[D14, EE] A library huddle (Expecting)

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna was at the library bright and early to meet Asahina-san, to discuss theological topics of mutual interest, and perhaps do a bit of related research.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Yuna was at the library bright and early to meet Asahina-san, to discuss theological topics of mutual interest, and perhaps do a bit of related research.

Hoshiko was glad of a chance for less formal attire. Though a few extra layers of kimono would be warmer for the walk across the courtyard! Hurrying into the warm building, she spots Yuna as she's shedding her coat and flashing her permission slip.

"Thanks for meeting so early! I know we'll be working well into the night tonight, so it's appreciated." She peeks around a corner for a table she's come to rather like on her visits, tucked at a shelving cul-de-sac where it gets less traffic. "I've been looking at the Empire's imbalance over much of its history, but I hadn't really picked up how the very local history here indicated another element of that until we were bringing everything together and you shared your work."

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded.

"I'm still trying to understand it. It does seem like a long history of imbalance. But the origination point does seem to lie with Hantei Ningi. And we can see how Heaven has judged him."

"But it make me ask ... what restoration is needed to restore the balance?"

[Asahina Hoshiko]

She nodded.

"I'm still trying to understand it. It does seem like a long history of imbalance. But the origination point does seem to lie with Hantei Ningi. And we can see how Heaven has judged him."

"But it make me ask ... what restoration is needed to restore the balance?"

"I don't know, does it begin there? He was the first mortal Hantei, so his sould may be judged as those of mortals. The first were not truly considered part of this realm, though they were made mortal by it, their souls were not subject to the same patterns. I can't help wondering if their karmic debts are laid upon the Empire."

She shrugs. "It will be difficult to ever entirely untangle, but I think we can very clearly see the imbalance in more recent generations. The Gozoku arose out of hunger for power, but also...look at these sins for which our spirit was judged. Would it have been better for someone else to take over and keep him from those acts? Were they thinking of anything like that along with their ambitions? And after that? We have an Empress who had to kill her brother, an uncle who took the title Emperor instead of regent, and now all of this. Balance has to come from a greater connection to the Celestial order and the spirits of this Realm. But...how to do that politically?"

[Agasha Yuna]

"In my research, it came up that Hantei Ningi had an older sister. She married into the Seppun. There is some suggestion, largely from Matsu sources, that the elder child should have acceded to the Throne rather than renouncing her claim and marrying out into the Families, joining the Seppun."

"It might be worthwhile to trace her line."

"But, as you say, balance has to come from a greater connection to the Celestial order and the spirits of this Realm. Heaven unambiguously grants connection to the kami to shugenja. One is either born a shugenja, or they are not. It is the clearest sign of Heaven's favor that we know. I say that as one born not a shugenja to a family whose work requires shugenja."

"If the next Emperor or Empress needs to address spiritual wounds and promote spiritual healing, Heaven has granted that connection to shugenja. And given us at least one candidate who is a shugenja. It would be good to confirm if any others are."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko frowns a bit. "I would say we bear the signs of the kami's favor, which is not the same as that of the heavens. We are, indeed, more closely in touch with the needs of this realm. But humans, and those who hold the throne in particular, are that link between earth and heaven, and only a very few bear obvious signs of Tengoku's favor."

Her voice lowers a bit. "I confess that seeing the way Lady Sun offers visible blessings to Doji Noriko-sama is as close as I've come to what might be a blessing from the heavens. However, it's certain that previous Hantei held heaven's favor, you could sense it around the Empress most recently past, may her memory last forever." She gestures at the pile of notes. "And that wasn't enough."

"Nor is some council quite the answer. Look to the Elemental Council in such disarray right now." She shakes her head. "No, the blessings of the kami are no guarantee of unity or right action. Though I think the one you speak of would consider actions carefully and carry the compassion Hantei Ningi so obviously lacked."

"Ah! There's a thread." She nods. "His sins in life were not about the elements, they were about his relationship to people, to those he ruled. His ambition to claim everything. Here, my own ties to the realm of waiting tell me that it is these karmic stains that also need to be considered. I am not sure I feel the Brotherhood belongs in politics, but they would have something to say about this. There is justice in executing a criminal who has transgressed against sensible laws, but it is also possible to create a law that is not just...such as saying that every person belongs entirely to their lord, hmm?" She's definitely still working through the various implications.

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded.

"Asahina-san, did you yourself witness a sign in relation to Doji Noriko-sama? She seems admirable in all the opportunities I've had to observe her. But I have not found anyone who could confirm that there was a particular sign. I would be glad to hear more."

"I think you have the right of it. What is so admirable in both Seppun-sama and Doji-sama is their kindness and compassion. Their humility. Their care for others, and for the Empire above themselves. Either would serve well in that regard."

"I think there is a chance to pray that Heaven gives sign at this court, clearly to all present, of one who has the character to heal and restore balance."

"And there may be an opportunity to use Hantei Ningi's fate as a cause to re-examine the laws that he made. Do they truly express Heaven's will? The land did not belong to the Emperor prior to Hantei Ningi. The classes were not so ossified prior to Hantei Ningi. The Kami were served by many who would not meet the definition of samurai today, and welcomed that service."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

"I did." Hoshiko shuffles her notes to no real effect, thinking of it. "We spoke before the shrine--a marker really, and hardly a true shrine--to Hamanri. I pressed rather harder than perhaps is proper to know her mind and center. As we spoke, the sun peeked out of its clouds to pool around her in a rather fantastic way. It's hard not to see the hand of Lady Sun in that. But it would certainly be more convenient to see such a sign before all the court, no?"

"It's also true that their desire to serve elevates them, though I know that is also not enough if one cannot firmly hold the immense power of that position." Folding both hands in her lap, left enclosing the smaller right, she sighs. "I know a council isn't the answer, precisely, but some formal group offering spiritual advice, listening to those reports that come from across the Empire of spiritual unrest. The Seppun are well connected, but their primary aim is protection, not stewardship of that sort."

She listens to Yuna's thought of reexamining laws. "There may be reforms worth making. I feel that the Emperor as ultimate mortal 'owner' of the Empire's lands should mean that those managing them for him would be more aware of that duty to keep them well, rather than use them up for their own ends. But I do not know that it entirely works that way in practice. It's true that it has become rare for those not born to it to the samurai caste to rise there. It is, sadly more common in unsettled times as ashigaru may earn their way into becoming ji-samurai, and families who lose too many heirs must reach farther out to adopt some. Examining how this aligns to the order of the heavens may be fruitful."

[Agasha Yuna]

"Interesting. That is good to know. Hamanri. The Fortune of Stability and Government."

"I do like the idea of a formal group offering spiritual advice, listening to those reports that come from across the Empire of spiritual unrest. Perhaps it is something that can be pursued, informally if not formally. Maybe the relationships made here at winter court will facilitate that."

"It is likely up to the one chosen a Emperor or Empress to decide whether to examine any of the laws."

"But, to the idea of a council, a candidate could draw on the perspectives of those not chosen. Perhaps in roles advising matched to their strengths."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko nods, pulling a blank sheet of paper and beginning to mix ink for notes "As an Imperial set of positions, perhaps coordinated with the Miya to help the spiritually attuned across the Empire in sending news back to them?"

"And, well, it will be up to the new ruler to decide to implement anything like this as well. It may grow, you know? As such a group will likely want to investigate reports for better understanding. But imagine how much easier it would be to pick up on patterns. But when we currently have the Imperial Advisor as an official position, but no official spiritual advisor, that does seem like a mistake from the start." Thoughfully, "I wonder if the first few emperor's still felt their connection to Tengoku and to the land strongly enough to feel they didn't need such an advisor? Or thought that Shinsei, through the Tao left to them would be enough?"

[Agasha Yuna]

"If the Emperor or Empress sincerely followed the Tao, I think it would be a powerful guide. But it is unclear that has been the case. That is a key aspect of balance and ... role modeling ... lost since the days of Hantei and Hantei Genji who I understand were devout."

"Alas, I don't think Shintao piety is equally valued across the clans." Or candidates.

"Ideally, the Emperor or Empress would treat the Tao and Fortunes both with reverence."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko nods. "Definitely. But as at least one has shown, they may be connected to heaven, but are truly mortal in many ways. Besides, the Tao is large, the Fortunes many. Monks step away from the world to focus on them and most will still say they have much to learn." She huffs a bit of a laugh. "Think how busy this court has been for us, and we're not in charge of anyone. It has to be hard to truly study when on the throne."

"Hantei, knew Shinsei personally, and was also born divine. I suspect there's some built in adherence to the Celestial order that way. The way mortals feel hunger and thirst as part of our days. And Genji was divine enough not to pass through Emma-O's judgement, it seems. Perhaps they didn't really know how to inculcate piety into their mortal son when it was like breathing for them?"

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(ooc...should have done this earlier when we *could* suggest a position to the court.)

[Agasha Yuna]

"That could be. It might explain how Hantei Ningi went wrong."

"It emphasizes how important it is to teach pious decision making."

"Every person in Rokugan is busy with their duty. The Emperor or Empress can be an example of pious decision making in the course of duty, or they will not be. If piety is to be left to monks because the Emperor is too busy, we will have impious decisions from the top down and no training in pious decision making for all who look up to the Emperor's example. That seems a course to hasten the pace of spiritual decline and imbalance."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko nods."I think, for most of the Empire, the formulas are often enough. One may not be able to study, but if they make offerings and follow the direction of those who have studied, that's *enough* for the overall balance of things, even if they might each benefit from more time and training. Of course it's *better* that they study or have some training, but I can well imagine that a farmer may not have much energy left for it after a day in the field. But for those leading? As you say, their decisions are magnified by those they lead."

"Do you think we might bring the suggestion for an advisor or advisory group, separate from the Seppun guards, to Lady Seppun? I wouldn't feel right bringing it to the court as an external suggestion."

[Agasha Yuna]

She looked thoughtful.

"I have a favor I could call in with Lady Seppun. But I would not want to use it to ask her to do something she did not concur with."

"But perhaps ... asking her advice? Asking what she thought would most support the Emperor - whoever it is - and the Imperial Court to consider the spiritual implications of decisions, the opportunities for healing and restoration, the good that could be done, rather than solely the bad that could be defended against, a systematic focus on balance and addressing past wrongs... I would be glad to hear her thoughts."

"And to meet with her together towards that end."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Her brush sweeps across the paper as she nods. "Meeting with her is wise, essential even. She did ask me for research to back my assertions a while back. I think there's plenty here for it. I don't think you need to waste a favor if we have an argument she agrees with. She strikes me as one who will, with enough evidence to back her up, push hard for what she believes to be right. The favor might press her to raise it earlier rather than later into the new Hantei's reign though?"

"So...our evidence for this spiritual malaise and imbalance; an acknowledgement that the throne doesn't have appointed spiritual advisors at the same level as other Imperial positions; and a recommendation for such a position, or council, with expertise from pious followers of Shintao, the Fortunes, and the Elemental kami? Or at least a recommendation to discuss how best to advise the Throne?"

[Agasha Yuna]

She nodded.

"That sounds good. Is there anything to research to put it all together? I'm thinking to research any prior use of a spiritual advisor or advisory. That's a good question. Has anything been tried? That would help inform the report."

"Do you think maybe tomorrow morning? Or later tonight? You are quite busy tonight with the ritual, right? That should probably have your full attention."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Hoshiko takes a deep breath at the reminder. "It really should take up much of the evening in preparation. So tomorrow morning, assuming she isn't too tied up with preparations for court."

And she nods "You're right, We should see if there's any such record of an advisor, beyond Shinsei. That's a hard legacy to live up to, but worthwhile." Hoshiko is certainly able to assist in things like politely presenting requests to the librarians, and possibly catching something interesting in the margins, but her expertise in history is not at a level to assess sources for accuracy or find esoteric mentions.

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D14 in the library: Etiquette (Bureacracy)/Awa | 7k4 ⇒ 25 (TN: 25) Sage acquired to offer a phantom rank to a cooperative roll (since this seems Lore:History and that's definitely not in Hoshiko's skilset)

[Agasha Yuna]

Happily, it was Yuna's skillset.

https://sakkaku.org/r/17610 28 v TN20

Cooperative library research with Asahina-san. Question is: Has the Emperor or Imperial Court had a designated spiritual advisor (or advisory council) since the time of Shinsei?

[Cearnach]

It has generally been felt that the Emperor's connection to Heaven is the only spiritual advisor that the Emperor may need. However, from time to time Emperors have consulted with the Abbot of the Four Temples, the Elemental Council, or elements of the Seppun Family on an ad-hoc basis. In more recent history, the Empress Retsuhime consulted with Kitsu Shintaro. The question was not made public, but the interaction ended with Lord Kitsu under somewhat of a cloud, leading to the fiasco of the Kan and Ogata families.