An empty sky hung heavy upon the weary East below. Once-gold fields now wilted brown and the season’s yield left for pigs to guzzle. Yet, some miles away, the absent stars were replaced with fires shining brighter than the sun and loud shouts of merriment filling the evening air. Joy and wonder danced upon the winds, spreading cheer. There was no mistaking those happy lights in the quiet Orient: the Kambutsu festival in Kina was beginning!
Bright fires danced to the rhythm of booming drums; cherry trees swayed along with the strings of a shamisen. The cheer of music touched even the heavens above, breaking the silent sky into song. This was no quiet religious ceremony, but an explosive time of celebration.
The blur of orange fires, posters lit red and brown bamboo whizzed over the heads of excited children, gaping in awe at the many wonders around. Over here, a girl shrieks in delight as she catches a squirming koi. Her father searches frantically in his empty pockets for spare change to please his impatient daughter. Over there, a grandma treats her son to some takoyaki hot off the griddle. Tempting wafts of melting fat burn the nostrils of starving customers like some elusive dragon. These savoury aromas mingle with the greasy sweetness of dango, enticing the drooling youths to waste their money on over-priced goods.
But eventually, just like the supply of takoyaki, the festival finished for the day. As the moon deigned to grace the night sky, the festival-goers began leaving in trickles and droves until the vendors and their stalls were left alone. Then even they packed up shop and took their leave. Only the light of the fires remained.
Upon a distant balcony, furnished with expensive draperies and carpets, a man decked in gold stared at those same fires. His brows furrowed intensely as the young aide by his side whispered some news into his ear and politely gestured him towards the double doors behind. Inside lay a low-legged table decorated with jade and bright ivory whereat sat five richly-dressed figures. Their gazes fell upon this man as he took his seat, their expressions as varied as the clothes they wore. Some bowed their heads in respect, others openly sneered. But he paid them no mind, and he began to speak,
‘There is no need to explain why we are gathered here, my dear daimyos. You all know how dire our situation has become. As such, it is time we settle this matter a final time.’
‘It is time to settle the fate of Kina.’
Bright fires danced to the rhythm of booming drums; cherry trees swayed along with the strings of a shamisen. The cheer of music touched even the heavens above, breaking the silent sky into song. This was no quiet religious ceremony, but an explosive time of celebration.
The blur of orange fires, posters lit red and brown bamboo whizzed over the heads of excited children, gaping in awe at the many wonders around. Over here, a girl shrieks in delight as she catches a squirming koi. Her father searches frantically in his empty pockets for spare change to please his impatient daughter. Over there, a grandma treats her son to some takoyaki hot off the griddle. Tempting wafts of melting fat burn the nostrils of starving customers like some elusive dragon. These savoury aromas mingle with the greasy sweetness of dango, enticing the drooling youths to waste their money on over-priced goods.
But eventually, just like the supply of takoyaki, the festival finished for the day. As the moon deigned to grace the night sky, the festival-goers began leaving in trickles and droves until the vendors and their stalls were left alone. Then even they packed up shop and took their leave. Only the light of the fires remained.
Upon a distant balcony, furnished with expensive draperies and carpets, a man decked in gold stared at those same fires. His brows furrowed intensely as the young aide by his side whispered some news into his ear and politely gestured him towards the double doors behind. Inside lay a low-legged table decorated with jade and bright ivory whereat sat five richly-dressed figures. Their gazes fell upon this man as he took his seat, their expressions as varied as the clothes they wore. Some bowed their heads in respect, others openly sneered. But he paid them no mind, and he began to speak,
‘There is no need to explain why we are gathered here, my dear daimyos. You all know how dire our situation has become. As such, it is time we settle this matter a final time.’
‘It is time to settle the fate of Kina.’