Ryu Zhong's Blog - Posts Tagged "takuan-from-koto"
Sogi Zaemon, a Komuso Monk
Sogi Zaemon — that’s the name of a wandering komuso monk who traveled through Chinayindu in search of weredemons. He was accompanied on his journeys by two large wolves: one white as the first snow, and the other gray like roadside dust.
The early life of Zaemon remains mostly unknown to the readers of ‘Takuan from Koto.’ We will only say that he encountered many hardships, and among them was parting with his beloved.
However, if you want to know a little more about Zaemon, you must read his page on Makipedia.
The early life of Zaemon remains mostly unknown to the readers of ‘Takuan from Koto.’ We will only say that he encountered many hardships, and among them was parting with his beloved.
However, if you want to know a little more about Zaemon, you must read his page on Makipedia.
Qingbao, a Beautiful Maiden
The true identity of Qingbao, the one who captured the heart of the wandering komuso monk named Sogi Zaemon, remains a mystery. Fate led Qingbao and Zaemon on separate paths, and it took a considerable amount of time before fortune smiled upon the lovers.
Another fortunate coincidence was Qingbao’s striking resemblance to the late mother of Duke Bao-Zhu. Thanks to this, Qingbao found herself as a guest in the duke’s residence. It was in this garden that something happened, making the duke, perhaps for the first time in his dukey life, regret the size of his belly.
If you want to learn a little more about Qingbao, you must read her page on Makipedia.
Another fortunate coincidence was Qingbao’s striking resemblance to the late mother of Duke Bao-Zhu. Thanks to this, Qingbao found herself as a guest in the duke’s residence. It was in this garden that something happened, making the duke, perhaps for the first time in his dukey life, regret the size of his belly.
If you want to learn a little more about Qingbao, you must read her page on Makipedia.
The Jade Emperor Himself
The Jade Emperor sits on the throne, located in the heart of the Jade Palace. In his hand, he holds a jade scepter, through which he governs the three realms: the Heavens, the Earthen Realm, and the Under Realm.
In ancient times, he, along with his brother, managed to ascend to the Heavens and earned the respect of the gods. As a sign of recognition, the gods bestowed upon the Emperor the jade scepter, while his brother, the long-haired Yanwang Umma-ö, gained a rare power from the gods—the ability to travel to and from the Underworld at will.
The Emperor appointed his brother as the ruler of the nine thousand worlds hidden in the Under Realm, while he himself indulged in the courtly life. Order and tranquility reigned in all three realms, pleasing the gods whom the Jade Emperor would host lavish celebrations for in his palace.
If you want to know a little more about the Jade Emperor and his domain, you must visit the Makipedia.
In ancient times, he, along with his brother, managed to ascend to the Heavens and earned the respect of the gods. As a sign of recognition, the gods bestowed upon the Emperor the jade scepter, while his brother, the long-haired Yanwang Umma-ö, gained a rare power from the gods—the ability to travel to and from the Underworld at will.
The Emperor appointed his brother as the ruler of the nine thousand worlds hidden in the Under Realm, while he himself indulged in the courtly life. Order and tranquility reigned in all three realms, pleasing the gods whom the Jade Emperor would host lavish celebrations for in his palace.
If you want to know a little more about the Jade Emperor and his domain, you must visit the Makipedia.
Four Heavenly Kings
The Four Heavenly Kings, Tamon-ten, Jocho-ten, Jikoku-ten, and Komoku-ten, were assigned by the Jade Emperor to guard the heavens from all four directions. Tamon-ten was assigned the north, Jocho-ten the south, Jikoku-ten was directed to guard the eastern gates, and Komoku-ten the western gates.
Each King wields one of the four sacred weapons: Jocho-ten skillfully wields Jian the Thunder Sword. Tamon-ten wields Sanjiegun the Thunder Flail, Jikoku-ten wields Saitsu the Lightning Trident, and Komoku-ten wields Gun the Heavenly Pole, the weapon of the Western Dawn.
If you want to know a little more about the Heavenly Kings, you must visit the Makipedia.
Each King wields one of the four sacred weapons: Jocho-ten skillfully wields Jian the Thunder Sword. Tamon-ten wields Sanjiegun the Thunder Flail, Jikoku-ten wields Saitsu the Lightning Trident, and Komoku-ten wields Gun the Heavenly Pole, the weapon of the Western Dawn.
If you want to know a little more about the Heavenly Kings, you must visit the Makipedia.
Sung-Guan, a Boy with a Tail
Sung-Guan makes an appearance in the pages of ‘Takuan from Koto’ only towards the end of the second book, ‘Hunters of Weredemons.’ Let’s not discuss how it happened, but Sung-Guan became the victim of an unlucky sorcerer named Bricabrac, who, perhaps for the only time, found himself blessed with good fortune.
As a result, Sung-Guan acquired a long and clingy tail, as well as golden fur, resembling a mountain monkey. Along with the tail, Sung-Guan also gained the boundless energy of the celestial marten Ta-Guan, which, of course, inhabited the one who later received the name Sung-Guan.
If you want to learn a little more about Sung-Guan, you must read Makipedia.
As a result, Sung-Guan acquired a long and clingy tail, as well as golden fur, resembling a mountain monkey. Along with the tail, Sung-Guan also gained the boundless energy of the celestial marten Ta-Guan, which, of course, inhabited the one who later received the name Sung-Guan.
If you want to learn a little more about Sung-Guan, you must read Makipedia.
Nasreddin Hodja, a Muslim Trickster
Nasreddin Hodja is a character in the folklore of the Muslim world from the Balkans to China, and a hero of humorous short stories and satirical anecdotes.
He is portrayed as a wise fool, clever simpleton, or instructive prankster.
The oldest manuscript of Nasreddin dates to 1571, which is coincidental with both ‘Journey to the West’ and the first chapbook about Till Eulenspiegel. Moreover, Nasreddin frequently is compared with this northern European trickster.
If you want to learn a bit more about how Nasreddin Hodja and Takuan related, you must visit Nasreddin’s page on Makipedia.
He is portrayed as a wise fool, clever simpleton, or instructive prankster.
The oldest manuscript of Nasreddin dates to 1571, which is coincidental with both ‘Journey to the West’ and the first chapbook about Till Eulenspiegel. Moreover, Nasreddin frequently is compared with this northern European trickster.
If you want to learn a bit more about how Nasreddin Hodja and Takuan related, you must visit Nasreddin’s page on Makipedia.
Brer Rabbit, an Afro-American Trickster
Brer (Brother) Rabbit is a central figure in an oral tradition passed down by African-Americans of the Southern United States and African descendants in the Caribbean, notably Afro-Bahamians and Turks and Caicos Islanders.
He is a trickster who succeeds by his wits rather than by brawn, provoking authority figures and bending social mores as he sees fit.
He’s one of the secondary references for Takuan, who also relies on his wits and provokes all sort of authorities from city guard to governors to princes.
If you want to know a little more about the origins of the Brer Rabbit himself, you must read his page on Makipedia.
He is a trickster who succeeds by his wits rather than by brawn, provoking authority figures and bending social mores as he sees fit.
He’s one of the secondary references for Takuan, who also relies on his wits and provokes all sort of authorities from city guard to governors to princes.
If you want to know a little more about the origins of the Brer Rabbit himself, you must read his page on Makipedia.
Hercule Flambeau, Chesterton’s Trickster
Hercule Flambeau is a fictional character created by English novelist G. K. Chesterton, who appears in 48 short stories about the character Father Brown. A master criminal, his surname ‘Flambeau’ is an alias, the French word for a flaming torch.
Flambeau himself lives to his alias by committing his crimes in daring manner, acting right under the nose of police. Takuan inherits this trait: his tricks are not the ones that are done at night, but the ones that are done in plain sight.
It has been suggested that Agatha Christie’s famous detective Hercule Poirot was inspired by the character.
If you want to know a little more about Flambeau and his connection with Takuan, you must visit his page on Makipedia.
Flambeau himself lives to his alias by committing his crimes in daring manner, acting right under the nose of police. Takuan inherits this trait: his tricks are not the ones that are done at night, but the ones that are done in plain sight.
It has been suggested that Agatha Christie’s famous detective Hercule Poirot was inspired by the character.
If you want to know a little more about Flambeau and his connection with Takuan, you must visit his page on Makipedia.
Robert Lynn Asprin and Another Fine Myth
Robert Lynn Asprin was an American science fiction and fantasy author and active fan, known best for his humorous series ‘MythAdventures’ and ‘Phule’s Company’. His books are noted for and popular for their whimsical nature, myriad characters, and liberal use of puns.
The ‘Myth Adventures’ series is fast-moving story full of action, the characters are colourful and vocal. It is a perfect example of light and humorous fantasy, the genre in which ‘Takuan’s Adventures’ also written.
In a small part, Takuan borrows some features from Skeeve, the main character of ‘Myth Adventures’. Though his reason to leave the Mount White monastery is not a tragedy but a simple boredom.
To know a little bit more about Asprin’s connection to Takuan, you must visit the Makipedia.
The ‘Myth Adventures’ series is fast-moving story full of action, the characters are colourful and vocal. It is a perfect example of light and humorous fantasy, the genre in which ‘Takuan’s Adventures’ also written.
In a small part, Takuan borrows some features from Skeeve, the main character of ‘Myth Adventures’. Though his reason to leave the Mount White monastery is not a tragedy but a simple boredom.
To know a little bit more about Asprin’s connection to Takuan, you must visit the Makipedia.
