Those who are waiting on their opponent, or have already done their bouts are free to hang around in this meditative environment. Just watch for tainted dreams

Kinsen is there with a smile on her face as she is content that her son has indeed grown up to be a man of respect and honor like few in the Empire.

--
PM to chat

In-between bouts, Hikaru would take a few minutes, sometimes standing around in a semi-relaxed pose, sometimes taking a few moments to splash his face with cold water. Even these more relaxed practice sessions were tiring, after all.

Still, despite the many terrible revelations of the day, he seemed somewhat less strained than usual. His expression was more thoughtful, less worried, as he waited for another bout.

Kakita quietly waited off to the side after his bout with Hikaru…

Hantei Kinsen wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 29, 2021 1:58 pm

Kinsen is there with a smile on her face as she is content that her son has indeed grown up to be a man of respect and honor like few in the Empire.

--
PM to chat

As she walked away from the demonstration to where she could observe, the Spider Sentinel stopped where Kinsen stood. "Your son is a worthy opponent." A small smile, before bowing, "Father sends his regards."

Kakita’s eyes glanced over towards the woman called Matsu.

That is Mayumi’s idol… Unpolished… but a fine warrior.

Hisomu Matsu wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:06 pm

As she walked away from the demonstration to where she could observe, the Spider Sentinel stopped where Kinsen stood. "Your son is a worthy opponent." A small smile, before bowing, "Father sends his regards."

Kinsen can't help but to notice the massive arrival with a heads up to meet the Spider's gaze. She smiles as her son gets a compliment and replies, "I am honored for such praise, Hisomu-san. He's indeed our Shining Prince."

The Stag looks once more at her young boy –– at least in her mother's mind –– and says, "Your father and I have to settle this Last Noriaki title some day."

She chuckles, amused at the thought of meeting with Yamadono once again.

Kawauso was among the attendees, though most of her focus seemed to be on Genji throughout the evening. After the occasional serious blow she would make a face, then look around for a distraction.

----------
Quote or PM if you notice the slightly distressed looking Lion.

"Heh sorry about that," Satsuki chuckled to Genji after their bout. She had given him a pretty solid hit to the head.

"No worries Satsu-chan. I'll make a duelist out of you yet." Genji was through several opponents now, bowing and smiling at each one with respect. He did seem to be slowly warming up, as he took off the top of his kimono, placing it on a nearby tree.

"Okay, who's up next?"

Hantei Kinsen wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:37 pm

Kinsen can't help but to notice the massive arrival with a heads up to meet the Spider's gaze. She smiles as her son gets a compliment and replies, "I am honored for such praise, Hisomu-san. He's indeed our Shining Prince."

The Stag looks once more at her young boy –– at least in her mother's mind –– and says, "Your father and I have to settle this Last Noriaki title some day."

She chuckles, amused at the thought of meeting with Yamadono once again.

"Days are getting shorter. He still yet has his strength, and I pray that Bishamon continue to bless him each day. But he is only a man, a mountain he may be." She spoke softly, hand still clutching the bokken. "To this day, even married again, he still is Noriaki no Yamadono. Then the name is gone." Her eyes looked down to meet Kinsen's own golden hued ones.

Letting her poor cousin be free to get beaten up by someone else, Satsuki took some time to catch her breath and listen to what was going on around her.

Kinsen's and Matsu's conversation for now at least had her ear.

Hisomu Matsu wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 29, 2021 5:46 pm

"Days are getting shorter. He still yet has his strength, and I pray that Bishamon continue to bless him each day. But he is only a man, a mountain he may be." She spoke softly, hand still clutching the bokken. "To this day, even married again, he still is Noriaki no Yamadono. Then the name is gone." Her eyes looked down to meet Kinsen's own golden hued ones.

She smirks. "I have no doubt he has the strength. The chief of the mountain, after all, is a powerful name to have been given. Nowdays the trend is rather different since you kids can choose your names after gempukku," that comes with eyes being rolled in the back of the head.

A sigh, "Alright. I should propose that challenge to your father. Whomever lives longer is the Last of the Noriaki."

"I don't know if it's much of a challenge." She watched the Hantei for a long moment. "My half siblings are Ongaku. You are the Hantei Queen. The tribe is long since dead." There wasn't a challenge in her voice, more just an account of what she knows.

"He is an old man of an old, dead world. We march forward in this new, young one. Once he is at peace, the past is dead. We'll always remember who he was, and the life he led. But our focus should be what we are now, no?"

"It's an interesting fighting style," Yoshitsune Chizu commented to whomever was nearby, tossing her bokken aside as she stepped back from the area that had been cleared for iaijutsu matches. "Does it work outside of court settings, though? It seems really specialized for one-on-one fights."

Yoshitsune Chizu wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 29, 2021 8:54 pm

"It's an interesting fighting style," Yoshitsune Chizu commented to whomever was nearby, tossing her bokken aside as she stepped back from the area that had been cleared for iaijutsu matches. "Does it work outside of court settings, though? It seems really specialized for one-on-one fights."

Hikaru was close enough to take an interest.

"If your strike is good enough." He said, inclining his head. "Thus, we must continue to practice, and continue our skills."

Kakita also nodded at Hikaru’s comment, “The practice of Iai enables one to connect with the rhythms that surround them in the world… In a battle, victory is in knowing the rhythms of your various opponents, and in using a rhythm your opponent will be unable to grasp. Find that rhythm and you can cut anything.”

Doji Hikaru wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 29, 2021 9:17 pm

"If your strike is good enough." He said, inclining his head. "Thus, we must continue to practice, and continue our skills."

Kakita wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 29, 2021 9:22 pm

Kakita also nodded at Hikaru’s comment, “The practice of Iai enables one to connect with the rhythms that surround them in the world… In a battle, victory is in knowing the rhythms of your various opponents, and in using a rhythm your opponent will be unable to grasp. Find that rhythm and you can cut anything.”

"How does that work if you are, say, in a skirmish with bandits?" Chizu asked curiously. "It doesn't seem like less-honorable opponents would follow the structure of a duel, especially if they have numbers. Please forgive my ignorance - this style is not something I am very familiar with."

He nodded, “In any battle it can be easy to become excited to the point that one loses clarity of mind. Mastering the principles of Iai teaches one the importance of finding one’s center. Once you have your center… then whether the opponent is one or many, you can identify the best way to combat the problem.”

He paused, “The formalized nature of this combat is meant to bring into full expression the refinement of one’s soul and its connection with the sword… but in more ‘informal’ settings the importance of efficient and thorough strikes remains relevant.”

Hikaru nodded, smiling gently. "If nothing else, being able to draw and cut in one motion may be the distance between life and death in a situation that suddenly becomes deadly."

He bowed to the one of the two that he didn't know. "My name is Doji Hikaru. May I know your name, Crab-san?" He asked politely.