D8 ME - Art Festival: The Commentary (Open to all)

[Asahina Minase]

"It's played the Thunder Dragon once or twice," Shin says, punctuating with a modest flick of his open fan, "but of course it really can't compare to some of fine old masks the Golden Spring troupe has of that type. I suppose you could call it a prototype; I'd like to do a better one, one of these days, but I'm not ashamed of it, at least."

"Still, quite an eye-catching piece."

Now for some professional appraisal as she flicked out her fan.

"But that I expect of the Crane, now let's see what the other clans have achieved . . ."

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"Still, quite an eye-catching piece."

Now for some professional appraisal as she flicked out her fan.

"But that I expect of the Crane, now let's see what the other clans have achieved . . ."

"Oh, we should look at the work of our hosts first, shouldn't we?" Shinnosuke suggests, discreetly shortening his stride as he wanders over toward the Phoenix-themed exhibition by the Crab courtiers. "Yasuki Masaki-san did such a lot of work to bring this event to birth." If one doesn't have especially exalted expectations for the Crab art display--it's not what the clan is known for, after all--then perhaps the generous move is to view it at the front end of the evening, before any sort of high water mark is set by any of the other displays. The Crane one aside, of course.


D8 ME Art Criticism Randomizer
1 Crab
2 Crane
3 Lion
4 Phoenix
5 Scorpion
6 Minor
7 Monk | 1d7 ⇒ 4

[Asahina Minase]

"Oh, we should look at the work of our hosts first, shouldn't we?" Shinnosuke suggests, discreetly shortening his stride as he wanders over toward the Phoenix-themed exhibition by the Crab courtiers. "Yasuki Masaki-san did such a lot of work to bring this event to birth." If one doesn't have especially exalted expectations for the Crab art display--it's not what the clan is known for, after all--then perhaps the generous move is to view it at the front end of the evening, before any sort of high water mark is set by any of the other displays. The Crane one aside, of course.

Minase observed quietly at first, before nodding.

"A collaboration effort. One does think of the Crab as working as a whole at their duty. " A duty she was not about to elaborate upon. "And here they have applied it to their display of the Phoenix. An interesting subject choice though, neh?"

[Doji Shinnosuke]

"Oh, we should look at the work of our hosts first, shouldn't we?" Shinnosuke suggests, discreetly shortening his stride as he wanders over toward the Phoenix-themed exhibition by the Crab courtiers. "Yasuki Masaki-san did such a lot of work to bring this event to birth." If one doesn't have especially exalted expectations for the Crab art display--it's not what the clan is known for, after all--then perhaps the generous move is to view it at the front end of the evening, before any sort of high water mark is set by any of the other displays. The Crane one aside, of course.

Minase observed quietly at first, before nodding.

"A collaboration effort. One does think of the Crab as working as a whole at their duty. " A duty she was not about to elaborate upon. "And here they have applied it to their display of the Phoenix. An interesting subject choice though, neh?"

Shinnosuke also observes for a while. "Rather a complicated story, indeed. Which I suppose is about right for the Phoenix Clan," he adds, lips quirking behind his fan. "I wonder what the human Phoenix will think of all that allegory? Are the Crab offering them some advice?"

[Yasuki Masaki]

.

.

With the second telling of the Ho-oh's tale finished just minutes before the visit from the Crane Inspection and Evaluation Committee, Masaki was a few steps away from the Phoenix display at the moment, walking towards the one on the Lion.

Seeing them inspecting the display, she turns her head and nods towards them with a friendly smile.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Eiji nods.

"Yasuki-san has certain outdone herself, and that's alreday a high bar to clear." he says. "I understand that she'll be putting on a performance later in the festival, so we should make sure to catch that."

With the crowds and the occassional need to return to his area to telling the story again, the path on which he would lead the Asahina was quite roundabout. There was an order to the viewings, but one that was not clear to any samurai of the Empire.

And so they came to the Asahina's display. No, not this Asahina, the other one.

Eiji studied the painted umbrella display representing the Dragon.

"Hm, the umbrellas' shape certainly lends themselves well to representing mountains. Excellent brushwork as well." he offered regarding Minase's display.

Hoshiko nods. "We studied together...at least a bit. I was a few years ahead of her so I really didn't get to see the flowering of her talent there. She's definitely built upon it since."

She seems fine following along, not having a particular viewing agenda of her own, and thus finds herself sharing commentary on her fellow Asahina's work.

"It takes some knowledge of paper to appreciate fully as well. It's difficult to make and work with paper so fine. It takes a great deal of care and careful brushwork, which you can see, for the paint to set exactly where you want it. She's really very good. You can feel the calm of the mountains reaching through, can't you?"

[Soshi Eiji]

Hoshiko nods. "We studied together...at least a bit. I was a few years ahead of her so I really didn't get to see the flowering of her talent there. She's definitely built upon it since."

She seems fine following along, not having a particular viewing agenda of her own, and thus finds herself sharing commentary on her fellow Asahina's work.

"It takes some knowledge of paper to appreciate fully as well. It's difficult to make and work with paper so fine. It takes a great deal of care and careful brushwork, which you can see, for the paint to set exactly where you want it. She's really very good. You can feel the calm of the mountains reaching through, can't you?"

Eiji nods.

"Oh most definitely. I've not gotten an opportunity to speak with her this season, but she's clearly a very talented artist. " he agrees enthusiastically.

He tapped his chin in thought.

"Although, while it's an excellent representation of the mountain, it strikes me that unlike the actual mountains that are represented, snow or rain would spell the doom of these particular mountains." he mused.

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Eiji nods.

"Oh most definitely. I've not gotten an opportunity to speak with her this season, but she's clearly a very talented artist. " he agrees enthusiastically.

He tapped his chin in thought.

"Although, while it's an excellent representation of the mountain, it strikes me that unlike the actual mountains that are represented, snow or rain would spell the doom of these particular mountains." he mused.

"Terribly fragile. Very much an art of impermanence to contemplate...in tension with fixing mountains that, in actuality change season to season and day to day into a single image." She tilts her head. "Which might also say something about Dragons and contemplating mysteries."

They trailed along to where Masaki was setting up her straw masterpiece. Hoshiko examined it closely, eyes a bit unfocused. She nods with a smile. "A blessed piece, as well as very technically difficult. I wonder what spirit came to rest within?"

[Soshi Eiji]

"Terribly fragile. Very much an art of impermanence to contemplate...in tension with fixing mountains that, in actuality change season to season and day to day into a single image." She tilts her head. "Which might also say something about Dragons and contemplating mysteries."

They trailed along to where Masaki was setting up her straw masterpiece. Hoshiko examined it closely, eyes a bit unfocused. She nods with a smile. "A blessed piece, as well as very technically difficult. I wonder what spirit came to rest within?"

Eiji nodded.

"Every time I see Yasuki-san's work, I am reminded of just how much delicate effort she must have invested in it. I am certainly no shugenja, but I would think any fire kami would be especially pleased with such an offering." he said.

He did pause for a moment, then chuckled a bit.

"I swear, Asahina-san, I'm not actively pursuing the destruction of art. It is the temporary nature of it that reminds us to spend time to appreciate it. It's just with paper mountains and straw Phoenix, that's where my mind drifts. I don't suppose any sculptors came to court this season? Reknowned bonsai artists? Legendary smiths?" he asked.

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Ahh, Shiba-san," Yasuki Ryoichi said, greeting him warmly. "It is good to see you again. I hope you like the Crab clan's attempt to honor the Phoenix?" A small motion of his fan indicated the elaborate diorama that had been organized by Yasuki Masaki and Kuni Shiori and richly decorated by all of the Crab delegates.

"I do! The Chidlren of Hida went all-out- I particularly enjoy the image of the Ki-Rin, because it also pays a bit of homage to the Children of Shinjo...."

Wherever the hell they ended up.

"... but the Gardener and Ho-oh, the whole story..."

He offered a bow.

"I find it very moving."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"I do! The Chidlren of Hida went all-out- I particularly enjoy the image of the Ki-Rin, because it also pays a bit of homage to the Children of Shinjo...."

Wherever the hell they ended up.

"... but the Gardener and Ho-oh, the whole story..."

He offered a bow.

"I find it very moving."

"Ahh! I'm sure the other Crab will be glad to hear it, Shiba-san," Ryoichi said with a grin. "Yasuki Masaki was the architect of the display itself, and Kuni Shiori the storyteller. Do try to meet them if you haven't already."

"How has Winter Court been treating you since our earlier meeting?" the Yasuki asked. "There's still interest in a second deal with the Phoenix, if your clan is amenable to it."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Ahh! I'm sure the other Crab will be glad to hear it, Shiba-san," Ryoichi said with a grin. "Yasuki Masaki was the architect of the display itself, and Kuni Shiori the storyteller. Do try to meet them if you haven't already."

"How has Winter Court been treating you since our earlier meeting?" the Yasuki asked. "There's still interest in a second deal with the Phoenix, if your clan is amenable to it."

"Let us see... I have become engaged to a woman I would have chosen above all others in the Empire...."

And did he glance at Yuna here? Of course he did.

"... my Clan's needs are steadily being met, I am exposed to the beauty that can be created when the Clans all gather together..."

Here, a gesture to the artwork surrounding them.

"... and I am meeting samurai from all over who I have come to respect beyond simple professional regard."

At this a nod to Ryoichi.

"It is an experience to be savored, whatever other circumstances may greet us."

He half-smiled.

"And as you, Yasuki-sama, are part of why three out of those four things are true, I would be delighted to have further dealings with the Crab Clan. Our first arrangement was highly satisfactory to Shiba-ue, after all."

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"It is an experience to be savored, whatever other circumstances may greet us."

He half-smiled.

"And as you, Yasuki-sama, are part of why three out of those four things are true, I would be delighted to have further dealings with the Crab Clan. Our first arrangement was highly satisfactory to Shiba-ue, after all."

"Splendid!" Ryoichi enthused. "It has been an eventful week so far, has it not? My congratulations on your great success here at Court. And perhaps we can meet again later to discuss such a follow-on agreement between our clans."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Splendid!" Ryoichi enthused. "It has been an eventful week so far, has it not? My congratulations on your great success here at Court. And perhaps we can meet again later to discuss such a follow-on agreement between our clans."

"I look forward to it! Does Yasuki-sama play Go?"

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

"I look forward to it! Does Yasuki-sama play Go?"

"Poorly, I'm afraid," Ryoichi admitted ruefully. "Perhaps Shiba-san could give me some pointers on how to do better."

[Asahina Hoshiko]

Eiji nodded.

"Every time I see Yasuki-san's work, I am reminded of just how much delicate effort she must have invested in it. I am certainly no shugenja, but I would think any fire kami would be especially pleased with such an offering." he said.

He did pause for a moment, then chuckled a bit.

"I swear, Asahina-san, I'm not actively pursuing the destruction of art. It is the temporary nature of it that reminds us to spend time to appreciate it. It's just with paper mountains and straw Phoenix, that's where my mind drifts. I don't suppose any sculptors came to court this season? Reknowned bonsai artists? Legendary smiths?" he asked.

"Most of those take a good deal more time to prepare, while paint, paper, even straw are easier to come by and to work quiickly with. It would be hard to predict the chosen theme for today in order to have started your bonsai project several years ago. I imagine Soshi-san has a store of tales able to fit most occasions?"

'I will try not to remember Soshi-san's words if a fire breaks out today," she adds with dry amusement.

[Soshi Eiji]

"Most of those take a good deal more time to prepare, while paint, paper, even straw are easier to come by and to work quiickly with. It would be hard to predict the chosen theme for today in order to have started your bonsai project several years ago. I imagine Soshi-san has a store of tales able to fit most occasions?"

'I will try not to remember Soshi-san's words if a fire breaks out today," she adds with dry amusement.

Eiji chuckled.

"Ah, excellent, Asahina-san, that will surely be the testimony that sees me exonerted before the magistrates, 'He said he wasn't going to burn it all down.'"

He pondred the nature of art as the pair walked through the festival.

"I do have stories able to fit most occassions, although that brings another point about the imperanence of art. Stories, as words on wind, or text on a scroll, are imperanent...but also eternal in a way. Asahina and Yasuki's artwork both leave a mark upon me, but I cannot recreate them. Even if tell someone what I saw, I simply lack the skill to capture every aspect of what makes them inspiring."

"Now stories, on the other hand......if Asahina-san liked my tale, she could easily retell it to any she cared to. And if she wanted to say the siblings were Daidoji instead of Crab, or that the curious noble was a Phoenix instead of a Scorpion or wanted to go deeper into the romantic elements of the story, none of these change the heart of the story."

He shook his head.

"Perhaps your upcoming picinic is influencing my thoughts, but I can't help but think that all art dies, but stories are, in a sense, reincarnated with each retelling."

[Shiba Ryusei]

"Poorly, I'm afraid," Ryoichi admitted ruefully. "Perhaps Shiba-san could give me some pointers on how to do better."

"We could maybe give you the advantage of a stone or three. I'm more of a dabbler than a committed player, but I find it a very relaxing game. Perhaps after Court tomorrow? Or before?""

[Asahina Minase]

Shinnosuke also observes for a while. "Rather a complicated story, indeed. Which I suppose is about right for the Phoenix Clan," he adds, lips quirking behind his fan. "I wonder what the human Phoenix will think of all that allegory? Are the Crab offering them some advice?"

"I would hope not. Shiba's followers can be . . . a little prickly at times about matters like that."

She meant Isawa of course. The other families were just fine on taking well meant advice.

"Still, nicely done and presented."

With the second telling of the Ho-oh's tale finished just minutes before the visit from the Crane Inspection and Evaluation Committee, Masaki was a few steps away from the Phoenix display at the moment, walking towards the one on the Lion.

Seeing them inspecting the display, she turns her head and nods towards them with a friendly smile.

"And here we have the organiser herself."

A nod or artistic appreciation was returned, but the rest of Minase's expression was hidden behind her fan.

[Doji Shinnosuke]

(snip)

"I would hope not. Shiba's followers can be . . . a little prickly at times about matters like that."

She meant Isawa of course. The other families were just fine on taking well meant advice.

"Still, nicely done and presented."

With the second telling of the Ho-oh's tale finished just minutes before the visit from the Crane Inspection and Evaluation Committee, Masaki was a few steps away from the Phoenix display at the moment, walking towards the one on the Lion.

Seeing them inspecting the display, she turns her head and nods towards them with a friendly smile.

"And here we have the organiser herself."

A nod or artistic appreciation was returned, but the rest of Minase's expression was hidden behind her fan.

"What a creative presentation, Yasuki-san," Shinnosuke says with a warm smile and a courtly bow. "Is this sort of puppetry a folk art from Crab lands? Or is it an invention of your own?"