#hōju-no-tama

[love1kimono]

Kitsune Silk Label 1920s

A vintage Japanese silk label with a kitsune (fox spirit), the messenger of O-Inari, the rice god. The kitsune holds an hōju-no-tama (wish fulfilling jewel) in its mouth, which signifies the bestowal of blessings, and it has a triad of sacred jewels on its tail.

[etymology-of-the-emblem]

Rafail Gem / ラファイルの宝珠, Scythe of Sariel / サリエルの大鎌, Crescent Sickle / 三日月の鎌

The Rafail Gem (JP: ラファイルの宝珠; rōmaji: rafairu no hōju) is a Hero's Relic tied to the Crest of Lamine. The name Rafail is a variant of Raphael common in Greek and Russian. Similarly, in Japanese, the name is most likely a corruption of ラファエル (rōmaji: rafaeru), the name Raphael. This is likely meant to reference the archangel Raphael, one of the four highest ranking angels in Judeo-Christian and Islamic beliefs. As his name means "God has healed," Raphael is depicted in many apocryphal and secular works as being a great healer and remover of demonic curses. These aspects are befitting of the one known person with a Major Crest of Lamine and the attributes of the crest. The protection provided by the Rafail Gem are most likely based on the general idea of a guardian angel.

The Japanese word for the Gem items 宝珠 (rōmaji: hōju) has some additional depth. This is an abbreviation of 宝珠の玉 (rōmaji: hōju no tama) or 如意宝珠 (rōmaji: nyoihōju), the word for the cintamani of Hindu and Buddhist legends. They are said to be pearl-like jewels that are able to grant a single earthly desire; it is impossible to develop one's spirit through the use of a cintamani. Amusing, then, that a character can use a Knowledge Gem to develop their Faith.

The Scythe of Sariel (JP: サリエルの大鎌; rōmaji: sarieru no ōkami) is the Agarthan weapon wielded by the Death Knight. The Judaic angel Sariel is a controversial figure, with many radically different depictions in apocryphal texts and little to no presence in the Bible itself. Sometimes he is depicted as one of the archangels, and believed to hold great healing powers. He's even been considered the right-hand of Raphael. At other times, he has been considered the warden of the spirits that sin, the one to judge the sins of other angels, or even as an Angel of Death tracking lost souls, often depicted with a scythe in artwork. However, the Book of Enoch instead claims that Sariel was one of the leaders of the fallen angels that came to earth to procreate with humanity and grant them knowledge forbidden by God. Sariel himself was said to have taught humanity the lunar calendar. All of these interpretations of Sariel culminate into both the Scythe of Sariel and the character of the Death Knight—a good man with a crest meant for healing, fallen into evil while wearing a reaper persona.

Even the Crescent Sickle, the weapon of the Death Knight's cavalcade, relates to Sariel. Further emphasized in the Japanese name 三日月の鎌 (rōmaji: mikadzuki no kama), the crescent refers to the crescent moon. Not only is the crescent moon, well, a phase of the moon, but it is a prevalent symbol in various religions, from the Greco-Roman lunar deities to Islam. Notably, Isaiah 3:18 speaks ill of jewelry and ornaments, specifying the crescent form among them. Given the Catholic imagery of the Church of Seiros, such imagery among their ancient enemy may be intentional. The Crescent Sickle being a weapon made by techniques lost to time, preserved by the Agarthans may also relate to Sariel teachings, which would be forgotten by humanity after the great deluge culled the population.

This was a segment from a larger document reviewing the name of most every weapon and item in Three Houses and Three Hopes. Click Here to read it in full.

[thebluebloodstudios]

Hoju by @martialtattoo! ⠀ ⠀ ‘Known as the hōju 宝珠 or hōju-no-tama 宝珠の玉 or nyoi houju 如意宝珠 in Japan, this jewel signifies the bestowal of blessings on all who suffer, for it grants wishes, pacifies desires, and brings clear understanding of the Dharma (Buddhist law). In Japan, the hoju is often appears as giboshi bridge ornaments and are said to resemble the onion domes seen in Western or Baltic cultures, however, they are mostly likely the form of the peach which is the fruit symbolic of immortality and healing (known from the myths and legends of the ancient chronicles of Japan).’ - taken from japanesemythology.wordpress.com ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #tattoosbymartial #martialtattoos #amsterdam #amsterdamtattoos #amsterdamtattooshop #tattoo #hoju #hojutattoo #tattoos #qualitytattoos #qualitytattooing #tattooshopamsterdam #amsterdamtattooartists #amsterdamtattoo #thebluebloodstudios #kinkerstraat #amsterdamwest #bluebloodfamily (at The Blue Blood Studios) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiM5hKoL-3M/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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<strong>Kitsune Silk Label 1920s <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/blue_ruin_1/">by Blue Ruin 1</a></strong>

A vintage Japanese silk label with a kitsune (fox spirit), the messenger of O-Inari, the rice god. The kitsune holds an hōju-no-tama (wish fulfilling jewel) in its mouth, which signifies the bestowal of blessings, and it has a triad of sacred jewels on its tail.