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Post by Katayama Hiromoto on Mar 31, 2008 11:46:56 GMT -5
Konnichi-wa all, I couldn't help but smile when I read this thread.   ;D A number of years ago (approximately 20 of 'em...) a very good friend of mine was Knighted. His Knighting was held at a theater in old town Pasadena (California). At about lunch time Court was recessed so those not enduring their vigil could have lunch. Since the Hall was across the street from what was then a major mall, a bunch of us decided to "invade" the food court. While we were reading menu's, etc. a gentleman (another SCA Nihon-jin) approached me and asked in no uncertain terms "Are you a Knight?" referring to the katana I was wearing. Of course I responded that I wasn't and further that I wasn't wearing a white belt. To which he promptly stated very rudely "You can't wear that!!! Take it off!!!" and stomped off.... We weren't even on the event grounds.... Ah well... No accounting for taste I suppose. As a result of this person's "comments" I now very rarely attend Court, let alone courtly functions. Katayama
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Lash
New Member
perfection isnt an end result but a path to walk upon with your eyes closed.
Posts: 422
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Post by Lash on Mar 31, 2008 12:39:22 GMT -5
Well Katayama my friend you are welcome to attend any function in my camp ! I think I can scare up passable sake with maybe a clean cup for you ! |
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Post by Takeda Sanjuichiro on Mar 31, 2008 14:31:48 GMT -5
...but in all 3 I was publicly remonstrated for wearing my soul to court... Generally speaking while sometimes referred to as "the soul of the samurai" one would still call it a sword. "Peace bonding" is a modern(ish) practice and predominantly of western ideaology. There were times where a samurai might have tied their sword closed, but those are normally functional expedients to prevent it from sliding out unwanted, and by most accounts only done with wakazashi (the sole exception I can recall is a description of how to tie the hilt of the longsword securely while scaling a cliff) Secondly, while household practices are noble and good, a person might not know the meanings of such if they are not mmbers. However, their behaviour to you was offensive. If you ever get to the northern Virginia area, let me know -Takeda |
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Lash
New Member
perfection isnt an end result but a path to walk upon with your eyes closed.
Posts: 422
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Post by Lash on Mar 31, 2008 17:10:28 GMT -5
Sorry it is an old habit of calling it my soul I saved a long time to buy my sword .
I have put in hours of forms practice with it so it feels like a part of me now.
I never really thought about the binding aspect maybe i also need to be tolerant. Point taken !
I would be honored to visit you if I am in the area.
Domo Origato-Gozaimashita !!
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Post by Takeda Sanjuichiro on Mar 31, 2008 22:36:36 GMT -5
Sorry it is an old habit of calling it my soul I saved a long time to buy my sword. I have put in hours of forms practice with it so it feels like a part of me now. No problem, and those are admirable accomplishments My intention of pointing it out was that the direct substitution of sword for soul sounded fan-boyish; from the rest of your post, you came across as better informed than that. With how some of the English language martial arts books are written, I can see the ease one would think that. I felt it best to make you aware of the error. Tousando is a wonderful place, we have a large number of participants; some are noted experts in various fields of Japanese studies. We also have an impressive collection of people who are on their way to being the same. From my own perspective, more and more often I find myself refraining to reply because I feel I cannot adequately contribute to a thread. (which gets me up off my butt to learn more and is a very good thing) Look forward to more posts from you -Takeda |
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Post by Katayama Hiromoto on Mar 31, 2008 23:30:01 GMT -5
Well Katayama my friend you are welcome to attend any function in my camp ! I think I can scare up passable sake with maybe a clean cup for you ! Should you find yourself at a war in Caid, please feel free to drop by the Fifth Brigade camp. I'll warm sake. Katayama |
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Post by marten on Aug 7, 2008 16:24:49 GMT -5
I recently committed a faux pas, wearing my daisho in court. Antir has a "no blades at court" protocol, but I am loath to leave my swords lying about unattended. How do you handle this in your reenactment? Artemisian custom is to award new Armigers with both a letter A the same as the Kings Chain of Office and a dagger is belted on as well with the explanation that you are now entitled to bear steel in the Royal Presence. When in Japanese persona I always wear my wakizashi. |
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Post by dianet on Aug 7, 2008 16:37:17 GMT -5
Katayama-dono, As a former member of Caid, one Qara Unegen by name, I hope that your encounter with this... person... didn't keep you from having fun at other events int he Kingdom. The 5th Birgade is a very honorable fighting unit and should be commended. *grinning evilly* I only wish we could have met while I still lived int he Kingdom, as it is, I now live in Ansteorra and am working hard at making a new set of armor for my new persona. |
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Post by Katayama Hiromoto on Aug 7, 2008 22:38:01 GMT -5
The 5th Birgade is a very honorable fighting unit and should be commended. *grinning evilly* We can hold our own... Even if there are only two samurai in the unit...  ;D Hime, should you find yourself in the vicinity of Caid at some point (or maybe that Estrella place come February) please feel free to let me know. I will gladly warm a cup of sake in your honour. Now back to work on the armour!!! Katayama |
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Post by dianet on Aug 8, 2008 2:04:55 GMT -5
Yes Mom!!! Soon as I finish this book that has to be released in September, MOM... *joking joking* hehehe
And if you see Legion in the near future, tell them Q says HI!
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Post by Tatsuyama Hideyoshi on Aug 9, 2008 20:08:38 GMT -5
Ok....i been reading this thread and got myself an opinion of it all.... we who are samurai must be ready at ALL times to defend our leige.... It seemed to me that court in medieval japan had different views of the subject from eurocourts. Seems alot of pics that i have seen of Samurai around THERE Daimyo/shogun/whatever were always armed and ready to fight. Now i can understand things being different for a VISITOR to the area/kingdom/whatever.... But for those entrusted with the safety of life and lands (Samurai) it just dont feel right to me that takeing off the sword at court is done.
If the king demands it then so be it i suppose....
I mean really.... They FIGHT beside us but when they got there fancies on we shall not show the face of war? Isnt that how they got onto the cushioned tall chair to begin with..because of there weapons?
IDK...seems silly to me.....i think i derailed there....me sowwies.
Yoshi
(Sometimes confused and addled...but still big and luvable)
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Post by dianet on Aug 9, 2008 20:29:02 GMT -5
Not really.
If you remember correctly, we are all of noble birth according to the general accepted notion in the SCA. *Yeah, I may have gotten the wording wrong, but you get the idea* So we are entitled to wear our swords.
However, should there come a time when you are called before court, or if there is a court that you may be called in front of.. May I suggest consulting with either the Herald or the personal Guard of said Royal and explain your situation before hand?
Having been a Baronial Guard, AND Captain of the Baronial Guard for two baronesses, I have a tiny inkling of things in that direction. If someone had come up to me and said, "My persona is Samurai and that I cannot in good concience, remove my blades." I would suggest the removing of the blade and carrying it in the right hand as indicated in an earlier post. Another suggestion would be to peace knot the weapon. Then I'd have a quiet word with whomever I'm guarding, explaining what would be happening.
But that's just me. I've actually done my guard duty to my Baroness carrying nothing but an Oak staff. Which makes some of them nervous. *evil grin*
But yea, I think having a word with whomever is in charge of the Court proceedings would be the best course of action and maybe there could be a compromise for this sort of situation.
But that's just me.
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Post by Tatsuyama Hideyoshi on Aug 9, 2008 21:53:37 GMT -5
i can be compromiseal (is that a word?) as long as the other side atleast tries to meet me 1/3 of the way. ;D
Yoshi
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Post by dianet on Aug 9, 2008 23:16:36 GMT -5
Just agree to negotiate what will work and what wont. I'm sure you guys can come up with something that will be spiff.
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Post by Please Delete on Aug 10, 2008 18:17:08 GMT -5
I was initially of the opinion that one does not remove the sword. I've since changed that opinion. If you are 'working', you keep your sword, but if you are simply attending to your lord in court, then you have no need to have your sword with you, in the same way that you don't get to bring a gun with you into a speech by the US president (or any other head of state), no matter how much you say you are there to protect them. In fact, if you go inside a building, you should take your long sword off. Keep the wakizashi or tanto, but remove your long sword. You would carry it in your hand--preferably your right if you want to be peaceful--or just put it down somewhere safe that you could come back for it. If you are entering court, you can remove it and set it down in the back of the hall or near where you are sitting, before approaching. Most importantly: if I am going to serve their majesties in some capacity, even if it is just by being a loyal subject, then I am bound to follow their rules, even if it conflicts with my own ideas of 'sensible'. Also, if I am 'working' this might be a different story. When you are taking part in official business you may have a reason to wear a sword. Furthermore, it is the rules of the court that you have to follow, not the whim of some joe-blow off the street, knight or not. If a knight asked me to remove my swords because I do not have a white belt, I'd ask him for what reason, and I'd probably then go get it verified. A sword is *not* part of the restricted knightly regalia in any version I have seen, and I've not heard of any Kingdom that's made it so. Even the entitlement to wear a sword in court having to do with holding an AoA or greater seems to be a flexible piece of inter-kingdom anthropology to me. Okay, enough of my blithering. -Ii |
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