- Tarn-Vedra
[X]: I ask them if they can help identify who wrote the poem, so i can send it to them or go deliver it myself as soon as possible.
- Location
- Germany
[X] Poem one.
Warm rays of the sun
Shine on a blooming flower
Delicate petals
In a lovely shade of red
Worthy every drop of light
So I consider myself horrible at poetry, but I might as well cobble something together until someone better comes along. There's flower symbolism and appreciation and stuff. Hopefully nothing that comes across as too strong.
[X]: Ask Tsuzura if she has any advice for your meeting at Itsukushima Shrine.
Warm rays of the sun
Shine on a blooming flower
Delicate petals
In a lovely shade of red
Worthy every drop of light
So I consider myself horrible at poetry, but I might as well cobble something together until someone better comes along. There's flower symbolism and appreciation and stuff. Hopefully nothing that comes across as too strong.
[X]: Ask Tsuzura if she has any advice for your meeting at Itsukushima Shrine.
Last edited:
- Location
- Denmark
Beautiful! you usually pronounce 'lovely' and 'every' with two syllables, though, and it looks like you've counted them for three? It's not a huge issue but i wanted to point it out, sorry
- Location
- Southern Virginia
Dawn comes in its turn;
Shimmering fingers of light
Dance on a still pond.
Crimson blooms unfurl on shore.
Joyful hearts greet a new day,
Holding dear fortune's blessing.
A more direct response. Maybe too direct. Also not sure of all the rules of a Waka poem either or conventions of Japanese poetry, so punctuation is as per imagined recitation.
Shimmering fingers of light
Dance on a still pond.
Crimson blooms unfurl on shore.
Joyful hearts greet a new day,
Holding dear fortune's blessing.
A more direct response. Maybe too direct. Also not sure of all the rules of a Waka poem either or conventions of Japanese poetry, so punctuation is as per imagined recitation.
- Location
- Denmark
All the rules of Waka are incredibly complex and can basicly only be done in japanese; there are specific words to be used during specific seasons, you don't count syllables, you count on, there are a bunch of different structures depending on what you're trying, some formats are collaborative, etc. For the purposes of this thread, 'nature and human emotion' and counting syllables is all you need to worry about.
- Location
- Germany
Aw shucks, thanks for the compliment.
And don't worry. Pointing out any mistakes in perfectly fine. Time to add extra syllables then, I suppose. Does "In a lovely shade" or "Of a lovely shade" sound better?
- Location
- Leeds
[X]: I ask them if they can help identify who wrote the poem, so i can send it to them or go deliver it myself as soon as possible.
