New-ish in Chicago

[Anarchopunk]

Greetings all.

My apologies for the intrusion of this message, but this seemed the most appropriate place.

I am looking to get going again at this in the Chicago area. I had been introduced to it by a friend, but that whole arrangement fell apart (he injured his back, and could no longer fight).

I had met Nissan Maxima at the U of Chicago practices, and once traveled to Rockford. All those I met about the specifics of Japanese persona were quite helpful, especially Nissan-sama who graciously and patiently let me pick his brain for the details of armor construction.

I am in the Chicago area (specifically, I am in Lake County IL, so southern border of Wisconsin is close enough.). Weapons and armor I seem to have decently squared away. What I'm looking for is advice on good practices to attend (U of Chicago is a little far; and some, though not all, seemed put off by my desire to portray a non-shield using Japanese persona), and if there are any local groups or households I should consider. My primary interest is in heavy combat and weapons and armor construction.

Again, I apologize if this was not the appropriate place for this. I will shortly begin posting photos of completed and in progress weapons and armor.

Brian

[Saionji Shonagon]

Welcome.

Not in your kingdom, but their website may be the place to start:
www.midrealm.org/seneschallorum/index.phtml#Midlands

I believe Wisconsin is currently part of the Kingdom of Northshield.

[Anarchopunk]

Wisconsin would have to be the southern end; and more northerly than Kenosha or Racine is unlikely.

And thank you.

[Yawata Saburou Tadamori]

I will contact Sir Ixtilixtochitl in that area and find out where he goes for practice

[Anarchopunk]

Thank you!

Is Nissan Maxima still active in the area? I've been out a while...

[Yawata Saburou Tadamori]

Sir Ix said that your local practice is "Glenbrook North", and that you are in the Shire of Ravenslake. Their website has more info on specific locations.

He has also informed me that Nissan-dono is still active in the western suburbs of Chicago, but is currently very busy practicing for Battle of the Nations (he is one of a couple midrealm knights competing on the US team). Sir Ix also said that he would love to meet you at an event sometime. He will be the one wearing the panther suit.

[Anarchopunk]

Alas, my understanding is that the Glenbrook North HS practice is on Tuseday nights. Which I currently work open to close at my dead-end job.

I had heard that Sir Ix is quite easy to spot.

Thank you again for the help. I may be stuck with the drive to University of Chicago on Sundays, at least until I get a new job.

And again, I would like to mention how incredibly helpful and friendly everyone is here at Tousando.

[Yawata Saburou Tadamori]

We do what we can to be, thank you for noticing.

[Anarchopunk]

I have managed to get Tuesday nights off (hooray), so I shall make my way to Glenbrook North as soon as I can afford some hand protection.

On a different note: I am looking to begin work on a persona. My gear is looking kind of Sengoku at the moment. I was thinking going monastic warrior (sohei, if you will) or ronin seeking daimyo. I can't bring myself to claim higher status than that.

Further, I have some characteristics that may make persona issue a little thornier. Personally, I am vegan and straight edge; should I play these up as monastic vows, or ignore them? Also, I have a lot of tattoos (120+ hours); sleeves, back, chest, legs below the knee. This isn't one or two; this is the defining aspect of my appearance.

While I know that I can claim to be whatever the hell I want (no one expects samurai to get the haircut...), would I get a better reception by embracing these features, or by downplaying them?

Any advice on either of these options? Suggestions?

Again, thanks in advance.

[bovil]

Apr 17, 2012 9:28:00 GMT -5 Anarchopunk said:

On a different note: I am looking to begin work on a persona. My gear is looking kind of Sengoku at the moment. I was thinking going monastic warrior (sohei, if you will) or ronin seeking daimyo. I can't bring myself to claim higher status than that.

Well, there's plenty of documentation supporting the existence and activities of sohei and yamabushi pre-1600. And it's not like soehei and yamabushi didn't ever achieve rank, so if you earned awards and recognition it would still make sense.

Further, I have some characteristics that may make persona issue a little thornier. Personally, I am vegan and straight edge; should I play these up as monastic vows, or ignore them?

Well, sohei and yamabushi were Buddhist warrior-monks, so vegetarianism and refraining from alcohol and drugs could be in character. Some sects were more ascetic and strict than others. Asceticism isn't a core tenet of Buddhism in the general sense, it's actually against the guiding principle of moderation, but it's not like Buddhism didn't change in transmission to suit the cultures practicing it.

Also, I have a lot of tattoos (120+ hours); sleeves, back, chest, legs below the knee. This isn't one or two; this is the defining aspect of my appearance.

You're putting on clothing and portraying a medieval Japanese person. Are you Japanese-American? Are you worried about not being Japanese-American?

A cursory search suggests that decorative tattoos in Japanese society were an Edo-period development, so it's not something likely to fit into any Japanese SCA persona.

(Yes, there are pre-Nara decorative tattoo traditions, but those were wiped out by the wholesale adoption of T'ang culture, and there are punishment tattoos in the interim, but I'm guessing that isn't a direction you want to go or a style your tattoos reflect.)

While it would be difficult to physically mask the tattoos (I have a friend who does very serious historical costume, and she has makeup that covers her extensive tattoos when she does it) I wouldn't worry. Most folks understand that modern tattoos and body mods are modern and permanent, and think around them.

If someone trots out that only criminals have extensive tattoos in Japan, that's a modern phenomenon (well, post-1600). If someone just makes a negative comment in general, ask them to stop speaking modern English and switch to their persona's language. Like that's easy to change accurately, even if it's early modern English.

In persona, "Tattoos? What tattoos?"

[Please Delete]

Regarding tattoos, etc.--it is up to you. People have blonde or red hair and still have Japanese personas. I have blue eyes. I don't try to hide it and I don't incorporate it, and it doesn't really matter.

Tattoo art in period, from what I have seen, had a fairly large stigma against it, and was often a way to mark criminals (though those were specific tattoos) which is probably why tattoo art, in general, came to be associated with criminal organizations. It will be hard to work that into an historical persona that would fit in the SCA, but you could try. I wouldn't worry about it, one way or the other, though--people are more likely to be informed by their modern feelings towards tattoos than their historical ideas.

Eating vegan is something you can incorporate into your persona, and it doesn't have to be about religious vows. It could be simple piety. After all, Buddhism teaches not to kill any thing, and it is the degree to which that is followed by different adherents that changes, but certainly a no fish, flesh, or fowl interpretation would be historically consistent. That is up to you.

Good luck, and welcome!


-Ii

[Ishida Kentarou Mitsumasa]

When I joined the SCA, I was eating vegan and I had red hair. I still have red hair. Generally people commented once about me eating rabbit food or something, then made one amused remark about an Irish samurai, then just let everything go.

Past a certain point, it's all about how you sell yourself. We call Lady Gaga by that name because she sells it, and that's a lot harder to pull off than getting people in a reenactment group to call you by a historical name. I'm sure you'll be just fine.

[Yawata Saburou Tadamori]

Besides, not looking japanese but having that persona makes for some GREAT schtick.
A very good friend of mine in this area that has a japanese persona proposed to his now fiancee in court. The woman's father went up in front of the king and asked if he could trust the proposee, as he said he was japanese, but looked much more like a saracen.
It was an amazing display, and hilarious because of his appearance vs. his persona. You just have to play it right.

[Anarchopunk]

Apr 17, 2012 19:47:13 GMT -5 bovil said:

You're putting on clothing and portraying a medieval Japanese person. Are you Japanese-American? Are you worried about not being Japanese-American?

A cursory search suggests that decorative tattoos in Japanese society were an Edo-period development, so it's not something likely to fit into any Japanese SCA persona.

(Yes, there are pre-Nara decorative tattoo traditions, but those were wiped out by the wholesale adoption of T'ang culture, and there are punishment tattoos in the interim, but I'm guessing that isn't a direction you want to go or a style your tattoos reflect.)

While it would be difficult to physically mask the tattoos (I have a friend who does very serious historical costume, and she has makeup that covers her extensive tattoos when she does it) I wouldn't worry. Most folks understand that modern tattoos and body mods are modern and permanent, and think around them.

If someone trots out that only criminals have extensive tattoos in Japan, that's a modern phenomenon (well, post-1600). If someone just makes a negative comment in general, ask them to stop speaking modern English and switch to their persona's language. Like that's easy to change accurately, even if it's early modern English.

In persona, "Tattoos? What tattoos?"

I love the idea of demanding they address any concerns of historical inaccuracy in the language of their persona. My original idea was to simply shin-kick anyone who gave me grief. Kidding, obviously.

No, I'm not Japanese, either. Good point. My concern with the ink was it's a lot. I'm not 'the guy with some tattoos'; I'm 'the tattooed guy'.

On the diet choices, I had considered it as an expression of piety by a layman; wasn't sure how hard to play that.

I'll probably worry about the persona later. Get my kit in order, and see if there's anything around that I fit with. Let that dictate my persona choices.

I could always be that dreaded 'wicked monk' the kuge were always in a tizzy about.

[Saionji Shonagon]

Apr 18, 2012 11:33:39 GMT -5 Anarchopunk said:

No, I'm not Japanese, either.

Most of us aren't. Most of the Japanese and Japanese-Americans I know in the SCA have European personae and nobody takes issue with that, or with the African American lady I know with a male Norse persona.

Good point. My concern with the ink was it's a lot. I'm not 'the guy with some tattoos'; I'm 'the tattooed guy'.

Much of it will be covered by your clothing/armor. In this day and age you're more likely to get a reaction of "Nice ink, let me see more!" from a lot of people anyway.

I could always be that dreaded 'wicked monk' the kuge were always in a tizzy about.

Oh, those uppity Mount Hiei monks! Always fomenting disruption and up to no good whatsoever when they should be chanting sutras! (This is me, having a tizzy for your entertainment.)