Apr. 17th, 2014 02:52 pm
Tenchu ~Yami no Shiokinin~: Drama Notes
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earth_colorsHere are some notes from the drama, Tenchu ~Yami no Shiokinin~:
Female Ninja or Shinobi. There are legends and tales of female shinobi or "kunoichi" during the Warring States (Sengoku) Period, most particularly that of Mochizuki Chiyome (frankly, it may have an entry in wiki but it does not mean it's confirmed so basically I treat these as just legends). Mochizuki is said to be a "Japanese noblewoman of the 16th century who was credited with creating an all-female group of ninja". Legend has it that she recruited girls who were orphaned in the wars during the Sengoku Period, and were secretly trained to "become highly efficient information gatherers and verifiers, seductresses, messengers and when necessary, assassins. (...) Eventually, Chiyome and her kunoichi had set up an extensive network of some 200-300 agents that served the Takeda clan."
(Info: wiki1, wiki2)
Sengoku period. The Sengoku period (c. 1467 – c. 1573) is "a period in Japanese history marked by social upheaval, political intrigue and near-constant military conflict." It is also known as the Warring States period. Basically, despite the existence of a monarchy, there is an absence of a strong central authority, and states are in constant war with each other led by their ruling clan and warlords or "daimyo". This period ended "with a series of three warlords, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who gradually unified Japan."
(info: wiki)
Kuji-in. Ku-ji simply means " 'nine syllables', and refers to a variety of mantras that consist of nine syllables." In Japanese, the nine syllables are: Rin (臨), Hyō (兵), Tō (闘), Sha (者), Kai (皆), Jin (陣), Retsu (列), Zai (在), Zen (前). Depending on one's religious practice or discipline, these symbols have different meanings. In Ninjutsu, it means, Rin - Strength, Pyō / Hyō - Channel, Tō - Harmony, Sha - Healing, Kai - Sense of Danger, Jin - Reading of thoughts, Retsu - Control space and time, Zai - sky or elements control, Zen - enlightenment.
(info: wiki) (pic: mongolian-tiger)
Ishu or Iga Province. "Ishu" is the abbreviated name of Iga Province, "located in what is today part of western Mie Prefecture." During the early Muromachi period, "Iga became effectively independent from its nominal feudal rulers and established a form of republic. During this period, Iga came to be known as a center for ninjutsu, claiming (along with Kōka in what is now Shiga Prefecture) to being one of the birthplaces of the ninja clans." Pic above is that of Iga-Ueno Castle.
(info/pic: wiki)
Kunai. The kunai was used by "common folk as multi-purpose gardening tools and by workers of stone and masonry. (...) It is a good example of a very basic tool which, in the hands of a martial arts expert, could be used as a multi-functional weapon. It is commonly associated with the ninja, who used it to gouge holes in walls."
(info/pic: wiki)
Yumi Kaoru. Masako told Sana she seemed like "Yumi Kaori" of Mito Komon. In that show, Yumi is famous for her recurring role of ninja warrior, Ogin, as well as for her many bathtub scenes.
(info: wiki) (pic: goudai)
Snack Bar Tenshukaku. The theme of Mitsuko's bar is that of a nobility, and castle. That's why when guests arrive, they are welcomed like a royal person or a nobleman. A tenshukaku or tenshu is "the central tower or main keep of a Japanese castle. It is the most defining feature of the Japanese castle." The "open" sign of the bar is says "Kaimon" [開門] which means "opening gate." When closed, the sign says "Rōjō-chū" or "castle under siege" or "locked down" [籠城中].
Gon. Masako calls her daughter-in-law a "YomeGon". "Gon" is taken from a quick-tempered little dinosaur manga character created by Tanaka Masashi. In the video version Tekken 3, Gon is depicted with the ability to spit fireballs and emit toxic farts.
Hida beef. Not much objective info is available on this except for promotional articles. "Hida gyu" is the specific name given to "beef from black-haired Japanese cattle that have been raised in Gifu Prefecture for at least 14 months. Hida Beef must be confirmed and certified as Yield Score of Grade A or B by the Hida Beef Brand Promotion Conference, and have a Firmness and Texture Grade of 5, 4 or 3, as per the Japan Meat Grading Association’s grading system."
(info: hidagyujapan)
Tehepero. A buzzword created by voice actress Hikasa Yoko (voice of Mio in K-On). "Tehe" is a shy giggle (tee-hee) to make up for an embarrassing moment, while "pero" is onomatopoeia when sticking your tongue out. Often associated as a "kawaii" or cute way of saying, "Tee-hee, I goofed up" *sticks tongue out*. For added kawaiiness, you can also add a V-sign and a wink (pls don't lol). It even has its own emoticon: (・ω<)
(info: bangin)
Female Ninja or Shinobi. There are legends and tales of female shinobi or "kunoichi" during the Warring States (Sengoku) Period, most particularly that of Mochizuki Chiyome (frankly, it may have an entry in wiki but it does not mean it's confirmed so basically I treat these as just legends). Mochizuki is said to be a "Japanese noblewoman of the 16th century who was credited with creating an all-female group of ninja". Legend has it that she recruited girls who were orphaned in the wars during the Sengoku Period, and were secretly trained to "become highly efficient information gatherers and verifiers, seductresses, messengers and when necessary, assassins. (...) Eventually, Chiyome and her kunoichi had set up an extensive network of some 200-300 agents that served the Takeda clan."
(Info: wiki1, wiki2)
Sengoku period. The Sengoku period (c. 1467 – c. 1573) is "a period in Japanese history marked by social upheaval, political intrigue and near-constant military conflict." It is also known as the Warring States period. Basically, despite the existence of a monarchy, there is an absence of a strong central authority, and states are in constant war with each other led by their ruling clan and warlords or "daimyo". This period ended "with a series of three warlords, Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who gradually unified Japan."
(info: wiki)
Kuji-in. Ku-ji simply means " 'nine syllables', and refers to a variety of mantras that consist of nine syllables." In Japanese, the nine syllables are: Rin (臨), Hyō (兵), Tō (闘), Sha (者), Kai (皆), Jin (陣), Retsu (列), Zai (在), Zen (前). Depending on one's religious practice or discipline, these symbols have different meanings. In Ninjutsu, it means, Rin - Strength, Pyō / Hyō - Channel, Tō - Harmony, Sha - Healing, Kai - Sense of Danger, Jin - Reading of thoughts, Retsu - Control space and time, Zai - sky or elements control, Zen - enlightenment.
(info: wiki) (pic: mongolian-tiger)
Ishu or Iga Province. "Ishu" is the abbreviated name of Iga Province, "located in what is today part of western Mie Prefecture." During the early Muromachi period, "Iga became effectively independent from its nominal feudal rulers and established a form of republic. During this period, Iga came to be known as a center for ninjutsu, claiming (along with Kōka in what is now Shiga Prefecture) to being one of the birthplaces of the ninja clans." Pic above is that of Iga-Ueno Castle.
(info/pic: wiki)
Kunai. The kunai was used by "common folk as multi-purpose gardening tools and by workers of stone and masonry. (...) It is a good example of a very basic tool which, in the hands of a martial arts expert, could be used as a multi-functional weapon. It is commonly associated with the ninja, who used it to gouge holes in walls."
(info/pic: wiki)
Yumi Kaoru. Masako told Sana she seemed like "Yumi Kaori" of Mito Komon. In that show, Yumi is famous for her recurring role of ninja warrior, Ogin, as well as for her many bathtub scenes.
(info: wiki) (pic: goudai)
Snack Bar Tenshukaku. The theme of Mitsuko's bar is that of a nobility, and castle. That's why when guests arrive, they are welcomed like a royal person or a nobleman. A tenshukaku or tenshu is "the central tower or main keep of a Japanese castle. It is the most defining feature of the Japanese castle." The "open" sign of the bar is says "Kaimon" [開門] which means "opening gate." When closed, the sign says "Rōjō-chū" or "castle under siege" or "locked down" [籠城中].
Gon. Masako calls her daughter-in-law a "YomeGon". "Gon" is taken from a quick-tempered little dinosaur manga character created by Tanaka Masashi. In the video version Tekken 3, Gon is depicted with the ability to spit fireballs and emit toxic farts.
Hida beef. Not much objective info is available on this except for promotional articles. "Hida gyu" is the specific name given to "beef from black-haired Japanese cattle that have been raised in Gifu Prefecture for at least 14 months. Hida Beef must be confirmed and certified as Yield Score of Grade A or B by the Hida Beef Brand Promotion Conference, and have a Firmness and Texture Grade of 5, 4 or 3, as per the Japan Meat Grading Association’s grading system."
(info: hidagyujapan)
Hiroshi desu. Those who watched Amachan are familiar with the line "Hiroshi desu." For an explanation, refer here.
Oshikura Manju. A children's game often played indoors during cold weather to keep warm, channel off restless energy, and help pass the time. Wiki says: "The players first gather around in a circle, as close to each other as possible. They face the outside, standing back to back with each other. When the game starts, the players powerfully shove backwards, pressing their backs towards other players' backs as they chant 'Oshikura Manju osarete nakuna', meaning 'Oshikura Manju doesn't cry even when shoved'."
(info: wiki) (pic: snappy)
(info: wiki) (pic: snappy)
Tehepero. A buzzword created by voice actress Hikasa Yoko (voice of Mio in K-On). "Tehe" is a shy giggle (tee-hee) to make up for an embarrassing moment, while "pero" is onomatopoeia when sticking your tongue out. Often associated as a "kawaii" or cute way of saying, "Tee-hee, I goofed up" *sticks tongue out*. For added kawaiiness, you can also add a V-sign and a wink (pls don't lol). It even has its own emoticon: (・ω<)
(info: bangin)
The dolls that Mitsuko asked for: (with pics above from left to right)
Sarubobo. It literally translates as "little monkey". It is a "Japanese amulet, particularly associated with the town of Takayama in Gifu Prefecture. Sarubobos are red human-shaped dolls, with no facial features, made in a variety of sizes. Traditionally, sarubobos are made by grandmothers for their grandchildren as dolls, and for their daughters as a charm for good marriage, good children and to ensure a well-rounded couple."
Ekeko. It is the "god of abundance and prosperity in the Pre-Columbian mythology and folklore of the people from the Andean Altiplano. (...) The Ekeko is a traditional god of luck and prosperity, popular in Bolivia, Peru, and neighboring regions, like northern Argentina and northern Chile."
Bojobo. Good luck dolls that originated in Saipan, and are made of coconut fiber and husks. Acc. to wanderlustontheracks, Bojobo dolls are "always sold in pairs, a male and a female" and one can "entwine the dolls according to what you wish for, hang them in a place where you can see them often and believe in your wish."
(info/pics: 1, 2, 3)
Sarubobo. It literally translates as "little monkey". It is a "Japanese amulet, particularly associated with the town of Takayama in Gifu Prefecture. Sarubobos are red human-shaped dolls, with no facial features, made in a variety of sizes. Traditionally, sarubobos are made by grandmothers for their grandchildren as dolls, and for their daughters as a charm for good marriage, good children and to ensure a well-rounded couple."
Ekeko. It is the "god of abundance and prosperity in the Pre-Columbian mythology and folklore of the people from the Andean Altiplano. (...) The Ekeko is a traditional god of luck and prosperity, popular in Bolivia, Peru, and neighboring regions, like northern Argentina and northern Chile."
Bojobo. Good luck dolls that originated in Saipan, and are made of coconut fiber and husks. Acc. to wanderlustontheracks, Bojobo dolls are "always sold in pairs, a male and a female" and one can "entwine the dolls according to what you wish for, hang them in a place where you can see them often and believe in your wish."
(info/pics: 1, 2, 3)
