The Flow of Destiny [EM, Day 3]

Kayou · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:51 pm **Posts:** 419

"If this one can help, she will, Matsu-san," says Kayou.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 4:01 pm

"I will be unable to continue my devotions here in the morning from now on I believe. I think it a good example to the men of me being up and there with them for the first shift of the day."

Kayou · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:51 pm **Posts:** 419

"Hai, one should never ask of your followers what you are not willing to ask of yourself," agrees Kayou. "This one works, trains and fights besides her disciples back at the Order. We all must act as one, being able to trust the others in all things, and shared duties reinforce that."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 4:19 pm

"There are still many things I do not understand about the heimen. I want to be able to teach them effectively, so to do so I need to be able to connect to them. Do you have any advice?"

Kayou · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:51 pm **Posts:** 419

"This one's advice will cleave to the Tao, not Bushido, so remember Akodo-no-Kami's admonition," says Kayou quietly, so as not to carry. "The secret is that heimin are people as well, with hopes and dreams, loves and fears. They may be lower in the Celestial Order than samurai but they are still worthy of respect and understanding."

Mirumoto Wasako · **Joined:** Sun Apr 05, 2020 4:56 pm **Posts:** 945

Isawa Miwako wrote:

"Water is cleansing." the Phoenix added. "It washes away so much and brings peace and calm."

She nodded and closed her eyes to reflect on the Phoenix's words, thinking about a particular place in her mind. "I do admit there's a certainty serenity found in seeing a body of clear water, like a lake in the wilderness and reflecting everything around it. It does make for a very good meditating spot."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 4:56 pm

"I trust your words and have found them to be true with Tsuruga and Fuwa, but there are so many things that they do differently than Samurai it can make it difficult to connect. I have been getting better at it with my budoka, but only because I take them with me everywhere. They get to live a samurai's life, though without the title or station. Courtrooms they are dressed in kimono and right behind me. Evenings they share a room with me, witnessing our rituals. Days they walk the same path as me. I've done my best to educate them as well in matters of literacy and art.."

She sighs

"But yet, even then they are still quite different. "

Kayou · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:51 pm **Posts:** 419

"They started their path in a very different place, Matsu-san," says Kayou. "Growing up as peasants, they needed to work, hard, just to live from as soon as they were able to walk and help their parents. Everyday was toil to grow the food and make the objects that we . . . that samurai take for granted as their natural right. And when crops fail, it is not the samurai, but the people who grow the food who go hungry."

"That is why this one founded the Order of Harmonious Work, to find more and better ways to grow food for all. So that no one's children, be they high or low, should ever go hungry."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 5:28 pm

"A very noble purpose indeed. Sensei is quite wise and kind. Since you have the most insight of anyone on the subject, I wonder, what all things would be important to know that the peasants simply do not have exposure to? I realize now that there must be many things my budoka find confusing, but do not ask me to expand upon for fear of failing me"

Kayou · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:51 pm **Posts:** 419

"Perhaps the simplest thing to samurai that is mostly denied to the lower orders," says Kayou, "can they read?"

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 5:39 pm

"Some. I try to have them look over things and ask me what the characters mean, and then I will draw them for them later and have them repeat back the meaning. I also have them attempt to draw them as well. But, between their writing and their speech, I would assume them to be simpletons if I did not know them"

Kayou · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:51 pm **Posts:** 419

Kayou nods. "That is good. But you have had to teach them. Unlike the samurai, such skills are not thought to be essential for the peasants. But how can they share what they have learned without such skills? How can they learn when there are not teachers present? A basic knowledge of such opens worlds for people."

"Sadly, there is little time for such learning among all of the labor required of the people. The order ties to make sure all can at least ready their name and that of their ord and Clan, so they will know when important information concern them. Even if they must ask others to read the rest."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 6:01 pm

"Do things like ancestors, bushido, or honor matter to them at all?"

Kayou · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:51 pm **Posts:** 419

"The Ancestors, yes, very much, every family has a shrine to the Ancestors," says Kayou. "Bushido, no, it is the Warrior's Way, not the path of the peasants. Honor, yes, but of a more practical kind, keeping your word, doing your tasks, not giving up, simple virtues but vital."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 8:50 pm

“That certainly matches what I have seen. So, if I begin teaching more of these things but in the manner samurai would be expected to approach them, could I risk upsetting the heavens?”

Kayou · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:51 pm **Posts:** 419

Kayou smiles. "You are doing what is in harmony with the Tao."

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 9:21 pm

Mogami gives a hum of thought.

“One of my clan mates said that it could be used as a weapon against me, or the Lion, if say a clan in court wanted something to use as an excuse. That because I’m treating them more like samurai, I’m breaking protocol. “

Kayou · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:51 pm **Posts:** 419

"You are, so be careful," says Kayou simply.

Matsu Mogami · **Posted:** Mon Apr 13, 2020 10:35 pm

Mogami lets out a huh? sound and confusion crosses her face.

"But, you said it was the way of the Tao? Is not Taoism part of all samurai culture and protocol? I mean, I know the Lion choose Akodo-no-Kami's teachings, but I thought for the rest of the Empire, the Tao was just as important to their way of life as Leadership is to the Lion?"

Kayou · **Joined:** Wed Apr 01, 2020 2:51 pm **Posts:** 419

Kayou grins. "But the Tao is leveling. To the Tao, one person is much like another. The Empire stands on the model of Bushido, even though there are those who also seek the Tao. Bushido is orderly, hierarchical, suitable for a Lord. The Tao is levelling, equal, suitable for all."

"Those in power, seek to maintain that power; those without just seek to get on with their lives without difficulty."

The Flow of Destiny [EM, Day 3]

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