The sun had been gone for a good 4 hours, maybe six when Masaki made her way through the garden in the Forecourt, stopping a moment to look at the koi pond, then continuing to one of the tables on the grounds, hugging the dark blue haori worn over her white carp-patterned kimono. She fetches a bundle of straw of different colours and textures, then sits down and starts arranging them - maybe trying to separate them based on specific criteria, maybe sifting through them to get specific ones.

From time to time, she takes a look at the path from the banqueting halls, as if waiting for someone.

Yasuki Masaki wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 09, 2025 1:52 am

snip

Walking slowly, still digesting recent hours, Hoshiko finds the garden entrance. Her heavy coat brushes a branch here, tall dry grasses there. The Yasuki's movement catch her eye and snap her up from her reverie.

The steady click of sandals on stone picks up just a bit as she heads toward the artisan. "Yasuki-san! Evening...and a brisk one!" She pauses for a proper bow. "It's so good to finally see you!" Glancing at the straw sorting, she smiles. "Hopefully I'm not interrupting your time to get some work done...I know how hard it can be to find enough time for one's art as the court gets busy." She taps her stachel, "I keep the one you sent attached to one of my scrolls. It's really lovely work."

"How have the days found you here so far?"

Asahina Hoshiko wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 09, 2025 5:01 am

Walking slowly, still digesting recent hours, Hoshiko finds the garden entrance. Her heavy coat brushes a branch here, tall dry grasses there. The Yasuki's movement catch her eye and snap her up from her reverie.

The steady click of sandals on stone picks up just a bit as she heads toward the artisan. "Yasuki-san! Evening...and a brisk one!" She pauses for a proper bow. "It's so good to finally see you!" Glancing at the straw sorting, she smiles. "Hopefully I'm not interrupting your time to get some work done...I know how hard it can be to find enough time for one's art as the court gets busy." She taps her stachel, "I keep the one you sent attached to one of my scrolls. It's really lovely work."

"How have the days found you here so far?"

Masaki raises her head and nod-bows to the Asahina just a moment before she speaks as she hears the clicking getting closer, then speeding up. "Asahina-san!", she says simply at first as she gets up and gives her a proper bow. "It's so good to see you as well!" A vague gesture at the straws, a contained, but warm smile forming on her lips. "No interruption at all, I was just getting things in order. I'm so glad you liked it! I felt the grace and fleetingness of a cherry blossom would be a perfect fit for Asahina-san - but knowing of your own artistic talents, it was hard to overcome the hesitation"

"The first days... I suppose new is a good word. Even for one who is no stranger to courts. But as the wind often teaches us, new can be good, ne? But what about you? Has Kyuden Ikoma treated you well so far?" She points to a place besides her at the table, the small smile widening a bit. "Were you in a rush to get somewhere? If not... do you have your supplies with you?" A small giggle. "I just realized we have seen or written each other so little in the last years I do not even know which art it is that you decided to dedicate most of your efforts to!"

Yasuki Masaki wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2025 2:12 am

snip

"The blossom was lovely. I always appreciate its reminder of transience...and the irony of fixing it in art so it may become much more permanent." Her gaze grows a bit long. "And, I'm in no hurry...coming *from* a meeting actually, with a good deal to think about. I suppose that's likely to be a common occurrence in the coming weeks."

She nods at the invitation, taking a seat with no particular grace and smoothing her silks. "The Kyuden has been fine. Well made, decent food, and the court venom mostly aimed at bigger fish than me. I'm glad you've really settled into your medium. It was unusual beside all the netsuke and jewelry crafters."

Unlatching her satchel, she rummages through, to come up with a few large sheets of paper. "For myself, I stuck to an easily portable art as well. Origami needs little besides paper, an analytical mind, and nimble fingers." The paper is laid onto the little table, showing the creases of working out a figure. "Not sure I trust how clean the table is, but good enough for futzing at an idea in progress."

"Now, how do you get all the colors? Do they grow that way?"

Asahina Hoshiko wrote: ↑

Fri Jan 10, 2025 3:45 am

"The blossom was lovely. I always appreciate its reminder of transience...and the irony of fixing it in art so it may become much more permanent." Her gaze grows a bit long. "And, I'm in no hurry...coming *from* a meeting actually, with a good deal to think about. I suppose that's likely to be a common occurrence in the coming weeks."

She nods at the invitation, taking a seat with no particular grace and smoothing her silks. "The Kyuden has been fine. Well made, decent food, and the court venom mostly aimed at bigger fish than me. I'm glad you've really settled into your medium. It was unusual beside all the netsuke and jewelry crafters."

Unlatching her satchel, she rummages through, to come up with a few large sheets of paper. "For myself, I stuck to an easily portable art as well. Origami needs little besides paper, an analytical mind, and nimble fingers." The paper is laid onto the little table, showing the creases of working out a figure. "Not sure I trust how clean the table is, but good enough for futzing at an idea in progress."

"Now, how do you get all the colors? Do they grow that way?"

"I'm so happy you liked it, Asahina-san", the Yasuki says warmly, shifting slightly in her seat to face Hoshiko as she sits down. "And now that you mention, I notice I really should have known, with the delicacy and detail in how your letters were - well, folded." A silent chuckle. "Somehow, I feel it suits you too. The way life's path unfolds, the way a being becomes another through these changes." A nod.

"As for me... I suppose I've always felt drawn to our small grassland areas, and to plaiting. But somehow I never felt it... enough." A small smile as she seems to complete some arrangements. "Oh - the table, of course!", she exclaims as she gets up and fetches a small piece of cloth from her sleeve. "It must have been my straws! Let me see", she adds as she wipes some of the pieces, hopefully producing a suitable place for Hoshiko's work.

When she sits again, she gets a handful of pieces to work with - most in tones of brown, some green, some white. "Some of the colours are natural - shades of brown are easy to find, or produce easily by drying or pressing", she says, pointing out some of those she's picked. "And some grasses that grow back home have an almost golden sheen! They're somewhat rare, but you may remember them?", she adds, a finger touching a bundle that fits the description.

"Others need some more effort - treatment while drying, or in some cases dying with extracts. They do become pretty though, don't they?", she says with an almost childlike smile as she starts weaving some of the tones of brown into what seems to be the trunk of a tree.

"I have been trying to practice with the lessons the sensei last taught me - it always feels like there's still much to improve! But tell me, Hoshiko-san, was there a specific piece you had in mind? From what the rustling leaves told, I'm rather eager to see your work - and your mastery of the Tsangusuri-ka's lessons!"


-----
OOC: Were you hoping to create one now, btw? I was kinda planning to since I had 2 VPs remaining. Throwing the roll here just in case since the day flips tomorrow... if it doesn't make sense in the end we'll see what happened.

D2 ME - Creating a Jasmine Tree with straw. TN 20. VP to make it a Tsangusuri. | 7k4 ⇒ 19 (TN: 20) (and the first roll failed regardless XD)

D2 ME - Creating a Jasmine Tree with straw. TN 20. Last VP of the day to make it a Tsangusuri. Attempt 2! | 7k4 ⇒ 39 (TN: 20)

Yasuki Masaki wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 11, 2025 1:55 am

snip

"Oh goodness...no pressure!" She laughs as she says it. "And I doubt it was the grasses on the table. It's outside...dust and leaves are everywhere." She nods along with the explanation, with passing familiarity of topics like pressing botanicals and dyes. "I did hope the letters would at least prove entertaining, and the air spirits enjoy the puzzle of such things, whether to solve or suggest them."

"They really are pretty, and the dyes do a lovely job. Reminds me of fabric ribbons, but capable of a finer weave and..." She hunts for the right words a moment, "It's a less sumptuous medium than silk ribbons, and obviously stiffer for a very different feel to the finished objects." She watches the weaving. "Is it hard keeping them soft enough to weave?"

Her own hands begin the base folds of her practice sheet, not too much thought to worry about there. "And yes, I'm trying to settle this koi shape...all the scales took some working out. But the fellow I'm making it for feels the regard of his grand aunt, and she was a great breeder of fancy ones, so he feels that shape likely to best hold her attention and regard. I'll know when I get it settled and try setting that spiritual hook."

Asahina Hoshiko wrote: ↑

Sun Jan 12, 2025 9:55 am

"Oh goodness...no pressure!" She laughs as she says it. "And I doubt it was the grasses on the table. It's outside...dust and leaves are everywhere." She nods along with the explanation, with passing familiarity of topics like pressing botanicals and dyes. "I did hope the letters would at least prove entertaining, and the air spirits enjoy the puzzle of such things, whether to solve or suggest them."

"They really are pretty, and the dyes do a lovely job. Reminds me of fabric ribbons, but capable of a finer weave and..." She hunts for the right words a moment, "It's a less sumptuous medium than silk ribbons, and obviously stiffer for a very different feel to the finished objects." She watches the weaving. "Is it hard keeping them soft enough to weave?"

Her own hands begin the base folds of her practice sheet, not too much thought to worry about there. "And yes, I'm trying to settle this koi shape...all the scales took some working out. But the fellow I'm making it for feels the regard of his grand aunt, and she was a great breeder of fancy ones, so he feels that shape likely to best hold her attention and regard. I'll know when I get it settled and try setting that spiritual hook."

The Yasuki still does her best to get a place clean - or cleaner - even with Hoshiko's answer... although she's probably right that it may not be enough. "Oh... I suppose a proper setting is rather important to get the paper as one wants... You don't often see scribes practicing outside either, ne?" A soft chuckle is followed by an apologetical smile.

"It makes a lot of sense that the air kami would enjoy origami puzzles - I suppose that's one thing we have in common, then, as I also found them lovely!"

Looking at her own materials. "Generally you need to soak them in water to keep them malleable... after having the straws prepared, that is." She points at a small bowl of water on the table. "Preferably warm water too - but for some simpler things it may be easier."

She then observes Hoshiko starting to work, and her eyes immediately shine as she mentions what it is she's making. "Oh, that's already so charming, Asahina-san - such detail on the scales! I do hope you'll find the shape you're looking for soon - you probably know how much I - well, we back at home - care for these friendly types, ne?" She tilts her head slightly. "If you want some inspiration, and you have the time, I did bring north with me a book on koi fish. Well, the fleshy ones, but in case they might serve as inspiration."

(OOC: Sorry, life run me over, as I said. I'd love to get at least this thread properly done if possible - and then I'll see what I can manage later...)

Yasuki Masaki wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 14, 2025 3:17 pm

snip

She brightens, fingers still prodding folds into place. "That would be delightful! Some references for markings isn't a bad thing to have! I imagine if I can model things after some particularly rare pattern, it will suit even better. And *I* am not a koi fancier to know those offhand."

"Some heavier papers work best with a bit of water too. You get more...sculptural designs that way," Hoshiko says with a small nod toward the little bowl. "Sets the folds extremely well too."

She looks to the straw work in progress. "Do you know what sort of spirit you're trying to attract ahead of time, or just go with what feels right to make at the time?"


********************
no worries, between work and a bit of overload, I've been having some trouble myself.

Asahina Hoshiko wrote: ↑

Thu Jan 16, 2025 7:00 am

She brightens, fingers still prodding folds into place. "That would be delightful! Some references for markings isn't a bad thing to have! I imagine if I can model things after some particularly rare pattern, it will suit even better. And *I* am not a koi fancier to know those offhand."

"Some heavier papers work best with a bit of water too. You get more...sculptural designs that way," Hoshiko says with a small nod toward the little bowl. "Sets the folds extremely well too."

She looks to the straw work in progress. "Do you know what sort of spirit you're trying to attract ahead of time, or just go with what feels right to make at the time?"


********************
no worries, between work and a bit of overload, I've been having some trouble myself.

"Oh, please do stop by at the Crab House and I'll hand it to Asahina-san, then! Perhaps we can even look at some of the varieties together and find some shared inspiration for future work, ne?"

She looks at Hoshiko working then as her hands touch the water to get back to work. "Oh, I didn't expect water to be useful for origami too! Although it does make sense now you explain it..." A somewhat sheepish smile. "I suppose it just shows how little I know of your craft, Asahina-san. Good thing we have such opportunities to learn, ne?"

Looking down at her own work after Hoshiko's question then. "I..." She looks down for a moment, another somewhat shy smile on her lips, or rather only at at their corners. "I have to assume I had a hard time with that at first. The sensei told me I had to feel it. It... just happened on its own, at first - I had no idea or intention to develop my talents in this way, as Asahina-san may remember from our training days."

She keeps on for a while, pleating some pieces in what would apparently become one of the petals.

"I kept trying to do that - feel it, let it come naturally. Sometimes it did, a lot of the time it did not."

Like now, probably. She seemed to be having some difficulty, as her eyes straining suggest.

"After some time I eventually managed to... I suppose the proper way to say it would be let inspiration guide me. But somehow I found that frustrating, so lately I've been trying to convince myself that I can guide inspiration where I need it instead - and thus try to attract the right spirits for what I need." A small grin. "Too practical, maybe? I suppose it is..."

She looks down again - some pieces seemed to have ended up crushed and unusable on its ends. She takes a deep breath, undoes part of the work, starts over.

"I imagine Asahina-san has an easier way with it? You have been on this path longer, ne? How do you usually do it?"

Yasuki Masaki wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 18, 2025 11:57 pm

snip

Hoshiko shakes her head slightly. "Not too practical at all. Sometimes the spirits will do what they will, regardless of intent, but they're often quite amenable to attraction, as so many of our rituals and practices meant for...well for those who can't hear the kami or other spirits. What works to appease and draw friendly spirits works even better when you can add our sort of persuasion."

"Like this one, where I hope to draw the interest of a particular ancestor Nahomi-chan has said she feels close to and sometimes feels is near. I won't set it till back home where we can test that feeling." She fiddles with the tail of the piece, adjusting folds for more symmetry.

"I'd never have considered grass to work with, it's surprising, but such an obviously beneficial material to connect with both earth and air, isn't it? You've really advanced your technique. Do you ever do larger pieces to display? Or only tsangusuri?" She sets the practice piece aside and pulls out a nicer piece of paper of a smooth white, and small stick of reddish orange pigment to begin placing seemingly random blobs that would become appropriate markings when folded.

"As for me, I came to it somewhat naturally as it builds on other talents that I'd already needed to master. You're pulling on affinities to draw something to settle in the work, and I had to learn much the same when I found my spirit drawn to other realms. So I had to practice that before proper training with the school." She pauses, holding the pigment stick a bit aloft as she looks to the distance. "It feels like aligning my soul to what I am trying to draw into the charm--air spirits, helpful ancestors--finding that alignment and beseeching."

She shakes her head a bit, putting pigment to paper for one final blob. "It sounds a bit odd saying it, doesn't it?"