D8 ME - Art Festival: The Exhibit (Art contributions only)

[Yasuki Masaki]

Most of the tables, easels and other implements usually found spread across the greenery of the Forecourt and alongside the margins of the koi pond have been gathered at the central part of the garden, arranged so as to prepare specific areas for exhibits representing each of the Great Clans - each one done by the members of another Great Clan, as per the festival's theme.

Spots are also reserved for representations of Minor Clans - prepared by members of different minor clans, in keeping with the theme. Monks present at the Winter Court and the Imperial families will find a central area with space for any pieces of their own, should they also decide to display their own contributions to tonight's celebration of "Strength in Unity and Diversity".

A keen observer will note that the spaces reserved for the exhibits representing the Great Clans are arranged so that the order more or less resembles their positions in Rokugan. The Court itself would be the east, where the sun would rise each day; walking in from the court chamber, the space reserved for representations of the Crab Clan is to the left, that of the Phoenix and Dragon to the right, the Lion and Scorpion some steps into the area, towards the "west". The space reserved for the Crane lies to the left as well, not that far from the Crab - perhaps an unconscious effect of the Yasuki's experience of the Crane as being "just around the corner". The area for monks and imperials is roughly at the centre, more or less close to the Court - where one would expect to find Otosan Uchi, although since the distances are far from following perfect scale, one could also easily argue that this central area would be Kyuden Ikoma instead.

At each reserved space, those making contributions will find a number of implements that may be used to prepare artwork during the night itself, as well as plenty of space to display pieces prepared in advance. If space or props are needed for live performances, those can be arranged by talking to servants as well - within reason, of course.



The Artworks per Clan/Section
(I'll try to keep updating this with the artworks when possible!)

Crab

• The strongest sibling - story
• The Crab - metal sculpture (Not contributed by the Scorpion delegation)
• Tofu sheds tears when cut - Operetta

Crane

• norite iku/tsuru no ha kaze ni (carried on/the cranes’ wing-breeze) - mixed art and poem

Dragon

• Incense dragon between Umbrella mountaintops and high-altitude monastery - Inspires a feeling of calm and fulfilment
• The Dragon - theatre mask
• The Dragon Mountain - origami

Lion

• Four passages from 'Leadership' - calligraphic exhibit
• Tsugaru Jongara Bushi - Shamisen piece

Phoenix

• Scenery and general setting; The Performance
• Character: Ho-oh
• Character: Ki-rin
• Character: Hotei and more terrain/scenery
• Character: The Gardener
• The Plot: Ho-oh returns to the Celestial Heavens
• Delivery of the story
• Character's voices

Scorpion

• Loyalty - calligraphic wall hanging
• Falling snowflakes melt - poem
• Sanjura, a gift representing hope, honor, peace, and friendship - metal sculpture

Minor Clans

• Boar - Shoating ad libitum - Flute solo standing on one leg
• Fox - Shining miniature pine - Bonsai
• Mantis - Many-hued flying mantis - Origami
• Sparrow - A Sparrow flies from/in a net - Thin ropes and nets
• Tortoise - Humble beauty - Arrangement of vegetable greens
• Badger - The Ivory Tower - Sculpture in... Ivory?
• Centipede - Sunrise at the Valley - Painting

The Empire (Contributions from Monks and Imperials)

• The Rings of the Empire - Calligraphic exhibit
• Tribute to Monks' piety - Shamisen solo (Contributed by a Phoenix)

(OOC:
Please post here *only* the description of any artwork you are displaying in the festival!
Some notes:

• Please make one single post per artwork, describing it.
• If you want your PC to make more than one contribution, feel free to, describing one in each post. Just be reasonable, we want multiple people to shine
• You're free to include rolls as well if you want - preferably at the end of the post, after the description. Just remember this is not a competition, so the rolls are basically for fluff.
• Remember your artwork will be displayed in the area corresponding to the clan you will be *representing* (as per the random assignments!), not your own clan.
• For joint pieces, I suggest first posting a "summary" of the work and its parts; each of the PCs contributing to that work can then make a post describing their own contribution in more detail.
• If your artwork involves a performance, I suggest including in the post *when* the performance happens - and noting if it happens at multiple points or times during the festival! [
• If more than one person is involved in a performance, it's a good idea to include one post with the 'summary', then describe each PCs contributions/ actions (as done in D7 for Theatre!)
• If your artwork involves a 'setting', 'pieces' *and* a performance (as the one representing the Phoenix does!), my suggestion is to first describe the 'setting', then do other posts describing the 'pieces' and the 'performance', as above.

I hope everyone has fun!

Note: Since it was asked: Masaki does not have a pre-existing plan or suggestion for what each contributor should do with their pieces after the festival, so you're free to decide what to do with it. That's assuming important NPCs don't decide to take that decision for us, of course!)

[Yasuki Masaki]

The Phoenix

Artwork: Scenery and general setting
Close to one of the corners of the central garden, turning right if coming from the Court chamber, the space reserved for the Phoenix Clan has been set up with two tables set next to each other, covered in a delicate cloth that makes it look a bit like a stage of sorts.

Displayed on the table are what looks like a piece of "scenery", in an arrangement with flowers that looks somewhat like a miniature garden, as well as props representing walls and other elements one might find in a palace, as well as small animal-like, mythical creatures and other elements. Some other pieces, similarly sized - perhaps other pieces of 'scenery' - are tucked to the sides, covered by pieces of cloth - as if waiting to be revealed later.

Four larger figurines are also displayed on the table, to one side at first. Two of them are made of coloured, woven straws - a telltale style that those who have seen Masaki's gifts in court will immediately recognise - both very well made, with vibrant colours and great detail. One of them is made in woodwork, also very detailed. The last one is a 'flowery' character - a flower arrangement in itself.

The figurines and pieces of setting seem to suggest that there is something more to the set than just the pieces themselves... but what exactly would only become clear after more visitors arrived for the festival.

THE PERFORMANCE:
After the festival is well underway, Shiori and Masaki will call those who want to hear the tale of "Ho-oh's return to the Celestial Heavens". The Story will be told some 3 or 4 times during the second half of the festival, allowing different crowds to hear and see it.

The "burning down" of the Celestial Palace when the dying embers of Ho-oh ignite it are represented by the scenery being covered with a cloth in shades of red, the removed from the 'stage' in the table. The 'dream' takes place on a simple cloth in varied colours. The last part, in the morning, as the Gardener's blossoms rebuild the castle, are represented on a different background, mostly done in Ikebana - although it also includes small props representing denizens of the Celestial Heavens and a few small buildings.

(OOC:
Specific descriptions of each of the figurines *and* what comes later will be done in other posts!
Ryoichi's (Ikebana) and Daichi's (Woodworking) contributions for the Scenery/Setting may or may not include rolls - but it *was* a joint work!

Roll for Masaki's contribution:
D7 LM - Creating part of the artwork for D8 festival. Props/parts of the scenery; VP to make it a Tsangusuri. TN 20, 1 Raise called. | 7k4+4 ⇒ 33 (TN: 25)

This is related to what comes later, but already leaving those here for reference:
D8 ME - Blessing Shiori before performance in the Art Festival. Assuming we need 1 casting for each as the Performances (2 or 3 times) are only done some time after the festival has started (but more slots are available if needed!). | 7k4 ⇒ 39 (TN: 15)

D8 ME - Blessing herself before performance in the Art Festival. Assuming we need 1 casting for each as the Performances (2 or 3 times) are only done some time after the festival has started (but more slots are available if needed!). | 7k4 ⇒ 68 (TN: 15))

[Agasha Yuna]

Yuna stood in the Scorpion section.

Her contribution was a calligraphic wall hanging.

The central kanji was 'Loyalty' but with an ink drawn tail to make it look like a scorpion. The text around the perimeter was language commonly sworn by Scorpion yojimbo: "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will."

For those who asked about the in-set framing of it - a central square of paper framed by a second piece of paper with the quote, she explained:

"The central image is on an original piece of paper. I cut off the original framing quote that I'd written and made the new frame that rests on top with the quote you can see. This wall hanging is itself a story about collaboration, as this art exhibit was meant to inspire. I originally had a quote of historical interest. An Emperor's words to a Scorpion. But I thought to ask Soshi-san and he suggested these words, which so beautifully describe Loyalty. The end product is far better because I asked him for his input. Because the two clans worked together."

https://sakkaku.org/r/16150 A 25 on calligrapy/int

[Asahina Minase]

After her disastrous intervention into Lion schooling earlier in the day, Minase was now back on firmer ground. The firmest ground of all maybe.

Her piece was placed in the area reserved for art evoking the spirit of the Dragon Clan. A pair of painted umbrellas. One with exquisite art of a snowy mountaintop, the other a representation of the High House of Light perhaps, but certainly a high altitude fastness of Togashi's followers if not that. They were placed at an angle towards each other and between them lay a simple incense burner in the sinuous shape of a dragon.

A tribute to the Dragon perhaps, but the Crane origin of the art shone through in technique, brush stroke and even choice of paints. It left most viewing it with a sense of calmness and solemnity.

--
D8 Art Exhibition. Creating a Dragon themed umbrella art piece. KA Tech 2 Activation included. Artisan:Umbrella/Awareness: Base TN assumed 15, KA Tech 1, Void for +1k1. Contested roll so no raises. | 10k6 ⇒ 42 (TN: 15)

Anyone viewing the piece is imbued with a feeling of calm and fulfilment like that of a day spent in quiet meditation or introspection. This can be resisted by a Etiquette (Courtesy)/Willpower roll, TN 42. If not contested or failed then the mood lasts for about two hours. Note it is only a mood, a feeling. Kakita Artisan Tech 2 is NOT mind control despite all the memes.

[Yasuki Masaki]

The Phoenix

Artwork: Character - Ho-oh
One of the larger figurines on the table - perhaps the largest - is made with interlaced straws in a variety of yellow, orange, red and golden tones, from the pale to the blazing. The figurine has intricate detail, from the beak to the wings and tail - the latter with burning red spots adorning otherwise bright yellow straw feathres.

The Ho-oh is a legendary creature existing since before the fall of the kami, wise and undying, rising again each morning with the sun regardless of what happens. Often associated with the Phoenix and involved in some tales involving their personages, including the Kami Shiba, the character clearly seems to be an allusion to the clan itself.

(OOC:
D8 MM - Preparing Ho-oh figurine for Art Festival. VP to make Tsangusuri. Assuming base TN 20, 2 Raises called | 7k4+4 ⇒ 58 (TN: 30))

[Soshi Eiji]

THE CRAB

To commerate the Crab, Soshi Eiji had composed a tale of the Crab to celebrate their strength as a clan. The story had been transcribed by those with the festival with good calligraphy skills to be displayed alongside the stage. Should a samurai come by while Eiji was not performing the tale, they could still read it for themselves, or even go back and rexamine the story. But he did tell the story, six times over the course of the festival, once in honor of each of the great clans. It was best to hear him tell it in person, but duty did not always allow so, but it was a sight to behold:

Once, long ago, there were twins born into Crab who were completely unalike, yet complimented each other perfectly.

The eldest, by a number of pained breathes, would take the name Kakumau. Kakumau grew up to be broad of shoulder, and muscles as hard as the stones of their homeland. Indeed, arrows bounced off them and they gave them no more mind than a mosquito bite. A truly fearsome sight on the battlefield, a juggernaut that once pointed towards an objective, it was not a question of if they would make it, but how long before the enemy would give way to their assault.

The younger, again by a number of pained breaths, took the name Hokosaki. While Hokosaki was strong as well, their true strength was in their eyes. Their eyes were so sharp, they could pick out the weakest part of an enemy's armor across the battlefield, and strike it true with but a single arrow.

They were formidble individually on a battlefield, but when the two fought side by side, nothing stood a chance. No matter how sharp the opponent's blade, Kakumau turned them aside without so much as a papercut of a wound. No matter how heavily armored the foe, it would not be long before Hokosaki's arrows had buried themselves deep within their hearts. And so the two fought battle after battle, bringing the Crab victory after victory.

Word of their victories reached all the way to the lands of the Scorpion, where a certain Scorpion noble who was possessed of a mighty curiousity and a somewhat mischeavous spirit thought it might be amusing to pit the two great warriors of the Crab against each other. And so they travelled to the Winter Court of Kyuden Hida, a plan forming in theirmind.

Over the winter court, the Scorpion watched the two siblings compete in courtly competition after courtly competition. Kakumau played kemari until every other player was left panting on the ground, and drank sake until there was no more. Hokosaki split arrow after arrow in the archery contest, and left their Sadane opponents feeling as if they too had been mortlaly pierced by their arrows. And yet, the Scorpion noted, only one sibling would enter any given contest, while the other would simply observe from the sidelines.

With their suspcions confirmed, and the roads starting to clear, the Scorpion approached the host of the court.

"My good host, i have greatly enjoyed your clan's hospitality this wiinter. My clan would like to strengthen the bonds between us by wedding myself to your strongest warrior." they said, having also spent the Winter earning the host's good graces through careful flattery and gifts.

"Ah, that would please me greatly. Both Kakumau-san and Hokosaki-san are of age. I would be greatly pleased to see you wed to one of them." the host replied.

"Indeed, my lord" the Scorpion replied. "But which one is the strongest?"

"I'm sorry?" the lord said confused.

"My clan had instructed that I should marry your strongest warrior. I cannot wed two warriors, so which one is the strongest?"

Now this troubled the host greatly. Both were equal in their mind, but it was true that the Scorpion could only marry one.

"Perhaps, I might make a suggestion, my lord." the Scorpion offered. "One tests the strength of a sword before takng it into battle. Perhaps you might arrange a final spar between the siblings to determine which is the strongest."

And so it was arranged. The two siblings had never so much lifted a shinai against one another, and the curoiusity of the castle meant the dojo was packed with everyone who could arrange to attend the spar. Overall, the crowd favored Kakumau. True, Hokosaki had slain countless more foes than his elder brother, but surely Kakumau HAD no weak spot for Hokosaki to exploit.

The two faced off against one another, bowed, and the fight was on. Roaring Kakumau charged like a bull across the dojo floor, grabbing Hokosaki with both hands as if to squeeze the life out of them. Hokosaki leaned in close and whispered something to Kakumau. And slowly, like a mighty tree being toppled, Kakumau sank to one knee, then two, and yielded the match.

The crowd went wild! Everyone was amazed that Hokosaki had found the weak spot and defeated their seemingly invincible sibling. But the Scorpion, was besides themself. What had happened? What had passed between the two?

And so as soon as Hokosaki made their way to the Scorpion and the host, the Scorpion was upon them.

"That was very well fought, Hokosaki-san, but tell me, how did you best your sibling?" the Scorpion asked.

"Ah, well that is a well guarded secret of the Crab clan, Scorpion-san. I could only reveal it to you were you marrying into our clan, rather than I into yours."

That had not been the Scorpion's plan, but they HAD to learn the secret of defeating the invincible Kakumau, and so the terms of the treaty were altered and signed, and only then did Hokosaki reveal the secret to his new spouse.

"I told my sibling this, 'I love Scorpon-san but not so much as I love you my sibling. If you yield to me, I will make sure that we stay together.'"

Hokosaki had found the weak spot of their sibling AND the Scorpion, and their sibling who had never faltered, did so to protect whom they loved most.

Awa/Perform: Storytelling: 26

[Yasuki Masaki]

The Phoenix

Artwork: Character - Ki-rin
The other large figurine also built with plaited straws is a stylised ki-rin - a mystical creature in the general shape of a horse with silken fur, a single pearlescent horn and eyes of jade. A horse or something similar - the descriptions are rather varied in different retellings of the tales involving it.

The figurine has its body in greens, blues and purples, some of the straws used to make it clearly dyed or maybe painted to produce some rather otherwordly colours. Blazing red flames and fumes rise up from the back of the creature, and its feet, mane and tail are similarly covered in flames, although yellowish and golden. Its posture looks as if ready to set off in a gallop at any moment. The horn is done with three interlocked straws, all of them white, although some paint seems to have been used for the pealescent tone, and its jade-green eyes are done with what seems to be small pieces of leaves.

The Ki-rin is usually described in tales as a symbol of swiftness and good fortune, its rare appearances foreshadowing important events. It is described in some stories as the Ho-oh's sibling.

(OOC:
ME - Creating Ki-rin straw figurine for the art festival. TN 20, 1 Raise, +4 bonus | 7k4+4 ⇒ 43 (TN: 25))

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi's contributions to the art festival were mostly in way of terrain, wooden building and background pieces of various levels of detail had been made over the course of several days. The star of the show for him at least was the figure of Hotei which took int's place among the various figures that played the part in the story. The fortune of contentment was crafted from birch, the lighter colored wood giving the Fortune something of a sunny disposition along with its smile.

---------------------------------------------------------
Basic Terrain
Day 7 Em Artisan carving/Awareness tn 15 to make basic terrain pieces for the art show. | 5k3 ⇒ 20 (TN: 15)
More detailed Terrain
finishing up fancier terrain for art show. tn 20 void day 8 EM | 6k4 ⇒ 47 (TN: 20)
Hotei
Creating Hotei figure for the art festival. Void for 1k1 tn 20 with one raise | 6k4 ⇒ 41 (TN: 25)

[Kitsu Sayomi]

The Crane



For the Crane, Sayomi had made a sculpture with an accompanying poem.

The sculpture was five origami cranes, seemingly caught in flight up to the sky from a smooth rock. The rock itself rested on fine sand, in which the poem was written in a circle around it. That the writing was in the sand gave it a sense of impermanence and whimsy, like words written on the sandy beaches before the waves wash them away.

のりて行くつるの羽風に雲晴れて月もさやけくすむ山べかな

"Carried on
The cranes’ wing-breeze,
The clouds part and
The moon, so bright, and
Clear shines on this mountainside!"


------

Art for festival. Artisan: Origami/Awareness. | 5k4 ⇒ 46 (TN: 15)
Art for festival. Artisan: Sculpting/Awareness | 5k4 ⇒ 26 (TN: 15)
Art for festival. Artisan: Poetry/Awareness. 1 raise. | 6k4 ⇒ 26 (TN: 15)

[Kuni Shiori]

The Phoenix

Story: Characters
• Ho-oh: The Phoenix, a creature existing since before the fall of the kami, wise and undying, rising again every morning with the sun regardless of what happens.
• Ki-rin: The Phoenix's swift sibling, a symbol of good fortune.
• Hotei-no-kami: The Fortune of Contentment.
•The Gardener: An ikebana-based character, appearing in the second part of the story, representing restored beauty and purpose in the Celestial Heavens after difficult times.

Story: Summary

After roaming the Realm of Mortals, Ho-oh makes it long trek back to the Celestial Heavens, eager to share stories of its adventures and discovered curiosities with its friends. It returns to the Palace where all of its friends reside but soon discovers something has changed since its last visit. The mood is sombre, many of the residents are no longer there and those who remain are listless. It turns out that the Celestial Dragon has disappeared, many have left in hopes of finding the Celestial Dragon but to no avail.

Ho-oh is distraught and begins to panic, burning more chaotically and flitting back and forth. Soon, Hotei-no-kami appears before the mythical creature to assuage its concern. The Fortune sagely provides wise words, stating that one doesn't need to look very far for answers that could easily be found within. The Fortune is eternally content and sees no need to worry in the situation. Ho-oh considers this enlightened wisdom for only a moment but recalls instead its wealth of wisdom and experience, and decides to forge its own path instead.

Joining in the search, Ho-oh roams the Celestial Heaven and frantically searches for the Dragon, burning brighter in the process. However, the Phoenix's own efforts don't bear much fruit and find itself burning out faster in the process. Despite its efforts to stave off the night with its fiery glow, it finds it cannot burn brightly enough to both sustain itself and continue the search. Tired and weary it finds itself gliding back to the Palace. Ho-oh falls into despair and protests the situation by fighting itself to maintain its burn. However, they only managed to extinguish themselves faster just as the dying embers inadvertently ignited the Palace...

Ho-oh falls into a dream and finds itself visited by its sibling, Ki-rin. What would have been a joyous reunion is cut short when Ho-oh is reminded of the present circumstances and the missing Celestial Dragon. When asked for aid in the search, Ki-rin instead cryptically talks of serendipity and trust. Ki-rin reminds its sibling that knowledge shines brighter when guided by certainty and shared. When asked to elaborate, Ki-rin merely gallops away and the dream is over.

In the morning, Ho-oh dwells on the wisdom of Hotei-no-kami and the kind words from Ki-rin. It realizes that it must trust in its knowledge and share it, when the time is right. It emerges from its ashes reborn and burning brightly. Ho-oh encounters the Gardener, who has been born by the Palace's destruction. Ho-oh is awed by the Gardener's ability to plant beautiful flowers in place of where the Palace once stood. The Gardener finds little tragedy by the circumstance, being created and given the opportunity to contribute to the great beauty of the Celestial Heavens.

Despite finding a new friend and the beautiful flowers, Ho-oh realizes that the Celestial Dragon still hasn't returned. However, instead of despairing once more, Ho-oh instead focuses on sharing their knowledge with the Gardner. The Gardner, inspired by the generosity and kindness of Ho-oh, agrees to do the same with others so that others may grow and bloom, much like his flowers. Satisfied that the Gardner has been enlightened by its shared wisdom, it departs once more in search of adventure, knowing that the Celestial Dragon will return when the time is right.

[Yasuki Ryoichi]

Among the figurines in Masaki's garden scene was a figure cunningly crafted of green vines and wire and accented with tiny red blossoms that hinted at a birdlike motif. He was a little taller than the other figurines, as if depicting a larger-than-life heroic figure (or perhaps indicating the crafter had not coordinated with the other artists...), and bore a long hooked pole resembling a gardening implement.

Tiny shoots of green grass surrounded the figure of the Gardener, with "footprints" of red flower petals trailing behind him, suggesting that perhaps the Gardener had walked to his present position, leaving blossoming flowers in his wake.

Red Flowers.jpg (51.53 KiB) Viewed 2261 times

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8ME Art event, make flowery miniature figures and terrain in honor of the Phoenix, Art: Ikebana/Awareness +Void Point | 6k5 ⇒ 30 (TN: 20)

[Shiba Ryusei]

Ryusei had labored repeatedly over the calligraphy for his own presentation.

He'd originally thought to do a story for each of the Lion's families, but as it was a calligraphy demonstration, it quickly became apparent that he had bitten off more than he could chew.

Two wasted pieces of paper in, he had revised his plans.

So the Phoenix demonstration on behalf of the Lion took the form of four quotations from Leadership in black ink, each centered on a piece of golden-yellow paper with the family mon worked above it in red.

The brushwork was very much on point- while also suggesting some of how he'd done it, evoking a sort of spiritual "all and nothing" approach.

For the Ikoma, birth clan of his Mother, and the clan hosting a deeply challenging Court, he had chosen something to honor Lord Ikoma's steadfast dedication to his job, even in the face of a world that seemed hellbent on torturing him for it.

"Be resolved that duty is heavier than a mountain, while death is lighter than a feather”

For the the Kitsu, whose daimyo seemed so desperate to be of some service.

"With the spirits of his ancestors standing beside him, a samurai never stands alone."

For the Akodo, tasked with almost-literally herding cats.

"A samurai is not only respected for his strength in battle, but also by his dealings with other men."

The Matsu.

“There are only two alternatives: Win or die”

--
Fluffy calligraphy roll made during Day 6 so the Void-bomb was available. | 6k5 ⇒ 34

[Kuni Shiori]

The Phoenix

Scenery and general setting here.

Full story here.

Shiori would lend her voice in narrating the tale of Ho-oh with much of the presented pieces seemingly coming to life with the projected voices from Masaki, which complemented each other to make for an animated storytelling. For the beginning act, Shiori was sure to convey a slight air of whimsy at first, which seemed appropriate when this tale took place in the majestic celestial heavens with beings who were far more fantastical than any mortal in this realm. However, the tale became more serious and sombre when Ho-oh took to the frantic search for the Celestial Dragon. The tone would have slight tinges of dread and hopelessness as things spiraled and the act ended with the extinguishing of the Phoenix.

The story would return to a lighter tone, almost airy, when the tale took the audience to the dream world with Ki-rin. Things were uncertain but hopeful. When the tale returns to the Celestial Heavens in the waking world, her tone becomes more neutral, both in the wake of the destruction of the Palace and also the lesson learned by Ho-oh. The tale would ultimately end on a more confident and valiant note as Ho-oh flew off, perhaps in search of more knowledge and more friends to spread their wealth of knowledge.

Roll
Day 8 - Mid Evening, Art Festival: Perform: Storytelling with voice (+1k1), void (+1k1), Benten's Touch and Asahina tsangusuri (+3k1+4 total for both), 3 Called Raises!!! | 9k6+4 ⇒ 51 (TN: 30)

[Yasuki Masaki]

The Phoenix

Scenery and general setting here.

Characters: Ho-oh, Ki-rin, Hotei-no-kami, The Gardener

Full story here.

Story delivery here.

Whenever Ho-oh, Hotei-no-kami, Ki-rin or the Gardener spoke during Shiori's tale, it was no longer Shiori's voice speaking, but the character itself, the sound spreading as if from the figurines themselves as hands moved them around the scenery during the story, each character's intonations reflecting their feelings and personality - as well as frustration, tranquility, despair or joy, as appropriate for their roles and the different parts of the tale.

Each of them had their own distinctive voice, of course.

Hotei-no-kami's was deep, but soft and breathy, hinting at calm in the face of adversity - not projected, as the artwork representing the Dragon achieved, but suggested.

The Ki-rin's higher-pitched, musical voice had some unexpected inflections, giving it something of an otherwordly character as its spoke to the Ho-oh in generally short, fast-paced sentences.

Given Ho-oh's main role in the story, it would come as no surprise that its voice changed and varied the most during the retellings - ranging from hearty when first returning to the Celestial Palace, through dowcast and tremulous in its doubts, shrill, then booming when trying to keep its spirit aflame, and finally a resonant, but gentle tone as it finds a path by sharing its knowledge. Throughout the story, however, something remains the same - crackling inflections here and there, and a fiery disposition of sorts. Sometimes a blaze, sometimes embers, but always similar enough to give the character a consistent core.

Appearing only in the last parts of the story, the Gardener speaks in a fruity, sing-song voice, which spread rather easily and, though sweet, has a lasting effect - much like the flowers it leaves behind its steps and the blossoming lessons it agrees to share further at Ho-oh's request.

Masaki herself doesn't speak, of course. It would be most improper to interrupt Shiori's story.

---------
Roll
D8 ME - Perform: Ventriloquism/Agi, being the character's voices in 'Ho-oh returns to the Celestial Heavens'. VP for +1k1, Benten's Touch for +1k1+4, Ho-oh Tsangusuri effect grants +2k0. Assuming base TN 15, 3 called raises. | 8k5+4 ⇒ 47 (TN: 30)

[Shiba Ryushi]

Ryushi sat down with his shamisen and dedicated this song to the Lion calvary.


D7 ME Art Event Perform Shamisen 0VP 1CR | 7k4 ⇒ 42

[Mirumoto Jinkan]

For the Scorpion:

Poetry for Art Show.

Falling snowflakes melt,
On blood freshly drawn on white
An honorable end.

(D7, Art for Scorpion Show, Artisan:Poetry/Awareness, TN15, 4k3 | 4k3 ⇒ 19 (TN: 15))

[Agasha Sanjuro]

Sanjuro stood in the Scorpion section and affixed his creation to a stone tablet some 25 feet square.

His metal sculpture represented sanjura, a gift representing hope, honor, peace, and friendship

Metalwork for the Art Show | 5k4 ⇒ 28 (TN: 15)

[Agasha Sanjuro]

Sanjuro next stopped over to the Crab area where he left a metalwork pin for display that could suit any Crab family member's taste.
He called it simply "The Crab."

Metalwork for the Art Show | 5k4 ⇒ 22 (TN: 15)

[Jihen]

Among the displays there was a large calligraphy artwork featuring the kanji characters: 菊 (Chrysanthemum) in the center, surrounded by 鶴 (Crane), 龍(Dragon), 獅 (Lion), 蟹 (Crab), 鳳 (Phoenix), and 蠍 (Scorpion). Each of the outlying characters subtly touched the central character, but none of them touched one another.

Their positioning may cause some to recall similar depicitions of the five elements, but this obviously had one more. The style, however, would be reminiscent of other works similar to that of the five rings.

The calligraphy was most beautifully done on high-quality paper and with high quality ink. It would hopefully impress upon the mind a feeling of unity and oneness between all through the center...

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D8 EE, Calligraphy/Int, 4 Raises, VP | 10k8 ⇒ 41 (TN: 35)

[Doji Shinnosuke]

After her disastrous intervention into Lion schooling earlier in the day, Minase was now back on firmer ground. The firmest ground of all maybe.

Her piece was placed in the area reserved for art evoking the spirit of the Dragon Clan. A pair of painted umbrellas. One with exquisite art of a snowy mountaintop, the other a representation of the High House of Light perhaps, but certainly a high altitude fastness of Togashi's followers if not that. They were placed at an angle towards each other and between them lay a simple incense burner in the sinuous shape of a dragon.

A tribute to the Dragon perhaps, but the Crane origin of the art shone through in technique, brush stroke and even choice of paints. It left most viewing it with a sense of calmness and solemnity.

Shinnosuke hasn't chosen to even try outshining Minase's masterwork. Nor does it seem tasteful to step on the heels of yesterday's theatrical production with an encore performance of the same art form. However, despite being intensely preoccupied with preparing the show, he has found a way to contribute to this exhibition: a mask from his collection, one of his own journeyman carving works.

Its features somewhere between human and draconic, picked out in the gold leaf that represents spiritual force, the mask is of the type used to play the Thunder Dragon, other of elemental dragons, and gods in dragon-like form. Though rather fierce and majestic in style, it's quite overshadowed by Minase's umbrella tableau; still, if one looks at it on its own, it's pretty skillfully fashioned.

src: https://nohmask21.com/eu/ikazuchi-sp.html

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D8 ME--(but probably made long beforehand?) Artisan:Masks/Awareness with a couple of Raises. Prodigy. Aggregate TN probably 25ish? | 7k4 ⇒ 39 (TN: 25)