[D2 MM] Why? When? How? (Expecting)

[Doji Yuma]

Fresh out of his morning ablutions, not dressed anything special, Yuma walked to the shrine to see with his own eyes what this was all about, instead of relying on rumors.

The scenery was as he has been told. Not on the subtle side but not much weirder than any other shrine. Not weirder than the willingly damaged and trapped road heading to Benten Seido for example. And not nearly as gaudy as the average Daikoku temple actually.

He went in search of someone who could tell him more about all this.

[Aji]

He was stopped by Kuni priests on the way and tested for purity before he arrived at the shrine. The nuns and monks were out preparing the pyre for burning and decorating the shrine for the festivities.

“Samurai-sama, how can we be of service,” a nun said as he grew near.

[Doji Yuma]

Yuma bowed appropriately:

"Good morning ama-sama. Doji Yuma, of the Crane.

I'm a bit curious about this shrine history actually. Would it be possible for you to enlighten me on that subject?"

[Aji]

"I would be honored, what do you wish to know? When it began or the customs involved?" she replied.

[Doji Yuma]

"Let's start with the beginning: When was the shrine built, in honor of who, and is there particular reason for it to be in this specific location?"

[Aji]

The nun smiled and said, “Well the Earthy Pepper Festival dates back generations in this region. There was a Lord that ruled here who desired an heir, but he was barren of seed and could not father a child, so sad. So, his wife beseeched the Fortunes for aid on this very spot and they demanded an offering of her. She erected the first of the stone phalluses and over a period of five years until the Fortunes were pleased.”

“The following winter he was blessed with an heir by his honored wife and thus the people honored this with a festival in the Spring and bring offerings here to be burned and pray for fertility and many healthy children. The Procession of Earthly Peppers is the center of the event where offerings are carried by the worthy to the fire and offered to the Fortunes.”

She finished with, “Plus it is a beautiful place, lovers and couples come here to enjoy the view of the sea.”

[Doji Yuma]

Yuma nodded. The story was all in all quite classical.

"So this shrine is not dedicated to any Fortune in particular? Is it used for religious services outside this particular festival?"

[Aji]

"Correct," she said warmly.

"But many come here for reasons of fertility or safe and happy births."

[Doji Yuma]

Yuma nodded again then asked another question going through his mind.

"Out of curiosity is it the only shrine in the village or do the nobles have their own personal one in the castle? If not, I guess the upcoming wedding ceremony will also happen here?"

[Aji]

“The Castle has a family shrine, but it is my understanding the wedding will be held here and we are elated to be involved with such a union. We will do our best to make this a wonderful day, Doji-sama,” she replied.

“By the by, if you have need of putting some pepper in your phallus I have some remedies that work quite well. Or massage techniques.”

[Doji Yuma]

Yuma blinked a few times at the sudden last remark but it didn't alter his mood more than that:

"I'll pass but thanks for offering.

Could you give me more in depth explanations on what is expected of us for today's ceremony? People seem overly focus on the fact it has to been done in our underwear to the point they forget to talk about everything else, like the road we will have to take, if there are specific prayers to be uttered and specific gestures to make etc."

[Aji]

“The procession will utter a sacred chant and carry the offering from the village to the bonfire. Some groups may dance on their way up others don’t, it is very much what you make of it. The Fortunes are pleased that the journey is made and blessed fertility will come to those who honor the shrine,” she said in response.

[Doji Yuma]

"Okay not a very strict ceremony then. It's more the act than the manner that matters."

[Aji]

“Of course, it is the act ion that matters not so much the rote ceremony. This nun looks forward to seeing the mighty Doji hoist the offering up into the flames! It will be good to see so many visitors enjoying our local traditions, and hopefully they will be willing to leave some offerings for the shrine,” she said sweetly.

[Doji Yuma]

"Some might. Though... From an external point of view, the shrine seems already quite prosperous, and sacred places with a good reputation at fixing usual life problems tend to have a stable income already. What would you even do with the money if people started throwing koku around this afternoon?"

[Aji]

"Assist the poor, make repairs, and commission more statues," she said honestly.

[Doji Yuma]

"Oh yes. I hadn't realize it before but, if you're the only religious establishment in the city, I guess you also have to act as orphanage, canteen, hospital for the poor? That must be a lot of work.

Actually, did the region suffer from the many years of conflicts? It seems remote at first glance, but war tends to creep its way far from the front."

[Aji]

“The beaches are stained red with blood, well metaphorically. This wedding is supposed to bring an end to conflict between Fuboshi’s house and that of the Crane lineage of Daidoji Yushoko. There are many old stories of conflicts including that of Doji Bujeihime and Hida Gusari,” she responded.

[Doji Yuma]

"Oh. Sorry. I've heard of it but I might have underestimated the scope and the violence of this conflict. People are not keen to talk about it in detail for fear of reviving old tensions. Which is probably a wise choice... But does leave those not already in the known prone to mistakes."

[Aji]

"This one would be surprised if you knew of our troubles this far from your home, Doji-sama," she replied with a chuckle.

"I certainly know little of the lands of the Crane."

[Doji Yuma]

"Maybe. But you don't plan to travel to Crane lands in the near future either do you?

So. Unusual fertility festival. Bloody and still fresh century-long conflict. Any other particularity about that place I should know of before it becomes an issue?

Like a special diet to respect on some specific day of the year to commemorate some important local event, a subject one should not talk about if they do not wish to trigger a fight, a de facto taboo on some color that is said to bring in back luck? Or are we good on that front?"

[Aji]

"I do not think so, Crane-sama, nothing so strange," she admitted.