I had a wonderful time at KWAR this Saturday. Though I didn't have a chance to attend any of the classes offered, I enjoyed working/watching the tasks that happen "behind scenes". I was unfamiliar with the procedures of the Lincoln Signet, which is the officer for the Midlands Region in charge of collecting and preparing the award/scrolls that will be given out during court. My friend and fellow Canton member, Hillary of Langeforde, recently accepted this position and allowed me to watch some of the processes and explained the other responsibilities of the office that happen prior to the day of the event. It gave me a better understanding and greater appreciation for all the efforts that are made in order for court to proceed with ease. The evening was especially great. I had been in communication with Mistress Sarafina Sinclair, who had asked me to consider an Apprenticeship with her. We had another chance to meet during the event, where I informally but officially accepted her offer over drinks and merriment. Court was to begin shortly after, where my presence was requested by their Majesties. It was unusual and most amusing for me as the populace applauded my presence, which came after many other individuals had be called upon that were not in attendance. I can only assume the populace was merely happy that someone showed up. It was announced that I was to receive the Award of the Purple Fret. I was delighted by the many kind words both Their Majesties bestowed upon me, while in their presence. I was especially thrilled that King Dag expressed his gratitude in my native language, with a simple "Doumoarigatougozaimasu." In midst of the moment, I briefly lost my language skills. But I regained my composure, bowed respectfully with proper response. "Douitashimashite." As much as I might appreciate Their Majesties, I understand that many of our societies' awards are determined by the recommendations submitted by members of the populace. Thank you very much to those that felt I was worthy of such award and took the time to submit your recommendations. I received a wonderful scroll and a pewter medallion, with the blazon of the purple fret. Initial thanks went out to Master Etienne le Couteau des Roches for the medallion, but he mentioned this particular medallion was casted by someone else, using his mold. My apologies that your name escapes me, but thank you to the maker of my new medallion. It is beautiful. To Kara Atladottir for her work on my award scroll, thank you for providing me with a great piece of artwork. It will eventually be framed, though I really want to frame the comment you left for me on the back, more than anything. And a special thank you to the gracious Lord who offered his escort for my award acceptance. I did not have a chance to be properly introduced but I thank you for your service, as my Lord was not able to attend.
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I took a break last year from teaching at Pennsic. But this year I'm back at it with a full load of classes, at least for me. I tend to like to be a spectator at Pennsic but I've been encourage to get back in the classroom. Below are the courses I will be offering this year.
Wednesday, August 1st - 1:00PM Not Without Your Kosode! - AS 07 Essential garment for every Japanese persona, course includes overview of kosode and its uses throughout medieval history. Bring paper, pencil and tape measure (calculator optional) to participate in the custom pattern construction. Wednesday, August 1st - 3:00PM Hakama For The Anglo Saxon - AS 10 Course includes overview of hakama (Japanese pant) and its uses throughout medieval history. Bring paper, pencil and tape measure (calculator optional) to participate in the custom pattern construction. Friday, August 3rd - 12:00PM Happy Japanese Games - AS 02 Course will review three Japanese games of leisure with a portion of class dedicated to game play. Saturday, August 4th - 3:00PM Known World Courtesans Social - Private Camp 1st Annual Social for Courtesans and those interested in courtesan history. Activities will include a discussion forum, refreshments, talent exhibition (guest participation encouraged) and special entertainment. Feast Tokens | Fox Hunt 2011 It has been many, many months since my last entry and of course much has past. This past year, I took on my first attempt as Event Steward for the Canton's Fox Hunt event for 2011. I was encouraged by my peers to do a Japanese theme for that year. It was a tough start for me since our usual event site was already booked for our available event dates, so the hunt for a new site became the focus of event planning. A site was eventually found. A beautiful place that was fairy centrally located, but the layout caused some problems for event flow. Of course it was not all doom and despair. It was fun to have the opportunity to educate my fellow populace on Japanese culture. The Canton members even put forth the extra effort to make their own garments to wear for the event, after a small lecture I gave for the group on Japanese fashions. I personally had fun putting together the nobori (Japanese banners) and the feast tokens. We gave out paper fans of the Canton's colors as a site token. It was a warm and humid day, I'm sure the fans came in handy. The day concluded with a feast of grand illusion. We adorned our guests with an authentic Japanese meal, complete with decorative banners of Japanese calligraphy, ikebana flower arrangements, table settings with proper eating utensils and traditional music. Arigatougozaimasu to my Feast Steward, Lady Kara Atladottir, for taking on the great task of researching and creating an unbelievable menu. Photo Taken By Eva Schultz As an added level to the atmosphere, we asked The Honorable Lord Kuji Kaoni Musashi to be our cultural advisor throughout the evening, to help inform our guests of proper table edicate and proceedures, and to perform his feets of magic during our final moments of the evening. My gratitude to THL Kuji for his assistance and for his Kyodo demonstration earlier in the day. And my gratitude to Lady Heather. She was my right-hand man all day and kept me sane. I cannot say enough good things about my Canton. They are a helpful, hardworking, efficient group as a whole. If a task needed to be done, they had it covered before I could ask. At the end of the day, I was so impressed at how prompt tear-down and clean-up happened. They're amazing! That event could not have happened without them. Walls For EZ-Up Pennsic came shortly before the event. I always seem to sum up my time at Pennsic the same way every year...It was Pennsic. There is always fun-times. There is always bad-times. And something always gets damaged. At least this past year no one went to the emergency room. Pennsic is typically the one-time of year I get to see long-distance friends. Oddly enough it's also the one-time of year I get to see even some of my local friends, due to schedules. Lady Celeste and I attended a roundtable on Courtesans, hosted by Lady Lalitadasa. It was wonderful to meet other ladies interested in Courtesan history and portrayal, so much so that we're planning a Courtesan social for this coming year. Details are still being polished at this time. Surprisingly it was a slow year for the typical rushed Pennsic projects. The only large project I had to do was sew together temporary walls for a EZ-Up tent, since Kuji's son did not have a tent for this year. In future months I will design a new cover for the entire frame to make it look more like a Japanese style pavilion. Our camp hosted its annual sake party again, which has been renamed Bon Festival since we've branched out into more activities beside sake. We had a wonderful turnout. Brian, who always does a wonderful job, was back again this year as our bar tender. There was a good variety of treats to snack on, including miso and udon noodle soup! The Honorable Lady Elaine Ladd kept the hot noodles coming and Lord Ottokar made an awesome dashi (broth) over the camp fire. Many of our guest we're pleased to have hot food and drink on a cold, damp night. The seats around the Go board were never empty and neither were the seats around the campfire, especially during Kuji's traditional story-telling of the Cattle Raid and his newest adventures with the Lightening Gods. We're looking forward to next Pennsic, since this will be the year for camp upgrades. We're planning to have jinmaku (Japanese encampment walls) and possibly a new Torii gate. My 23 Scroll Cases The fall and winter months are a quiet time for me. I am typically focused on other projects during this season. But I did take on a new role as the Midlands Regional Webminister in September 2011. My first act was giving the website a facelift. It had been many years since it was overhauled. Now that the basic changes have been done, I am planning another overhaul soon. With the assistance of our Regional Seneschal, The Honorable Lady Caitriona MacDhonnachaidh, we're restructuring how the site will be laid out and function as a information hub for the Midlands Populace. You can see the website in its current form at http://www.midrealm.org/midlandsweb/. I enjoy helping where I can and when I can, and there was a recent challenge set out to the Middle Kingdom populace to produce as many scrolls and scroll blanks as possible to donate to their Majesties to help fill the need for award scrolls. I did have the time to complete as much as I would have liked to, but I contributed 23 scroll cases to the cause. When it was time to present all the scroll blanks and cases, there were a total of 270 scroll blanks and cases to present to their Majesties. Our Barony of Ayreton of course turned in the most, totally 150 scroll blanks and 160 scroll cases. Our Barony Rules! |