Ei. Wa. Chi. (Honor. Harmony. Knowledge.)

On the WK list today, someone asked for information on Japanese armor. Someone else posted "Isn't this a pre-1600 Western European Middle Ages/Renaissance Recreation Group? or Am I on the armor from anywhere/anytime list? ...., talk them out of it!.."

I know better than to step into the sty and wrestle this particular pig. He enjoys it. And who wants muddy hems anyway?

He will never know what I know: the Nihonjin of the SCA that I have had the honor to meet are each alone worth a thousand other men. I would  not be in the SCA at all were it not for Sir Tanaka Raiko. I would not have thought about portraying (if only part time) a Japanese if it were not for Fujimaki Tosaburou Hidetora and Fujiwara no Aoi. I certainly wouldn't be doing it five years later all alone in The Most Eurocentric Place In The Known World were it not for many, many other people who inspire me and keep me searching.

Because they are worth repeating as often as possible, I offer the wise words of Otagiri Tatsuzou.

"It has been said by some that the warriors of the Heavenly Kingdom do not belong on the Field of Honor.
(Samurai do not belong in the lists)

The Three Vows of Honour

I vow to honor my foe and call his blows fairly and trust that he is fair in turn
I vow to honor my chosen ancestors, to learn well their weapons and the manner in which they wield them.
I vow to honor my hosts, to learn well their weapons and the manner in which they wield them.
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It has been said by some that the warriors of the Orient do not act like guests among us and upset the tranquility of the Kingdom.
(Samurai do not act like guests)
(Samurai mar my medieval groove)

The Three Vows of Harmony

I vow to remember that I am a guest within this society and show gratitude for the hospice.
I vow to keep my arms, armour, and dress suitable to my station.
I vow to show respect to the King, the Peers of the Realm, the Nobles and Barons, and all the populace of the Kingdom.
-------------------
The Three Vows of Knowledge

I vow to learn deeply of the ways and customs of my chosen ancestors
- to honor, cherish, and emulate them.
I vow to learn deeply of the ways and customs of my hosts
- to honor, cherish, and emulate them.
I vow to share what I learn to those who wish to know but never preach to those who do not."

Chant it with me, children.
Ei. Wa. Chi.
Ei. Wa. Chi.
Ei. Wa. Chi.

Meme idea

Pick a word. Find quotes about it. Post quotes about it you like. (Thanks for this idea to moira_ramsay.)

If Beethoven had been killed in a plane crash at the age of 22, it would have changed the history of music...and of aviation. - Tom Stoppard.

The whole problem can be stated quite simply by asking, 'Is there a meaning to music?' My answer would be, 'Yes.' And 'Can you state in so many words what the meaning is?' My answer to that would be, 'No.'         - Aaron Copland.

I don't know anything about music. In my line you don't have to. - Elvis Presley
 
Music with dinner is an insult both to the cook and the violinist. - G.K. Chesterton

Of all noises, I think music is the least disagreeable. - Samuel Johnson

Hell is full of musical amateurs. - George Bernard Shaw

Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence. - Robert Fripp

Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here! - Albus Dumbledore in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

If music be the food of love, play on:
Give me excess of it, that, surfeiting,
The appetite may sicken and so die.
That strain again! it had a dying fall: '
O, it came o'er my ear like the sweet sound
That breathes upon a bank of violets,
Stealing and giving odour! - William Shakespeare

One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. - Bob Marley

A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song. - Chinese proverb

If you want to make a song more hummy, add a few tiddely poms. - Winnie the Pooh.

Let us go singing as far as we go; the road will be less tedious. - Virgil