(D2, EE) Discussion of the Art of Jin

[Akodo Yaukwari]

snip

"Ikoma-sama is known to Otomo-sama?" Yakuwari asks, a touch of incredulity in his voice.

"But please pardon a moment," he adds, grabbing up his note-taking equipment.

Following Bayushi-san's performance, the judges, Kakita Hyoukasha and Akuba, began their review. Kakita Akuba bore out reports of her wit and sharpness, while her husband was more reserved in his judgments, remarking at least once on the adequacy of the presentations made.

"Certainly, Otomo-sama's display is commanding."

[Kakita Hyoukasha]

Hyoukasha looked over the painting with much the same expression that he looked at the last painting.

"More subtle than the last. The artist struggled with the concept." he offered.

Akuba moves onward.

"It seems some are making ready a burnt offering," she says. "They need to go further with it, perhaps."

Akuba studied the presented poems...though whether it was for what was written, or for just how flammable they were, was up for debate.

"The artist blurs the line between Duty and Compassion. Will the same be offered on the day devoted to Duty?" he mused.

[Otomo Yua]

<snip>

Yua fell into silence, letting the man do his note writing. She did peek, but let her eyes move away once he stopped.

"I cannot say I know of Ikoma-sama, were they at the last winter court? I did not spend a lot of time with the Lion delegation unfortunately but as the Sapphire Championship concept was offered and agreed at Winter Court I assume that the idea of sending a chronicler would have come from that also. Your words are very kind too, thank you" she bowed to Yaukwari "it was a very unique story, but one I enjoyed telling. As a chronicler Akodo-san must hear a lot of stories, so if he liked mine that means a lot to me."

[Kakita Akuba]

Akuba studied the presented poems...though whether it was for what was written, or for just how flammable they were, was up for debate.

"The artist blurs the line between Duty and Compassion. Will the same be offered on the day devoted to Duty?" he mused.

Looking at the next presentation, Akuba remarks "Some take it literally that they should have some skin in the game, I think, although my husband's comment about the conflation of virtues applies, as well. But it is also said that they grow lightheaded who climb high. Perhaps that obtains here, as well."

[Akodo Yaukwari]

snip

"Ikoma-sama did not mention being at the Winter Court in Naishou," Yakuwari replies, "though he has not said he was elsewhere."

He flushes and bows again. "But I have not heard the like of Otomo-sama's story, to be sure."

[Kakita Hyoukasha]

Looking at the next presentation, Akuba remarks "Some take it literally that they should have some skin in the game, I think, although my husband's comment about the conflation of virtues applies, as well. But it is also said that they grow lightheaded who climb high. Perhaps that obtains here, as well."

Kyouhasha nodded.

"Agreed." he said, sparing the Draogn but a single word before being ready for the next display.

[Otomo Yua]

<snip>

"Then my apology" Yua bowed "however sending a chronicler who is so diligent in his duties such as Akodo-san shows that he is wise, ne?"

There was a smile.

"I always found stories like that to be fascinating. Stories should be a window into a different world, where one can lose themselves for a short while and enjoy the authors work. Telling stories isn't quite the same as writing them, I don't know which is preferred, but seeing an audience enraptured while I'm telling a story is a wonderful feeling. Does Akodo-san prefer written or spoken stories?"

[Kakita Akuba]

Kyouhasha nodded.

"Agreed." he said, sparing the Draogn but a single word before being ready for the next display.

Considering another presentation, Akuba remarks "Many seem to envy the winds, emulating them as they do. If there was one blowing from the canyons, there was just as certainly one blowing from on high, and no few have said that the winds will sometimes howl."

[Akodo Yaukwari]

snip

"Both have their merits," Yakuwari replies. "The voices of the ancestors cannot be heard by the ears of all, but the works of their hands can yet be touched. Too, a fair copy preserves much the ear does not; it does not suffer from the buzzing of dragonflies, for instance."

Because Yakuwari is a Lion, after all.

"In both cases, though, the skill of the teller matters. A well-told tale surpasses one written but middlingly, and the reverse is true."

[Kakita Hyoukasha]

Kyouhasha nodded.

"Agreed." he said, sparing the Draogn but a single word before being ready for the next display.

Considering another presentation, Akuba remarks "Many seem to envy the winds, emulating them as they do. If there was one blowing from the canyons, there was just as certainly one blowing from on high, and no few have said that the winds will sometimes howl."

Hyoukasha yawned behind his fan.

"I feel like I have heard such words 40 years ago." he offered, post-yawn, hoping there weren't too many more exhibits to get through.

[Otomo Yua]

<snip>

"Very true, and an interesting insight. Thank you Akodo-san" Yua said with a smile, pausing to look to the judges before adding "although it seems not all agree, ne?"

[Kakita Akuba]

Hyoukasha yawned behind his fan.

"I feel like I have heard such words 40 years ago." he offered, post-yawn, hoping there weren't too many more exhibits to get through.

The next exhibit draws Akuba's attention.

"Well," she says, "one supposes broken things have to be put somewhere."

[Akodo Yaukwari]

snip

Yakuwari flushes again.

"The honor is to serve."

[Kakita Hyoukasha]

The next exhibit draws Akuba's attention.

"Well," she says, "one supposes broken things have to be put somewhere."

"Bold to represent a virtue with a display dedicated to it's absolute failure." was her husband's summary.

[Kakita Akuba]

"Bold to represent a virtue with a display dedicated to it's absolute failure." was her husband's summary.

The next entry fares no better under Akuba's attentions.

"One might almost be forgiven for thinking sparrows have alighted here, rather than orioles," she says. "Although yams might almost be preferable."

[Otomo Yua]

<snip>

Yua watched as the judges moved onto...the pile of broken weapons. There was a tilt of the head.

"Hm...what does Akodo-san make of that one? Forgive me, perhaps I've misunderstood but I don't see compassion in it."

[Akodo Yaukwari]

snip

Yakuwari looks at Kunio's work.

"If it is understood correctly, the Legionnaire's work acts through negation. That is, it highlights the virtue by demonstrating the results of its absence."

[Kakita Hyoukasha]

"Bold to represent a virtue with a display dedicated to it's absolute failure." was her husband's summary.

The next entry fares no better under Akuba's attentions.

"One might almost be forgiven for thinking sparrows have alighted here, rather than orioles," she says. "Although yams might almost be preferable."

This netted a small shrug from Hyoukasha.

"It's nice to have something to drink in between displays." he offered, ready to resume judging.

[Otomo Yua]

<snip>

"Hmm..."

Yua had drawn her fan, and was tapping it on her lip as she considered it.

"A unique way to display compassion. Most have displayed compassion in action, displaying the lack of it is not one I considered. Art is subjective ne? I don't think a display like this would do well in a courtroom."

[Bayushi Choudai]

"Well, I had ... I've been thinking of what I'll do for Courtesy, and thought... to ask if I could display the spices you give me -- if you give them to me -- in one of my bags, with the name of who you procured them from. I thought it... appropriate. No -- symbolic. That's what I'm trying for, for the accompanying pieces. Symbolism and sharing." Her cheeks flush as she stumbles over her words. "I'll understand if you'd rather I not. I thought it would be rude and discourteous to simply display them without asking your permission." Well, now Nadeshiko feels like she's put her foot in her mouth. Why she does the things she does sometimes is beyond even her understanding.

He tilted his head to the side. Nodded.

"I can arrange that. Normally it would be a bit much, but this is art we're speaking of. It often demands something... extra."

As the judges started making their rounds, he was... amused.

I think the sadane expert is actually the kinder of the two.