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Post by scholar on Apr 15, 2009 22:16:13 GMT -5
"All the world is a stage. People are merely players, they have their entrances and exits. [and] In one's time a man plays many parts"
-William Shakespeare
Heralded as the palace of lush tapestries and golden furniture the palace of the Kakizaki was known through out the land. Staged in Dewa it is among the grandest palaces in all of Japan seconded only by one castle in Sagami and another in Kyushu. It took several generations to fill out these halls with decorations so vibrant and pungent to the eyes that even the souls of men quake in their earthly vessels. The Kakizaki renounced their claims for all things but the betterment of humanity. Held as fools and heretics they were banished to the corner of the state, yet even here they rose to prominence and now have the most splendid of palaces.
Visitors to the Palace:
St. Vincent Millay of Lorraine
Pedro XIV of Portugal
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Post by scholar on Apr 17, 2009 16:53:16 GMT -5
The Palace as seen through the eyes of St. Vincent Millay:
"The very journey to this place took days, far from the port at Nagasaki. We traveled by day and slept at night in most homely homes. We were treated with suspicion and malicious deeds on our trek. Even the grace of God must forsake the lands of Kanto. But when we started to arrive into Dewa the atmosphere changed, while in Mutsu we were not treated with suspicion and more that of intrigue in Dewa we were treated as honored guests of the house. The... Kakizaki, a name though hard to pronounce that I will never forget. We arrived into three small villages as we passed through. A man came to accompany us. His name was Suehiro, he said he was of the Kakizaki family. I was shocked and amazed at the respect the people showed him, and in turn how much he gave to us as well. We asked if he was christian but he shied away stating he had not yet found the path of any religion. But I said that only god could endow such grace upon him and his family. But he told me of the banishment and labeling of his family across the islands of Japan. I gave my condolences but he was a true gentleman and told us it was un-necessary. When we finally arrived to the city of Matsumae I was dumbfounded. Except for the people and their looks it resembled that of a town a ways off of Paris. Awestruck we were showed much hospitality even in the streets.
When we finally arrived at the palace the stairs were finely polished and extended like a great presence for nearly a the length of a large street. After passing through a traditional shrine gate and several checkpoints which greeted us with smiles. The world in which they lived in was truly remarkable, reminiscent of royal blood. When the stairs were finally coming to a close we were confronted with an even greater sight. An open hallway extending for over five hundred metres, and ten tall. Flowing drapes of purple and blue blew in the wind. I felt as if I was visiting the Holy Emperor of Rome. My tongue was caught and unable to move. Just as my mouth lay open. "
First letter to the Pope, 1467
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Post by scholar on Apr 18, 2009 21:15:18 GMT -5
As seen through the eyes of Pedro XIV of Portugal.
"I am one of the people of noble birth in Portugal, I came here in search of fame. Fame of course is a word that refers to trade and money. For years now we have traded here with the Japanese, yet everywhere we turned we were greeted with hostility. Those few that did not, just barely tolerated us. I am a man of great prominence, and to see these rats show no respect at all is an outrage. I was all ready to leave before I got word from one of my slaves, I have several at the time, that there was a grand place to the north that would treat us fairly. I practically wanted him dead when he used the word "us" likening us both in the same group. But we still trudged onward. Carried in a carriage with my attendants driving and the slaves on foot.
Along the way I heard rumors stating that there was a christian damo or daiko dayo or whatever it's called. I laughed at the thought of it. Finding the way there wasn't hard either. Just ask were the grand palace in the north is. Even the peasants know where it is, which must count for something, because when I asked which place was the capital all they could tell me was somewhere down south or to the west depending on our shifting location. I guess the capital does not house the true King.
On my way I found this drabby looking fellow with blue eyes. This was the first blue eyed man In all my time here. And If I am not mistaken his hair was more brown than black. I asked who he was and he said his name was Sue Eu He Row I asked him what he does and he simply stated statesman. I laughed at that but who am I to judge? Oh yeah a man of Noble Blood"
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