#shirabyoshi

[redsamuraiii]

Nioh 2 (2020)

Minamoto no Yoshitsune gave his flute to Shizuka Gozen, just like in the Japanese drama, Yoshitsune. 😭💓

[redsamuraiii]

Minamoto no Yoshitsune's lover. 🥰

When she was captured by her lover's enemy, Minamoto no Yoritomo, she was forced to entertain him to intimidate her into giving up her lover's whereabouts. She entertained him, and sang praises of her lover instead, agitating him. Yoritomo's wife was impressed by her courage and defiance that she asked her to be released.

"Shizuka Gozen" (静御前) by Uemura Shōen (上村松園), 1944

[ryin-silverfish]

Keisei Suikoden: Genderbent Water Margins

This is probably Part 2 of the "Obscure Vernacular Novels Spotlight" series. Dunno if there's gonna be a Part 3, because most obscure novels stay obscure for a reason. Which is often formulaic boredom. And I'm only picking out the fun ones.

(Also, my main interest is still Ming-Qing vernacular novels, but since I'm doing a final project about Keisei Suikoden for this semester's class, I may as well use the post as Draft 0.)

...

"Is this the Edo Japan equivalent of FGO making historical figures and deities into anime girls?" I thought, when I first came across a Chinese summary of the novel several years ago. 

Then I learned that the author, Kyokutei Bakin, has indeed appeared in FGO as an anime girl. 

As the title suggests, this fan novel of Water Margins has made all the male 108 heroes into heroines, and the female characters into guys...but the changes go further.

Specifically, Bakin has localized the entire setting, rewriting the storyline so that it took place in Kamakura Japan instead. (Hey, it's even contemporary to Northern Song!) Kinda like how Konami's first Suikoden game put the 108 heroes into a medieval fantasy setting.

Which means: 

All the 108 characters got their unique Japanese names, sometimes sharing one or two characters with their original inspirations but not always. 

Daoist characters became Shinto priestesses, yamabushi, and onmyoji. 

Beef dishes that appeared in the original novel were replaced with poultry and fish because Edo Japan had a ban on livestock meat.

The Genpei War and other rebellions in its aftermath were featured in the backstory of a bunch of female bandits, who belonged to defeated clans, and many of the 108 heroines were associated with the Minamoto Clan. 

Almost every character got genderbent. Which means the damsels in distress from the original novel become bishonen in distress, female bandits would kidnap men and force them into marriages, etc.

The rough outline of the story goes like this: an arrogant female official, while trying to find the famous priestess Murokai (fem! Heavenly Master Zhang) in the Kumano mountains to dispel a plague, released the 108 vengeful ghosts of unmarried courtesans mentioned in the Manyoshu anthology, who reincarnated into our 108 heroines.

After a timeskip, in the capital, the Shirabyoshi dancer Kamegiku (fem! Gao Qiu) has gained the favor of Emperor Go-Toba, both of whom were real historical figures.

During his reign, women skilled in various martial arts were selected to train in the Female Warrior Training School, and after offending Kamegiku, one of the head trainers, Ayaosa (fem! Wang Jin) was forced to flee with her aging mother.

During their escape, she encountered the spunky tomboy daughter of a village chief, Fusenryu Komorode ("Komorode the Diving Dragon", fem! Shi Jin), and taught her the eighteen martial arts after defeating her in a duel...

We then got to Otatsu of Hanagara (fem! Lu Zhishen), my favorite of the genderbent characters——A plump, dark-skinned lady with a fierce temper and love for sake, able to effortlessly move a 45 kg mortar around.

She became a fugitive after she killed the mean usurer widow and salted fish vendor, Kaina, with a single punch, to save the male courtesan Yasanosuke and his mom.

Then she was made a Buddhist nun and took on the name Myotatsu, but got expelled from her first temple for acting exactly like the original Lu Zhishen: getting drunk and eating meat, fistfighting a Jizo statue outside the temple gate and bringing the entire small shrine down, and beating up the nuns who tried to stop her.

"I'm adept at explaining the nature of cause and effect: Fuck Around and Find Out." ——Myotatsu, right before rescuing the village head's pretty son from a forced marriage to the local bandit queen 

The novel does have a main plot: while Kamegiku was playing the temptress in Kyoto, Hojo Masako ruled as the "Nun Shogun" in Kamakura, and had essentially usurped the Minamoto Clan by placing her son, Yoriie, under house arrest and later assassinating him.

Thus, instead of robbing Cai Jing's birthday present, the 108 heroines were kidnapping Princess Sanze, the youngest daughter of Yoriie, to protect her from the Hojo regents and restore Minamoto control.

Sadly, we don't know how the plot concludes.

Bakin had gone blind in his old age, relying entirely on his daughter-in-law to transcribe his oral accounts, and since he was focused on finishing his most famous epic novel, Chronicle of the Eight Dogs Heroes (Nanso satomi hakken-den), Keisei Suikoden had taken a backstage and is never finished.

Some highlights:

-Sakurado of Torano-o (fem! Lin Chong) got fucked over because Kamegiku wanted to take her husband for herself. Her husband, Nansei, is a pretty twink monk and one of her disciples. He's timid, delicate, and has no interest in women, but loved Sakurado platonically and was in turn supported by her, who never looked down on him.

-Fushishiba (fem! Chai Jin), a.k.a. Oritaki no Sho, is descended from a member of the Taira Clan who owed a debt to Yoritomo, and was granted various honors and titles after the war.

-fem! Chao Gai's name is Kocho, which translates literally to "Little Butterfly". It might be a pun, since Chao and Cho sound kinda similar. And yes, she did lift an entire stone pagoda and carry it to her village to protect the villagers from the local yokai.

-Fittingly enough, "Sasuno Miko Medogi" (fem! Gongsun Sheng) is an onmyoji of the Abe lineage, who can manipulate Shikigami to summon winds and clouds.

-Oohako (fem! Song Jiang) murdering male! Yan Poxi is...surprisingly cathartic, not gonna lie. For context, Yan Po was not genderbent, but she abused Oohako's generosity to try to set her up with her son, a Joruri actor named Gidakichi, in an attempt to leech off her money.

-And while she's unwittingly offering patronage to their performances out of social obligation, Gidakichi was having an affair with her assistant, Adako (fem! Zhang Wenyuan), and being a stain on her reputation.

-After a very awkward and uncomfortable night at their house and Gidakichi being a creep to her, she accidentally left a pouch containing Kocho's letter of gratitude (because she alerted them to an incoming arrest) in their bedroom.

-Gidakichi found the letter and tried to use it to blackmail her into not only approving his marriage to Adako and covering the full expense, but also giving him the 300 gold mentioned in Kocho's letter (a gift she rejected).

-At which point she finally had enough and stabbed the guy to death. As you can see, the plot beats are mostly the same, but I like it better than the original.

-Why? Because 1) Yan Po's intent to leech off their patron is made a lot more obvious, and 2) instead of Yan Poxi (understandably) having no intention of sleeping with Song Jiang due to his cold neglect, and Song Jiang getting pissed at her for that?

-The dynamic is reversed. Gidakichi had no love for Oohako, and the feeling was mutual. Yet when she was pressured into spending the night in the same room by his mom, she was the one who kept a polite distance while he tried to force himself on her.

-Takeyo (fem! Wusong) is said to be 6 ft tall, with a dignified appearance that resembled the famous Tomoe Gozen from the Tale of Heike. Before she met Oohako, though, she was also short-tempered and prone to violence.

-Because Japan doesn't have tigers, the tiger Takeyo killed was a tiger cub gifted to the local lord by emissaries from Joseon Korea, which had escaped captivity upon reaching adulthood.

-Just like Wu Song, she avenged her sister, Butayo's murder at the hands of Kiresuke (male! Pan Jinlian) the abusive freeloader husband and his mistress, Okei of Seimonya (fem! Ximen Qin).

-Not gonna lie, the original Pan Jinlian and her Plum in the Golden Vase incarnation are both fascinatingly terrible people. But, just like Gidakichi, Kiresuke managed to outdone her through sheer creep factor during his failed attempt at seducing Takeyo and pinning the blame on her.

-Bakin generally tried to tune down the gore and cannibalism in Water Margins, as well as the slaughter of innocents and random passersby. Even Rikiju (fem! Li Kui) is slighty less of a indiscriminate murderhobo, and the targets of her killing spree were limited to samurai guards.

-That said, they still killed the corrupt official Ikken (Huang Wenbing)'s entire family by setting fire to his mansion, and preserved his head in a jar of sake after Rikiju killed him.

-Instead of receiving the three divine scrolls from the Mystic Lady of the Nine Heavens, Oohako received a single scroll from Benzaiten.

-Because of the aforementioned lack of tigers in Japan, Rikiju killed 4 giant "mountain dogs", a.k.a. Japanese wolves with unusual stripe patterns on their fur, after they devoured her elderly mom.

Final Thoughts

I'm not a fan of most genderbent AUs because oftentimes, it doesn't add anything meaningful to the original premise, or alter the character personality too much to the point of losing all resemblance to their counterpart.

Keisei Suikoden, however, is a pre-modern example of a genderbent adaptation done well.

The heroines are as badass, colorful, and violent as their male counterparts, the entire premise has been localized in a manner that's both funny and interesting, and the rewrite + deletion of certain story beats have actually removed many elements of Water Margins that do not sit well with a modern audience.

Also, I'll totally play a Keisei Suikoden RPG game, if the heroine designs stay true to the novel and they aren't all made into pretty anime girls. 

A two -volume English translation can be found on Amazon, together with the Chronicle of the Eight Dog Heroes. There's also a free digital scan of the original Japanese print by the Harvard-Yenching Library.

[ga-yuu]

Aw, I missed the event where Yoshino is a Shirabyoshi😭

Could you tell me about it please? 🥺

I don't remember most of it. It had Sueharu, Morinaga, Yoshitsune and Tamamo and Yoshino was a shirabyoshi.

Right now, you can read Sueharu's story along with the premium endings in game if you want.

Sueharu story - Yoshino is a shirabyoshi who was working for a rich guy and his family. She had good relation with the family members but unfortunately she was asked to resign because of something I don't remember. Now she had to find a new place. She bumps into Sueharu in another town and after finding out that Yoshino is a shirabyoshi, he asked her if she could dance for his guests for a banquet he will be holding soon. Yoshino says yes because she's getting paid. At the banquet, she dances beautifully, and one of the guests fell in love with her and asked her to be his mistress. Yoshino is not new to the fact that shirabyoshis can be mistresses too. But she wasn't mentally ready to be anyone's mistress yet, so she rejected. Then something happens in the party, sueharu saves yoshino and despite them developing a crush on each other they went their separate ways but they still kept in contact and would meet up when they were in the same town.

Yoshitsune's story - Yoshitsune was running away from someone and bumps into Yoshino one night. Yoshino came to a new town for a show but she had to stay at an inn for the night because the show was next day. She bumps into Yoshitsune and was mesmerized by his beauty. Yoshitsune walks away and certain rough looking men asked her if she had seen Yoshitsune. She says no but the men tried to attack her for some reason. Yoshitsune comes back and saves her from those men. Yoshitsune decides to safely take her to an inn and also find a room for himself in the new town. But unfortunately the inn only had one room left (huh, isn't that convenient). Yoshitsune decides to camp outside but Yoshino doesn't let him because she thinks Yoshitsune is a very naive man. (side note! She doesn't know he's a samurai). They sleep in the same room and also chat a little bit. Next day, Yoshitsune was missing and Yoshino thought he would come back soon. In the mean time, she was practicing her dance and without her knowing, Yoshitsune was watching her dance. Then they talk about something and Yoshino asks if would come to see her dance. Later that night, Yoshitsune does come to see her dance, but while she was performing she was attacked by the same men that harassed her earlier, but ofc Yoshitsune destroys them. This attack disrupted Yoshino's performance. Yoshitsune then pulls out his flute and started playing and Yoshino starts to dance along with Yoshitsune who was playing the music for her. The event story ends with Yoshitsune revealing who he is.

And I don't even remember Morinaga and Tamamo's story.

[missmyloko]

Same anon that asked about shirabyoshi and miko/shrine maiden, why are some shirabyoshi outfit have white kimono with red on the bottom, same like miko? Sometimes i am unable to tell them apart because the outfits have similar color scheme.

Thanks in advance!

Shirabiyoshi costumes are actually related to court robes that nobles wore and not those of shrine maidens. To tell shirabiyoshi apart from shrine maidens look for their headwear: shirabiyoshi wore the tall, black hats that were common with male courtiers whereas shrine maidens often wear flowers or small crowns ^^

[demonslayedher]

Kyaaaaaaa!!💕You took what I was thinking with that pose and actually made it look good! You actually gave them details, right down to the crest on Obatsune's armor! It's all the right collection of textures, and these colors suit them/the AU so well!!

Thank you for this!!!! Kyaaaaaa!!! 💓💕💖

I was really fascinated by @demonslayedher ‘s Obatsune and Benmitsu Au. I really love the designs and wanted to draw them myself. This is just my fan interpretation of their color schemes, and I hope I did them justice. I apologize in advance for any cultural/historical inaccuracies though! DX It was a bit of a challenge since I'm not used to drawing armors but it was fun.

Also I read that Shinobu is a Shirabyoshi dancer and Benmitsu is a fan so I imagine Benmitsu asking her for an autograph XD

[aishangotome]

Minamoto No Yoritomo: Chapter 2

Chapter 1

♡———♡

(He really feels like a person in power.)

(Is it okay for me to follow him...?)

Yoritomo-sama turned around as if reading my hesitation, and even that movement seemed calculated, with the sleeves of his kimono fluttering beautifully.

Yoritomo: Come, Yoshino.

Yoshino: Y-Yes...

I hurriedly followed Yoritomo, stepping on the gravel.

(His voice was so gentle. But the real him is...)

(He's forceful, mean, and has an incredible duality.)

Of all the people here, I'm probably the only one who knows Yoritomo's true nature.

The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

-

I was sitting next to Yoritomo, facing the outdoor dance pavilion.

Yoritomo: Why are you slouching?

Yoshino: I'm sorry, but...

(Everything is too extravagant!)

(The food, the dishes, they're all so beautiful, unlike anything I've ever seen. And the clothes of the people gathered here are so elegant...)

On the stage, women dressed in men's suikan (a type of robe) were performing an elegant dance.

(Shirabyoshi, are they the courtesans who frequent the noble houses...?)

(As expected, they're all so beautiful that I can't help but be captivated. I've heard they're not only skilled in the arts but also highly educated.)

Beautifully painted fans flashed vividly under the white daylight.

While watching them, I whispered to Yoritomo.

Yoshino: Even if I'm pretending to be an attendant, is it okay for me to be in a place like this?

Yoritomo: I've given the others a suitable explanation. It's nothing for you to worry about.

Yoritomo: Now straighten up.

(Eek...!)

He traced my back with his finger, and I leaned back slightly.

Yoshino: W-What are you doing all of a sudden?

Yoritomo: See, you can do it. Stay like that.

(Geez... It seems pointless to think too much in front of this person.)

I calmed down a bit and straightened my posture.

Yoshino: This feels more like a court noble's banquet than a samurai's.

Yoshino: Ah, of course, I've never seen either.

Yoritomo: Well, that's true. The samurai who hosted this banquet has a bloodline close to the court nobles.

Yoritomo: Such people tend to prefer, in a bad way, extravagant hospitality.

Yoshino: I see... So, he's an influential vassal?

(Since Yoritomo himself came directly.)

Yoritomo: In this case, you're not wrong.

Suddenly, a chilling tone mixed into Yoritomo's voice.

(Huh?)

Yoritomo: ––Bloodline and status should be considered separately.

Yoshino: What do you mean by...?

As I gazed at Yoritomo's profile, about to ask a question...

Samurai 1: Yoritomo-sama, are you enjoying yourself?

The samurai who first greeted Yoritomo approached with several others.

(This is the host of the banquet, right?)

Yoritomo: Yes, it's perfect.

Yoritomo nodded with a smile, instantly switching his demeanor.

In no time, well-dressed samurai surrounded our table.

Samurai 2: Yoritomo-sama, there's something I'd like to inform you about the battle in the west...

Samurai 3: No, no, more importantly, let's talk about the trade with Song...

Yoritomo: Tell me one at a time. I'm in the mood to have a long talk with everyone today.

At Yoritomo's words, everyone started speaking, vying to be heard first.

Political matters, war stories, popular pastimes... The topics changed one after another, but Yoritomo never faltered in his responses.

(He has a vast amount of knowledge, and above all, his social skills are exceptional...)

Samurai 1: Indeed, as expected of the head of the Minamoto clan, Yoritomo-sama, you are truly a man of great capacity.

Yoritomo: Please spare me the flattery, it makes it difficult to speak.

Samurai 1: What modesty! The Minamoto clan, with the blood of the imperial family...

Samurai 1: It's no exaggeration to say that you were born to lead us samurai!

(As I thought, Yoritomo-sama was born to be great.)

(But...)

(What did he mean earlier when he said bloodline and status should be considered separately?)

I tried to gauge Yoritomo's face, but of course, I couldn't read his thoughts.

Yoritomo: I'm honored that you think so highly of me.

Yoritomo: Speaking of which, your sister's marriage is coming up soon, isn't it? I'll send a congratulatory gift.

Samurai 1: You remembered!? I told you about it quite a while ago.

Yoritomo: Of course. It's a matter concerning an important vassal.

Yoritomo's words caused a stir among those present.

(He has so many vassals, yet he remembers such things...)

(He's truly skilled at capturing people's hearts.)

As I was impressed by Yoritomo's tactful behavior, the festive time passed.

-

After the banquet ended and night fell, we were guided to the mansion where we would stay the night.

Unable to settle in the unfamiliar environment, I left the small room assigned to me to look for water.

(I'm so tired today. Is this kind of day going to continue...?)

**flashback**

Yoritomo: Give up, there are fates you can't escape. After all, sacrifices are necessary for the greater good.

Yoritomo: Your feelings and the shogunate's decision. It's obvious which one I'll choose, isn't it?

**flashback over**

(Being sacrificed... It's easy for you to say, but I'm not ready yet.)

As I frowned, recalling the words spoken on the way here...

(...Huh?)

I suddenly heard voices around the corner and stopped.

???: Yoritomo-sama, please don't be so cold...

(This is...)

My heart pounded at the seductive whisper as I peeked around the corner.

Yoritomo: ......

Yoritomo-sama's chest was about to be touched by the fingertips of a beautiful woman.

(That person! One of the shirabyoshi dancers I saw at the banquet)

Shirabyoshi: Tonight, I long to spend it with you...

(I saw something I shouldn't have...! I have to turn back)

As I turned my back with guilt...

Yoritomo: My apologies. I have already chosen tonight's companion.

(Eh?)

Yoshino: Ah...

I was pulled by the arm from behind and dragged around the corner.

Yoritomo: Couldn't wait and came to get me?

Yoritomo: How cute, Yoshino.

Held in his embrace, his exceptionally gentle voice tickles my earlobe.

(He noticed me!?)

(And the companion for the night is...!)

Feeling my cheeks flush, I anxiously look at Yoritomo-sama's face.

Yoshino: Y-Yoritomo-sama, what are you sayi...

Yoritomo: ....

(Ouch, he stepped on my foot!)

Yoritomo-sama subtly moved his right foot, silencing my words.

(He wants me to be quiet...)

Shirabyoshi: Um, that person over there...

Yoritomo: She's an attendant, but I'm particularly fond of her.

Yoritomo: I intend to keep her by my side tonight and cherish her until morning.

(Until morning? Cherish!?)

Shirabyoshi: T-That is... quite the favor.

Yoritomo-sama gives the flustered shirabyoshi his usual perfect smile.

Yoritomo: Your dance was magnificent. I'd like to see it again sometime if the opportunity arises.

Shirabyoshi: I-I am honored...

(His words are gentle, but this is a pretty clear 'rejection', isn't it...?)

(It makes me nervous just watching.)

Shirabyoshi: Then, I shall take my leave...

The shirabyoshi, her voice slightly strained, bows and leaves down the long corridor.

(She's gone...)

After seeing her off, Yoritomo-sama abruptly releases me.

Yoritomo: You came to peek at just the right time. I'll praise you for that.

Yoshino: I was just passing by. I didn't intend to eavesdrop...

Yoshino: Besides, it's not fair to use me as an excuse to reject someone!

Yoritomo: Ah, you're a noisy woman.

He takes a step closer and grabs my hand.

(...!)

Yoritomo: If you complain that much, should I make you more than just an excuse?

Yoshino: Eh?

(Nn...)

Keeping our eyes locked, Yoritomo-sama touched his lips to my fingertips.

The ignited heat spreads throughout my body in an instant.

(What are you doing...!)

--CHOICES--

Please let me go

What do you mean?

I'm going to shout

----------------

Yoshino: S-stop... let go of me.

Yoritomo: Your defiant attitude just makes me more excited.

Yoritomo: You're a real piece of work if you're doing this on purpose.

Once again, a kiss is placed on Yoshino's finger.

(Ah...)

Seeing me tremble, Yoritomo laughed deep in his throat.

As if to confirm my every reaction, his lips slowly crawled up the back of my hand.

Yoshino: S-stop...

(Ah, at this rate...)

Yoshino raises the corners of her eyes and glares at Yoritomo-sama.

Yoshino: You have no interest in me, do you, Yoritomo-sama...?

Yoritomo: I'm interested in knowing what kind of sound a woman who rebels against me makes when I pin her down.

Yoshino: N... I have no intention of getting into that kind of relationship with you.

Yoritomo: Is that so? But...

The eyes of a beast tormenting its prey capture me and won't let go.

Yoritomo: What's wrong with the shogun embracing a woman as he pleases?

(N... such a...)

This time a kiss is dropped on my wrist.

(... ah... n)

Words danced as if urged by heat.

Yoshino: If that's what you wanted to do, wouldn't it have been better not to reject that woman earlier...?

Yoritomo: Don't be stupid. Do you think I can embrace a woman provided for entertainment?

Yoritomo: It's troublesome in many ways.

Yoshino: ... Troublesome?

The wind slowly cools the burning of the hand that was finally released.

Holding the kissed wrist, I slowly distanced myself from Yoritomo-sama.

Yoritomo: I have no intention of letting someone who tries to probe my intentions with seduction into my bedchamber.

(N... He has that cold expression again.)

His voice was still teasing, but his night-sky-colored eyes were quietly frozen.

Just like when he said at the banquet earlier, "Bloodline and ability should be considered separately."

(Yoritomo-sama is originally a two-faced person whose true intentions are hard to grasp, but)

(When he makes that kind of face, it makes it even harder to understand him...)

Yoshino: Are you saying that woman was ordered by someone to approach Yoritomo-sama...?

Yoritomo: Who knows. But shirabyoshi are people who live under the protection of influential people.

Yoritomo: It's not uncommon for them to become political pawns. Especially in places like banquets where so many people gather.

(I think what Yoritomo-sama says is probably right. But...)

I spin words with a feeling of dissatisfaction.

Yoshino: The people at today's banquet all seemed to genuinely respect Yoritomo-sama.

Yoshino: I don't think you need to be so suspicious.

Yoritomo: Respect, huh. For now, that is.

(That's an ambiguous way of putting it...)

Yoshino: Um... May I ask you one thing?

Yoritomo: What is it?

Yoshino: Is the reason Yoritomo-sama always acts in front of others because you don't trust other people...?

Yoritomo: What if I said yes?

I almost cower at the mocking tone. But I muster up my courage.

Yoshino: I think that's not good!

Yoritomo: ..............

Yoshino: Won't you get tired if you keep pretending to be someone you're not?

Yoshino: They say sickness starts in the mind, but putting a burden on your heart will also affect your body.

Yoshino: Especially since Yoritomo-sama is in such a respectable position... Wouldn't it be better for you to stay healthy?

Yoritomo: ... Huh.

Yoritomo: To be scolded by a woman I just met, I must be looked down upon.

(Did I go too far talking to the shogun like that...?)

I bite my lip, feeling a chill.

Yoshino: I apologize for my rudeness...

Yoritomo: There's no need to apologize.

Yoritomo: ––I like you.

(Eh...?)

Yoritomo-sama's hand touches my cheek without any hesitation.

The heat from earlier is reawakened, and I resist the urge to run away reflexively.

Yoritomo: When you're the shogun, people who aren't intimidated like you become rare.

Yoritomo: I'll allow you to continue speaking rudely.

(Does that mean...)

Yoshino: N... Even if you say you like me, it's like you like a toy, right?

Yoritomo: What, you're more perceptive than I thought.

(This person...!)

(... Since I got permission, I won't hold back anymore.)

Yoshino: It's a promise, so I'll cooperate with the shogunate. But...

Yoshino: I'll never become your toy!

Yoshino: A-And also... Yoritomo-sama, you touch women too easily!

I shake off his hand and look directly at Yoritomo-sama.

Then... I felt like his eyes, shining brightly in the night, softened a little.

Yoritomo: Haha, you really are interesting.

(...! This might be the first time I've seen Yoritomo-sama genuinely laugh.)

(He makes this kind of face...)

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 3

If you’d like to support my translations, feel free to buy me a coffee here! :)

[deductivisms]

shirabyoshi / bushi / tactician

[cestacruz]

I can easily be so delusional and make this about how she finds it hard to dance with someone else that isnt Shizuka (who is the most famous shirabyoshi/court DANCER, of Japan), but with the master is fine because they're like sibling to her (literally canon)

[atopearth]

Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei Part 3 - Shungen Route

I'm not too interested in Shungen so let's see how this goes~ I felt so bad for Shanao when Tokiwa Gozen slapped her hands away. I can't imagine how it would feel to finally see your mother and talk with her but be rejected so harshly. I'm starting to think that people probably don't like Shungen and Benkei because their characters are more supportive roles who accept Shanao no matter what she does and just hopes that she will be happy and free from her responsibilities. Anyway, I'm glad that they were able to resolve the vassal thing without much issue. I guess considering the era and culture, it's a bit harder for me to understand how big of a deal it is for Shungen to be allowed to treat Shanao as basically an equal rather than as her vassal since her position is of one that should command authority, so if she's not treated as a "higher level" and with respect, then others might not show her the same level of respect she deserves as a lord. Regardless, I'm glad Shanao decided to say screw all that, and tell Shungen that what was most important was them being comfortable with each other and keeping things the way they have always been because this is what they want rather than what it should be.

One thing I enjoy about Shungen is that not only can he fight, but he is also a good strategist. Although Kagetoki is frustrating to deal with from Shanao's perspective most of the time, I wish he had an IF ending too, I just think him and Yasuhira are more interesting and different since even though Tadanobu and them are good, I kinda just want guys who aren't into/revere Shanao so much already lol. This might be silly, but wouldn't it be wild if Shungen was actually the real son of Genji and Yoritomo's brother rather than Shanao? I feel like the localisation makes Yoshinaka sound more arrogant and brazen when I think he's just focused on destroying the Heike and nothing else. Shanao looked very beautiful as a shirabyoshi! Felt bad for her when Yoshinaka pinned her down but at least Shungen very easily made it clear that this isn't on. Although it's sweet that Shanao really relies on Shungen to comfort her because he understands her so well, I think their relationship as childhood friends could be better utilised for their romance. On another note, I honestly wish Yoshinaka had a route because I feel like it would be so tragic and interesting! Especially since he goes against Yoritomo and all that. But I guess he's too tyrannical? But then just because they doesn't show it as blatantly as they do for Yoshinaka doesn't mean Shigehira and Tomomori are that much better lol. Well, dang, Yoshinaka's sword is so long, he might as well be following the footsteps of Sephiroth. Honestly, the Emperor is distasteful and disgusting to force Yoshinaka and Yoritomo to fight after ruling that Yoshinaka is useless to him now. Not that I'm supporting Yoshinaka's tyrannical ways but the Emperor obviously never really cared either. I wonder if killing Yoritomo is something that will be discussed in his route? Well, I feel bad for Shanao. She just lost her whole identity and self. Not only was she rejected by the one she thought was her mother but no one aside from Shungen cared about her feelings, and yet it's hard for her to face Shungen because he is basically who she is not.

Like uhhh, what. I don't want to doubt Shungen either but just because a deer can safely go down a steep cliff doesn't mean a horse can especially when a deer is probably more light and horses are heavy and huge, and it doesn't help that a human is riding on it too, so yeah😥😥 I know they wanted to show how capable Shungen is at leading as well as his ability to increase morale but I think Shungen's abilities lie in his rationality and tactics so I think this plan is actually quite unlike him imo, but then again, I don't feel like I really know much about him because alot of his personality that has been shown up until now basically revolves around Shanao and I find him quite boring. Considering how big of a deal it is for Shungen to be the true heir of Genji alongside Yoritomo, it honestly feels anticlimactic how everything was dealt with. They literally just went it'll be okay and everything was okay lol. The ending was also expected considering their personalities, so they would never wage war against Yoritomo no matter what, knowing how much pain it would cause the citizens. But yeah, it's kinda sad that I think Shungen and Shanao's romance is rather weak because I think their CGs are the best right now! It's also saddening because they have the longest relationship with each other and yet it feels the weakest lol. I felt bad for Shungen in the tragic love ending, he planned all this hoping to live happily with Shanao but in the end, only he survived. Anyway, the other bad endings were pretty dumb imo, not worth the time.

Overall, I really wanted to like Shungen but I can see why he is quite unpopular from what I've seen. As the character with the longest relationship with Shanao, it's sad that what is shown between them is very surface level and disappointing. I think this both in regards to Shungen's character and his route. Personally, their romance was pretty shallow and I guess it was rather annoying because he kept reiterating that he wanted Shanao to have the peaceful life she wanted, which is nice but considering how smart he is, you would think that he would understand that the current situation wouldn't allow for that until much later on. Shungen's true identity was expected as we followed along the story, and I liked it but I think the execution of this whole route was rather poor. Especially the way Shungen earned respect from the other soldiers, but I think the worst was how it was such a big deal for Shanao to have this sudden identity crisis and for them to reveal that Shungen was the real brother, only to have it be so easily taken care of and accepted with a few lines lol. Honestly, I am quite disappointed and hope Yoritomo's route will be better.

[armchairarchivist]

Utagawa Hiroshige, Shirabyoshi Dancer in Asazuma Boat

[redsamuraiii]

House of the Dragon Taira

House of the Dragon Trailer Music fits well with the Japanese period drama, Taira no Kiyomori (2012), which is about Genpei War.

[kodanshamanga]

NEW Kodansha Digital:

💃The World is Dancing, Volume 2💃 By Kazuto Mihara

🎶Oniyasha never understood why people dance, much less why he was dancing in his father’s theater troupe, until his encounter with an ailing and destitute shirabyoshi dancer.

[asianartsblog]

Much like the celebrities of today, 12th century shirabyoshi dancers were stars and the chosen companions of Japan’s most powerful men. The most celebrated of all shirabyoshi is Shizuka Gozen, the concubine of the hero Minamoto no Yoshitsune. She was renowned throughout the country for extraordinary beauty and also for the power of her dancing to communicate with the gods. Join us next weekend for Saiko Kino’s entrancing contemporary work “Shizuka” in Kinetic Crossings. Learn more: https://sites.google.com/view/kinetic-crossings/home Tickets: https://theatreproject.ticketspice.com/kinetic-crossings Kinetic Crossings Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11. 8pm Baltimore Theatre Project

[ga-yuu]

They made Yoshino turn into many things 😂 night attendent, a cat, shirabyoshi, demon(my personal fav), princess and even dressed her up a boy. I'm quite surprised there isn't a maid event yet. I like that the ikegen devs are trying to do something new all the time. I really appreciate or else it would have been the same trend like other ikemen games.

I'll explain a little bit about why I decided to name the story event as a "Night Attendant" story event.

First of all, creds to my bffs Ahxia and Aki for helping me with this.

So...

There are rankings in the harem. The highest rank being the legal wife, followed by the consort, concubines, attendants etc.

This is an alternative universe event aka a "what if" event which takes place completely outside of the general ikegen plotline.

ANYWAY.

I might be wrong or my explanation is just phrased crappily but MC's role in this universe is an attendant whose "job" is to go to bed with the Shogun or a high ranking nobleman — where the man is the one who invites her to bed, not the other way.

In this universe, she is NOT their legal wife nor their "main lover". She's not considered a consort or concubine either because although those roles are not actually married to the man, they do have a certain amount of "influence" in the harem. Anyone below the concubine role has little to no power/influence.

Since she has just enough authority(?) to step foot into his bed chambers and serve him, she's at least an attendant. Which is higher than an escort or maid.

Think a lady of the night who only serves the Shogun / VERY high ranking nobleman.

So, yeah, night attendant story event is our best shot at this.

[ga-yuu]

They already did 'What if':

Yoshino is Shirabyoshi

Yoshino is Demon

Yoshino is princess

Yoshino is a cat

Yoshino is dressed as a boy

Yoshino is the male lead's soulmate

Yoshino but as a fairy tale princess (for example Cinderella, Sleeping beauty...)

Yoshino is a night attendant

Am I missing anything?🤔

Here are some more ideas:

1. Yoshino is thumbelina (ofc this is an original idea... didn't actually*ahem* stole from a certain*ahem* other ikemen game. I promise 😊)

2. Yoshino but as a little girl( *ahem ahem* this one too)

3. Yoshino but is a time traveller from the year 2023.

4. Yoshino but she the queen.

5. Yoshino but she's a samurai.

6. Yoshino is onmyoji.

7. Yoshino but she's evil.

6. Yoshino but she's a man. No cross dressing this time. Make her and actual male and make this game a full on bl ikemen game which I have always dreamed of. Come on Cybird! DO IT!

7. Yoshino but....I don't care. Make her anything. At this point even if you turn her into a tree, I'll still love her like my own child❤️❤️