Consecration 1
darthcourt10
Well worn.
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2018
- Messages
- 7,972
- Likes received
- 30,855
Yellowhammer
Consecration I
Tsurugaoka Hachimangū, Kamakura
Eishō 8, 7th Day of the 7th Month (June 7th 1511)
Spoiler: The Decision
A hot wind blew the songs of the farmers in the rice paddies to the shrine of the Protector of Warriors. It flapped in the banners of three proud and great clans.
To the west, the four black diamond mon of the Takeda Clan fluttered from their black and white banners. The wind carried the nickering of their peerless cavalry's horses as a procession made its way from their camp to Hachimangū.
To the east, light blue and white banners flapped in the wind. Emblazoned with the three dragonscale mon of the Hōjō Clan, a matching procession left their camp to head to the shrine.
Finally to the north, the dark blue banners of the Uesugi Clan showed their mon of two flying sparrows in bamboo as a third procession left their camp to head to the shrine.
All three processions came to the first Torii gate, where they dismounted. Glares were exchanged and hands found the hilts of weapons as the three daimyos, each with a double handful of retainers, walked along the consecrated path to the stone staircase. The priests and monks watched as radiating hostility, the three delegations climbed the centuries-old staircase, and approached the main shrine.
Awaiting them, a phalanx of monks and priests bowed to each in turn. Once the last servant was seated and tea was served, the chief priest nodded to his assistants. The shrine bell was rung twice by a team of monks, the sound of the bell causing doves to fly from the roofs. All present bowed to the door to the Honden sanctuary as Hachiman manifested invisibly.
He surveyed the assembled priests, monks, and samurai with an unreadable face.
"Bring forth the offerings!' The High Priest commanded, as three samurai, clad in Takeda black, Hōjō light blue, and Uesugi dark blue came forth and bowed, as each presented a sword for His invisible inspection on the provided sword racks.
All was still as Hachiman looked at the three blades offered as the monks and priests examined them.
Spoiler: The Swords
Looking at the first rack, He carefully examined the katana presented. His brow wrinkled slightly as she saw the humble, almost ostentatiously austere, fittings with a simple square iron tsuba guard etched with His dove. Nodding, He watched a senior monk draw the sword and a stifled expression of awe rose through the crowd as the perfection of Masamune steel was revealed to all present. Moving through a fast kata, the monk paused, as one by one seven kanji, the Seven Virtues of Bushido, shone forth.
He nodded to Himself, this was the weapon of a humble and loyal samurai, perfectly forged to serve its lord and master as a servant should. He sensed her spirit's willingness to serve Him in any way required unhesitatingly in accordance with Bushido.
As He turned to the second sword's presentation, the Takeda daimyo shot a triumphant smile at his rivals. Clearly his offering of the Masamune he had commissioned from one of the Master's apprentices in the school that the Master had founded would be viewed as superior and the Protector of Warrors would bless his cause.
The second sword glittered with gold as the monk picked it up. His eyes narrowed slightly as Hachiman surveyed the decorative ornamentation, and a minute wrinkle creased His brow as the sword was drawn. Gold inlay was patterned in the steel with a prayer of praise to Hachiman. Another stir ran through the crowd at the sight, with hushed whispers for the beauty of the weapon.
Beautiful, but the weapon of a courtier and not a warrior. Unsuitable.
With that he watched the monk perform the kata again, and then replace the sword.
The Hōjō daimyo smiled triumphantly at the pleased comments from the assembled dignitaries.
Beside him, his Takeda rival's smile became more smug.
Sweat patterned the brow of the Uesugi daimyo as the priests reached the third stand.
Unlike the other two katanas, the third was a mighty no-dachi greatsword. Gold flashed from the menuki of two doves on her hilt as Hachiman minutely inspected her, his face thoughtful. As before, the monk unsheathed her, and eyes widened at the curve of equally perfect Muramasa steel exposed. The dignitaries laughed at the ostentatious blade's clear 'compensation' as her decorations, her massive size, and her Muramasa steel suggested a blatant attempt to sway the judges.
Hachiman's eyes narrowed at the spirit he sensed within as he thought silently as His priests and monks laughed.
Strong and resolute she was, but also eager for battle in ways the Masamune was not... and yet... something could be made of her. She had a use in His plans. But not in this place, not yet.
Finishing the kata, the monk replaced the third sword and the High Priest stepped forth. He bowed to the three daimyo and then spoke in a clear voice.
"Hear our words. Masamune-no-Tokunotakai is pleasing to Lord Hachiman's sight and shall remain here as His Blade to serve the temple."
The dove engraving on Tokunotakai's tsuba blazed with bright white light as Hachiman consecrated her. The Takeda daimyo's face curled in a triumphant smile as he bowed his head to the ground.
"The Hōjō Yoshihiro blade is likewise accepted by the Hachimangū as worthy of enshrinement."
Hachiman shook His head. The sword was beautiful, and well crafted, but not that of a soldier. A showpiece, on the other hand....
A hush ran through the crowd as the golden prayer on the blade stayed inert. The Hōjō daimyo blanched slightly.
Finally the priest looked at the no-dachi. "This... monstrosity... is not suitable for enshrinement here. Let it be taken back by the Uesugi!"
Hachiman invisibly nodded to himself. This fitted His plans for an agent outside the walls of His Temple, and He dimly sensed that this blade would have an important part to play in future events. She would be the fulcrum on which much depended.
Hachiman reached out to invisibly touch the nodachi blade and whispered. "I have plans for you, My Daughter. Have faith." As the blade was wrapped back up in the dark blue silk, the dove menuki flashed white in turn, although none saw it.
The Uesugi daimyo bit his lip at the apparent rejection. He glared at his advisors as the other two delegations left the shrine. "Get that blade out of my sight."
Consecration I
Tsurugaoka Hachimangū, Kamakura
Eishō 8, 7th Day of the 7th Month (June 7th 1511)
Spoiler: The Decision
A hot wind blew the songs of the farmers in the rice paddies to the shrine of the Protector of Warriors. It flapped in the banners of three proud and great clans.
To the west, the four black diamond mon of the Takeda Clan fluttered from their black and white banners. The wind carried the nickering of their peerless cavalry's horses as a procession made its way from their camp to Hachimangū.
To the east, light blue and white banners flapped in the wind. Emblazoned with the three dragonscale mon of the Hōjō Clan, a matching procession left their camp to head to the shrine.
Finally to the north, the dark blue banners of the Uesugi Clan showed their mon of two flying sparrows in bamboo as a third procession left their camp to head to the shrine.
All three processions came to the first Torii gate, where they dismounted. Glares were exchanged and hands found the hilts of weapons as the three daimyos, each with a double handful of retainers, walked along the consecrated path to the stone staircase. The priests and monks watched as radiating hostility, the three delegations climbed the centuries-old staircase, and approached the main shrine.
Awaiting them, a phalanx of monks and priests bowed to each in turn. Once the last servant was seated and tea was served, the chief priest nodded to his assistants. The shrine bell was rung twice by a team of monks, the sound of the bell causing doves to fly from the roofs. All present bowed to the door to the Honden sanctuary as Hachiman manifested invisibly.
He surveyed the assembled priests, monks, and samurai with an unreadable face.
"Bring forth the offerings!' The High Priest commanded, as three samurai, clad in Takeda black, Hōjō light blue, and Uesugi dark blue came forth and bowed, as each presented a sword for His invisible inspection on the provided sword racks.
All was still as Hachiman looked at the three blades offered as the monks and priests examined them.
Spoiler: The Swords
Looking at the first rack, He carefully examined the katana presented. His brow wrinkled slightly as she saw the humble, almost ostentatiously austere, fittings with a simple square iron tsuba guard etched with His dove. Nodding, He watched a senior monk draw the sword and a stifled expression of awe rose through the crowd as the perfection of Masamune steel was revealed to all present. Moving through a fast kata, the monk paused, as one by one seven kanji, the Seven Virtues of Bushido, shone forth.
He nodded to Himself, this was the weapon of a humble and loyal samurai, perfectly forged to serve its lord and master as a servant should. He sensed her spirit's willingness to serve Him in any way required unhesitatingly in accordance with Bushido.
As He turned to the second sword's presentation, the Takeda daimyo shot a triumphant smile at his rivals. Clearly his offering of the Masamune he had commissioned from one of the Master's apprentices in the school that the Master had founded would be viewed as superior and the Protector of Warrors would bless his cause.
The second sword glittered with gold as the monk picked it up. His eyes narrowed slightly as Hachiman surveyed the decorative ornamentation, and a minute wrinkle creased His brow as the sword was drawn. Gold inlay was patterned in the steel with a prayer of praise to Hachiman. Another stir ran through the crowd at the sight, with hushed whispers for the beauty of the weapon.
Beautiful, but the weapon of a courtier and not a warrior. Unsuitable.
With that he watched the monk perform the kata again, and then replace the sword.
The Hōjō daimyo smiled triumphantly at the pleased comments from the assembled dignitaries.
Beside him, his Takeda rival's smile became more smug.
Sweat patterned the brow of the Uesugi daimyo as the priests reached the third stand.
Unlike the other two katanas, the third was a mighty no-dachi greatsword. Gold flashed from the menuki of two doves on her hilt as Hachiman minutely inspected her, his face thoughtful. As before, the monk unsheathed her, and eyes widened at the curve of equally perfect Muramasa steel exposed. The dignitaries laughed at the ostentatious blade's clear 'compensation' as her decorations, her massive size, and her Muramasa steel suggested a blatant attempt to sway the judges.
Hachiman's eyes narrowed at the spirit he sensed within as he thought silently as His priests and monks laughed.
Strong and resolute she was, but also eager for battle in ways the Masamune was not... and yet... something could be made of her. She had a use in His plans. But not in this place, not yet.
Finishing the kata, the monk replaced the third sword and the High Priest stepped forth. He bowed to the three daimyo and then spoke in a clear voice.
"Hear our words. Masamune-no-Tokunotakai is pleasing to Lord Hachiman's sight and shall remain here as His Blade to serve the temple."
The dove engraving on Tokunotakai's tsuba blazed with bright white light as Hachiman consecrated her. The Takeda daimyo's face curled in a triumphant smile as he bowed his head to the ground.
"The Hōjō Yoshihiro blade is likewise accepted by the Hachimangū as worthy of enshrinement."
Hachiman shook His head. The sword was beautiful, and well crafted, but not that of a soldier. A showpiece, on the other hand....
A hush ran through the crowd as the golden prayer on the blade stayed inert. The Hōjō daimyo blanched slightly.
Finally the priest looked at the no-dachi. "This... monstrosity... is not suitable for enshrinement here. Let it be taken back by the Uesugi!"
Hachiman invisibly nodded to himself. This fitted His plans for an agent outside the walls of His Temple, and He dimly sensed that this blade would have an important part to play in future events. She would be the fulcrum on which much depended.
Hachiman reached out to invisibly touch the nodachi blade and whispered. "I have plans for you, My Daughter. Have faith." As the blade was wrapped back up in the dark blue silk, the dove menuki flashed white in turn, although none saw it.
The Uesugi daimyo bit his lip at the apparent rejection. He glared at his advisors as the other two delegations left the shrine. "Get that blade out of my sight."