Happy New Year to all! And with the new year, brings new ideas and new goals. Besides exploring my curiosity in vast areas of Japanese arts, my goal this year is to offer more opportunities of education to the populace of this known world. It is my hope to journey frequently, and further out into new lands to explore and convey the beauty of Nihon. To start the new year properly, this month I will travel both to the Canton of Tree-Girt-Sea and the Shire of Würm Wald with ideas of fashions and games. My friends and fellow nihonjin, if you will be in attendance, please join me in new meetings, fond reunions and good tidings. Twelfth Night – L’Arte dell’ Italia Happy Japanese Games - 10:30AM | Three leisure games of Medieval Japan are discussed. Reproductions of each game will be presented and available to play during class. May not be appropriate for small children; some game pieces can be a choking hazard. Length: 1:30-2 Hr. Kosode Construction - 1:00PM | An essential garment in every Nihonjin wardrobe! We’ll discuss construction of this robe, based on a museum example from the Muromachi period. The predecessor to the kimono, the kosode was worn by both men and women throughout most of Japanese history. Visual garment examples will be presented, along with a review of the garment construction handout given during the class. Time will be Donation for materials appreciated. Length: 1:30-2 Hr. The Festival of Maidens XLI: Ride of the Valkyries Hakama Construction - 1:00PM | A brief overview of Japanese pants will be discussed, along with a presentation of garment examples and a walkthrough of the garment instructions handout given during class. Time will be allotted for Q&A. 20 Handouts available, donations appreciated! Length: 2 Hr. Happy Japanese Games - 3:00PM | Three leisure games of Medieval Japan are discussed. Reproductions of each game will be presented and available to play during class. Fees: Donations appreciated! Age Limit: May not be appropriate for small children; some game pieces can be a choking hazard. Class size: No limit, only 20 handouts available. Length: 1 Hr.
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At this time last year, the Canton of Foxvale was discussing plans of making coordinating tabards. Foxvale is known locally for its service, especially when it comes to serving feast at other group’s events. Two events were coming up that called for a little special detail, so we intended to adorn the colors of our Canton as we served during these occasions. Once we agreed on the idea, we were on the hunt for fabrics to complete our plan. Baroness Nadezda ze Zastrizl of Ayreton heard of our intentions and offered us materials that the Barony no longer needed. Fighting tabards of blue and green were gifted to our Canton from the Barony, but unfortunately these could not be repurposed for our project. We moved forward with our project, finding the appropriate materials and creating our serving tabards in-time to present at the events. Meanwhile the fighting tabards simply sat in storage. Such a wasteful use of material is unacceptable. Something had to be done. With the cold winter upon us, I use this time to reclaim the materials given to us. It seemed best to re-purpose this material into something all of Foxvale could enjoy. So with a little patching, these old Baronial tabards have become a tablecloth for our Canton. The cloth fits a table of three by six feet comfortably. It could be useful during times when we sit at feast or when fundraisers are presented. I’m sure it will find its usefulness somewhere, and just in time for the New Year. I find myself in the lands of Gleann Abhann. Upon arrival in the Kingdom, I was invited to attend a Christmas Revel in the Barony of Axemoor. I was interested but, since it was not a part of the travel plans, was not prepared with the proper attire to attend. So I sent word back home to have my garments sent forward and agreed to attend. I don't prefer to have down-time while at an event, so I offered to teach a class on kosode construction. This apparently came at a good time, as the class coordinator informed me that they had some cancellations and could fill some of the empty slots with my class. Several days passed and it was now the day before the event. In the midst of preparation, I received word from home that my garments would not make it in time. After a few small private fits on my part, the scrambled quest began of finding garments that I could wear. Lady Johanna Merryngton was kind enough to take up the task of finding a garment for me, but unfortunately had no success. I even considered rummaging through my Lords garments for something to wear, but hard to do if there is only one set of clothing between the two of us. By the end of the evening, I was still empty handed. It seems true that at your worst moments is when you have a stroke of genius. I gathered up the bed linens, some pins and a length of cord, and produced the finest garment I could create in the early hours of the morning. The morning of the event came too soon. But we gathered ourselves and began the day. No sooner that I made my way through the doors; it was time to teach my class. It was uncommonly cold in the Barony of Axemoor, causing a slow start to the day. I expected that my class may be overlooked due to the small morning attendance, but within little time there were good gentles looking to take the class. I had a wonderful time teaching. It was a small group, but that always makes for an interesting discussion. More time can be spent asking specific questions on the subject, rather than simply running through the planned information. This was especially important this time since I had a newcomer in my class, a newcomer to the SCA and interested in Japanese persona. I enjoy it when this happens because I can give that person a head start on their research. It can be difficult to find information on the culture you are interested in, especially if it is not a more common persona choice. Having an individual who can guide you in the right direction at the start of your journey can be a great relief. Feeling under the weather, I retired to a quiet corner to rest while my Lord finished presenting his classes on the history of magic and the introduction to conjuring. It was our initial intent to take our leave after obligations were met, but Lady Johanna insisted that we stay for feast. So in the down time before feast, I sat and made a pair of zori (Japanese sandals) made of cloth in the colors of the Kingdom. I was informed that they were in need of largess for children. Since their Majesties hail from Nihon, I thought it might be a pleasure for them to receive an item from our homeland. So a pair of children's size 4 zori were made and presented to their Majesties during feast. It was an absolute joy to meet them. I hope we have a chance to cross paths in the future. It is rare to meet other Nihonjin in the SCA, let alone a Shogun. Our meeting with their Majesties was only a small portion of feast. Much of our time was spent in the good company of Lady Johanna and her family. Many stories and laughs were shared, even some at my expense as I became the target of my Lord's drink from across the table. A mere accident of course, simply not accustom to the style of drinking vessel Lady Johanna provided for the evening. Even still much enjoyment was had and shortly after feast, we took our leave. If I find myself in the Barony at this time in the coming years, I hope to be able to return for their Christmas Revel...properly prepared. |