It's been a while: letter from Asahina Hoshiko to Yasuki Masaki

[Asahina Hoshiko]

*ping*

Thin, pale blue paper is folded in a way as to be a little bit of a puzzle to unfold, scented with yuzu. The folds are well done, everything crisp and tidy, leaving an abstract flying crane shape defined by the center folds once open. The calligraphy is tidy and fills the paper precisely.

To my cousin-in-service to the kami, greetings Yasuki-san,

As word has spread of the confirmed attendees to this year's Imperial winter court, I was pleased to see you among them. There are few enough trained among the Asahina that it's always a treat to catch up with them wherever they may show up.

I recall a quiet, girl; perhaps a bit old to be called girl with the other young trainees, but coming into her gifts well enough. Obviously, you have grown into more if you've secured this invitation. There's a story there I imagine? I hope you will accept an offer to join me for tea and share it.

Are you still settled near the sea? Or have your duties moved you inland for good? Or...save all the answers for court, we'll be chatting plenty, I'm sure. Let us make sure to have all the interesting things out before we find ourselves stuck in one of the inevitable court dramas where we need to be publicly upset with one another, neh?

May the wind be ever helpful,

Hoshiko of House Yamata of the Asahina
<stamped with chop of same>

[Yasuki Masaki]

A very Crane letter

The answer comes in a relatively simple piece of kozo paper, folded in the shape of a crab, but a *much* simpler one than Hoshiko's. The scent of star anise can be felt when the crab is unfolded and opened, and inside Hoshiko will find a small, delicate, pink-coloured sakura flower made of interwoven coloured straw. The calligraphy is pretty, if not particularly ornate.

Honoured cousin-in-schooling Asahina no Yamata Hoshiko-san,

I hope the northern winds have been kind to you as I remember they always were as the gusts from the north grows chilly. I know I was similarly pleased when the breeze brought word of your name among those in this year's Imperial Court. I'm afraid the story on my side may not be as entertaining as would befit a meeting for tea after quite some time, but if Asahina-san will indulge me with stories of your own growth to a Winter Court delegate since we last met, I will be glad to tell it.

The last year has seen me most often in Asahina and Yasuki lands - so reasonably close to home, and near the sea in a way, although not quite by it. You may remember my house's own lands aren't quite *at* the coast, either, rather mostly at the riverside as it travels towards the sea - perhaps one reason why I feel paths and transitions call to me.

I seem to remember these were themes Yamata-san was also often drawn to - I imagine that is still the case? Although I get ahead of myself, that might be one of the topics best left for the early days court - before we have to put on airs other than those we're used to, ne?

Oh! When I last visited Asahina Shinden some months ago there were other interesting words fluttering in the wind - it seems that Asahina-san has taken your rituals further into artistic directions? Or... I suppose it's also something best talked about over tea. But I would be happy to hear more about that, and maybe exchange ideas if you would be willing. Before drama sets in, of course!

May the weather be gentle until we next meet,

Kindly,

Yasuki-ke no kashin Kawagoi Masaki
<chop>

[Asahina Hoshiko]

<snip>

A gentle blue-grey paper with darker fiber inclusions scattered throughout, folded into a curving fish shape, a few inclusions cleverly incorporated to suggest scales. It holds within, a single bright gold ginko leaf, playfully hinting at a folktale about a fish that swallowed a golden ring that through a remarkable set of coincidences found its way back to the person who had lost the ring. It is simple enough to unfold.

Yasuki no Kawagoi Masaki-san

There are years of stories to share, and I've ever found the winds interesting, even when they were harsh. Some sorrows, as fall into everyone's lives, of course, only strengthening my interest in, as you mention, those transitions, in smoothing paths. It's good to know there will be meetings to look forward to that are not all about the work of the season.

A few ri from the coast may as well be a hut on the beach once you're as far inland as we'll be heading. After a few years of these seasoning courts through our lands and up among my Doji cousins, I can tell you the difference is notable. The storms aren't the same, no hint of salt on the winds that run ahead of them. And the winds are different when they haven't come from days and weeks out over the sea. But I'm looking forward to meeting the River. It has to be almost as different from our little streams as the ocean is, don't you think? It's a path for far more lives, certainly.

As for my own path, your breezes speak true. I spent a long season studying ways that art may touch upon spirit, how craft can encourage the attention of the kami and of our ancestors in ways that can bolster our living spirits in key moments. I have a great deal to learn of the way destiny twines through us all to best set such things into the world. But it was an excellent focus for my energies.

I see by your charming gift, that you have not been idle in artistic directions either! We hear so little of Crab artistic endeavors, given how much energy must be devoted to other priorities, I imagine. I look forward to hearing more of your journeys in that direction when we meet.

Fortunes favor find you,

Hoshiko of House Yamata of the Asahina
<stamped with chop of same>