(D5, EM) Last Rei of the Day

[Doji Utemaro]

"Ahh, that does explain the, thus far somewhat successful, attempts of the Clan of Secrets to make carrion an artform. I'm not sure it recommends them as appropriate stewards of this event though." For the moment, she does not mention that a Clan known for pacifism and piety might offer a welcome respite from such things. She's already pushed that cause a bit harder than was wise today.

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D5 Mudslining in thread with Utemaro. Vs. Otoko. Games: Sadane/Awareness TN 20 | 5k4 ⇒ 48

Utemaro's eyes widened a bit at the use of the word 'carrion'.

"Ah...it would seem Kakita Hyoukasha-san's assessment was correct. Truly a meal no one can enjoy." he agreed.

Though for Courtesy's sake he was going to ignore Nadeshiko's enjoyment of the meal.

[Horiuchi Sriyani]

"There were so many non-offensive dishes he could have chosen..." She shakes her head setting the unfortunate display aside.

"Kakita Hyoukasha-san and his wife...how did they come to judge the event?" she asks both out of curiosity and as a change of topic. "I'll have joined the Phoenix, who may host the next competition, by this time next year. So the process is of interest."

[Doji Utemaro]

"There were so many non-offensive dishes he could have chosen..." She shakes her head setting the unfortunate display aside.

"Kakita Hyoukasha-san and his wife...how did they come to judge the event?" she asks both out of curiosity and as a change of topic. "I'll have joined the Phoenix, who may host the next competition, by this time next year. So the process is of interest."

Utemaro nods.

"Ah they were both suggested by the head of the Kakita Artisan Academy. Kyoukasha-san has earned a great deal of glory for his sensei as a talented playwright and his wife is known for her sharp wit and her genuine artistic talent. It is, certainly, a daunting task given the great variety of artistic styles on display. We had considered a more diverse panel of judges from a broader field of artistic merits, but it was feared that such a panel would spend days arguing with itself over each piece. While Hyoukasha-san and Akuba-san are not always in agreement, they have learned over the years how to come to accord quite quickly." he explained.

[Horiuchi Sriyani]

"I can see a committee having some difficulties reaching a decision, yes. I don't really envy them the difficulty of it," she says, glancing around at the dizzying variety of art in the gallery. "I imagine their fame offers them some political power too. And maybe a bit of insulation if any of the artisans with powerful families feel snubbed."

"Speaking of them, were all of the artists chosen by their own clans, or were any invited directly to the tournament?"

[Doji Utemaro]

"I can see a committee having some difficulties reaching a decision, yes. I don't really envy them the difficulty of it," she says, glancing around at the dizzying variety of art in the gallery. "I imagine their fame offers them some political power too. And maybe a bit of insulation if any of the artisans with powerful families feel snubbed."

"Speaking of them, were all of the artists chosen by their own clans, or were any invited directly to the tournament?"

Utemaro nods.

"Similar to a winter court invitation, invitations were extended to the clans across the Empire through our connections, though we did get assistance from the throne." he admitted. "Though how the clans chose which individuals to send was up for them to determine."

He looked at her curiously.

"Might I ask how the Unicorn selected you to come to the tournament, Horiuchi-san? Clearly you belong, but I'd be interested in knowing more in how you came to be chosen." he follows up.

[Horiuchi Sriyani]

She takes a moment to think about it, winding the threads together of what she'd been told, and what she'd guessed. "My work'd already found a small audience beyond our clan, but is grounded in an art that is solidly of the Unicorn alone. I think that seemed a good way to showcase that we have our own traditions, not all of which are so open to the ridicule of those who still do not quite accept our status as part of the Empire."

Another pause, this one considering the leverage of speaking certain truths. "Hmm, also, that notice has seen me betrothed, away from the clan. No doubt the offer was hard to refuse and more than one of my station would otherwise gain them." It's a blunt sort of statement, and a bit rough in its invocation of the mercantile aspects of trading marriageable young samurai for other gains. "This sort of appointment..." she gestures to the collection, "might reset those negotiations a bit. Perhaps they'd even accept some of my work instead, freeing me up for the clan to make more use of."

[Doji Utemaro]

She takes a moment to think about it, winding the threads together of what she'd been told, and what she'd guessed. "My work'd already found a small audience beyond our clan, but is grounded in an art that is solidly of the Unicorn alone. I think that seemed a good way to showcase that we have our own traditions, not all of which are so open to the ridicule of those who still do not quite accept our status as part of the Empire."

Another pause, this one considering the leverage of speaking certain truths. "Hmm, also, that notice has seen me betrothed, away from the clan. No doubt the offer was hard to refuse and more than one of my station would otherwise gain them." It's a blunt sort of statement, and a bit rough in its invocation of the mercantile aspects of trading marriageable young samurai for other gains. "This sort of appointment..." she gestures to the collection, "might reset those negotiations a bit. Perhaps they'd even accept some of my work instead, freeing me up for the clan to make more use of."

Utemaro picked up on the Unicorn's tone.

"Well, negotiations in all things are not final until they are final." he allows. "A matchmaker hopes that Benten smiles upon all of their matches, but sometimes it is simply another way one must give their life for the clan. Rather than all at once at the edge of a blade, a little bit of every day feeling as though one is sitting on a knife's point."

He shook his head.

"There's little I can offer save to wish you the best of luck in the competition and negotiations, Horiuchi-san." he added, sympathizing.

[Horiuchi Sriyani]

She nods with a small smile. "Thank you, Doji-sama. I've been reasonably well acquainted with luck in the past, so we shall see how it holds up." There is a moment when it seems she is about to bow a polite farewell, but another moment's pause and she asks, "I assume you are married, Doji-sama? Any advice for artists heading into that state?"

[Doji Utemaro]

She nods with a small smile. "Thank you, Doji-sama. I've been reasonably well acquainted with luck in the past, so we shall see how it holds up." There is a moment when it seems she is about to bow a polite farewell, but another moment's pause and she asks, "I assume you are married, Doji-sama? Any advice for artists heading into that state?"

Utemaro folds his arms at the question in thought.

"It is a hard thing to give advice for such dissimilar situations without being irrelevant, cryptic, or so bland as to be worthless, but I shall try. Marriage does not define you and your partner, you and your partner define your marriage. Whether that's an environment where you love and support each other, you merely fulfill your most simple duties and live on opposite ends of the Empire, or a living hell where you both make each other more and more miserable each day. Together you will define this with your words and deeds. I would advice to at the very least go for the simple fulfillment of duty, and focus your energies on the people and things that bring you joy. You are only granted so many moments in this world, they should not be wasted on meaningless spite." he offered.

[Horiuchi Sriyani]

His words draw her eyes to Mikan's work. Not knowing the true arrangement, still the spite is obvious. And even if she thinks he deserves it, she finds herself saddened to contemplate making art out of spite day after day. Making a marriage may be more commerce than art, but the analogies work well enough. "That seems sound enough advice from my end of the journey," she says with a nod. "Maybe I can write to you someday after time on the road, and let you know if it could use some tweaking?"

"In any case, it's appreciated, Doji-sama. Thank you for your time, and conversation. Regardless of the outcome of all this, I'll remember my time here fondly."

[Doji Utemaro]

His words draw her eyes to Mikan's work. Not knowing the true arrangement, still the spite is obvious. And even if she thinks he deserves it, she finds herself saddened to contemplate making art out of spite day after day. Making a marriage may be more commerce than art, but the analogies work well enough. "That seems sound enough advice from my end of the journey," she says with a nod. "Maybe I can write to you someday after time on the road, and let you know if it could use some tweaking?"

"In any case, it's appreciated, Doji-sama. Thank you for your time, and conversation. Regardless of the outcome of all this, I'll remember my time here fondly."

Utemaro smiled gently.

"Then I have honored the Crane and their ways. i would look forward to such correspondence, Horiuchi-san." he said.

He offered a bow, the impromptu meeting winding to a close.

[Horiuchi Sriyani]

Her own bow was deeper, appropriately so. "Fortunes favor you, Doji-sama," she says before turning to leave the gallery.

[Saibankan]

/scene