Hida Mei Xing
Crab Clan
Hida Bushi, Artisan and Tactician
Posts: 14
|
Post by Hida Mei Xing on Jul 13, 2011 5:55:47 GMT -5
Mei Xing wracked her brains as she studied the approaching samurai's mons. Sparrow clan? No their mon was different. The Hawk had been absorbed into the Crab during her parent's time which left only the Oriole. The Crab bowed. "Greetings Tsi-san."
|
|
Kakita Hitoshi
Crane Clan
Be more concerned with good actions than great ones
Posts: 306
|
Post by Kakita Hitoshi on Jul 14, 2011 9:25:46 GMT -5
"It's my pleasure to make your acquaintance Mei Xing-san, and yours too Tsi-san" the Crane said, bowing. "My name is Kakita Hitoshi. Is there anything I can do to assist either of you?"
|
|
Hida Mei Xing
Crab Clan
Hida Bushi, Artisan and Tactician
Posts: 14
|
Post by Hida Mei Xing on Jul 14, 2011 11:14:09 GMT -5
Mei Xing smiled. "My mother was once a Kakita. Perhaps you could tell me about Kakita customs? I find the cultural similarities and differences between our clans fascinating."
|
|
|
Post by tadakasan on Jul 14, 2011 15:52:05 GMT -5
"Hitoshi-san and Mei Xing-san, a pleasure." Karone would have introduced himself, but Mei Xing seemed to have been in the middle of something mind-track wise with Hitoshi. That and truthfully Karone was largely here himself because of the Kakita and to learn more about them. Learning more, especially through differences and similarities to the Oriole's allies in the Crab, would prove most interesting if he could be part of the discussion.
|
|
Kakita Hitoshi
Crane Clan
Be more concerned with good actions than great ones
Posts: 306
|
Post by Kakita Hitoshi on Jul 14, 2011 17:43:15 GMT -5
"It would be my pleasure" Hitoshi smiled. "Perhaps we could stroll a while through the gardens?"
As they moved off he continued "My family are cousins to the Doji, and are traditionally thought of as artists. We are all taught to excel in whatever our chosen task may be, whether that be origami, politics or, most famously, iaijutsu. I, like many of my relatives, went to study at the Kakita Duelling Academy just north of here where we look at iaijutsu in both a practical and aesthetic way."
He indicated a bench tucked away behind some orchids and raised an eyebrow at his companions, smiling. The three of them sat and he turned to Mei Xing. "What of your own customs Mei Xing-san? Are all Crab stationed on the Wall after their gempukku or is it only veterans? And are there really warriors that get so angry they cannot be killed?"
|
|
Hida Mei Xing
Crab Clan
Hida Bushi, Artisan and Tactician
Posts: 14
|
Post by Hida Mei Xing on Jul 15, 2011 8:24:18 GMT -5
She smiled and slowed her pace so both the Oriole and the Crane were walking with her. "Some of them are. It depends on the family. The Hiruma, for example, often send their newest samurai into the Shadowlands, where a few garrisons still stand against the darkness. The Yasuki sometimes send their young courtiers to other clans or keep them close to learn from their superiors. And," she said with a wicked grin she could not conceal, "There are bushi who become so enraged they cannot die. My father's life was once saved by Hida Gojiro, who, after having his guts ripped out by an oni, kept fighting until the Kuni came to assist." Mei Xing colored a deep red and snapped open her fan. "Forgive me Tsi-san, Kakita-san. It is inappropriate of me to speak of such things in polite company, and I ask for your forgiveness." After fanning her hot face, she smiled at Karone. "What of the Oriole clan Tsi-san? I am afraid I know but little of them."
|
|
|
Post by tadakasan on Jul 15, 2011 20:56:07 GMT -5
Karone bowed slightly, "I have the fortitude to handle such details thankfully; one must not forget the reality of what the Crab face every day on the Wall afterall. As far as the Oriole... there is not much to know. Hantei Naseru himself only just formed us as a family less than a decade ago. Until then we were ronin, and our customs reflected as such; We were smiths, given the right to be protected as if we had a lord by the Emperors themselves, in recognition of our work." He smiled slightly, almost a grin, "One could say our lives and customs revolved wholly around our trade, becoming so good at what we did so that the word Tsi became known for little else... even amongst our own; it was hard to think past that when we were ronin coming from different places and different situations."
"Now though, we have a reason to form an identity, but you could say it's a work in progress Hida-sama; we live on Imperial lands and want not for supplies through our work and location, but we have little else to offer the Empire besides those same goods that provide for us. I will say for now that it seems that we are branching out though; I for one have become quite the chef and architect, while some of my Clan-mates have become skilled swordsmen and resolute soldiers. I think, if anything, we owe much of that to being influenced heavily by our cousins in the Kaiu and the rest of the Crab, as well as living so close to Kakita lands." The man bows surprisingly elegantly for what he calls a simple ronin smith to each of you.
|
|
Hida Mei Xing
Crab Clan
Hida Bushi, Artisan and Tactician
Posts: 14
|
Post by Hida Mei Xing on Jul 19, 2011 9:19:23 GMT -5
Mei Xing bowed. "Hopefully your neighbors will be inspired by your virtues as you have been inspired by theirs. What brings you into Kyuden Doji?"
|
|
|
Post by tadakasan on Jul 19, 2011 11:22:24 GMT -5
"Your Clan actually Hida-sama; I received an invitation from one of the Kaiu contacts I keep that they would be holding an exhibition of stone-working techniques here in Kyuden Doji at the behest of the Kakita; not just bricks or such, but also sculpture. I suppose I would think of it as an art contest more than likely under the guise of teaching, or perhaps the other way around..." Karone mused for a bit and a small smirk formed on his face.
Shaking his head, he clasps his hands in front of him and gave a quick bow, "Apologies for the tangent sama's. I merely mean to say I at least am here to learn from the masters; how could one find a better meeting of the minds in art and stone-working than Crab and Crane meeting as one for a common purpose towards such? I only regret that things aren't as lively as I had hoped... I suppose there are enough troubles in the Empire at the moment and controversies that things such as art and learning are taking second stage to war and politics. But such is the life of a samurai.
|
|
Kakita Hitoshi
Crane Clan
Be more concerned with good actions than great ones
Posts: 306
|
Post by Kakita Hitoshi on Jul 24, 2011 18:46:30 GMT -5
Hitoshi smoothed his kimono idly as he recovered from his surprise at Mei Xing's comments. Slightly unsure how to respond, he turned his attention to the Oriole.
"Do you know when this exhibition is to occur Tsi-san? I have only recently arrived at Kyuden Doji myself, and would love to see some of the sculptures."
He frowned and turned back to the Hida, opening his mouth for a moment before shutting it again, and finally he laughed. "Mei Xing-san, my sensei would say that you have surpassed him, as you have accomplished what he strived to do for many years and have rendered me speechless." With a twinkle in his eye he added "Of course, you have an unfair advantage as my sensei was not as beautiful as you."
|
|