The Dredgings Being the Voice of the Barony of Lochmere SCA, Inc. Volume 22 Issue 3 AS XLVI March 2012 1 This is The Dredgings, a publication of the Barony of Lochmere for the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). The Dredgings is available from the Chronicler, Sarah Toich 7388 Sweet Clover Columbia, Md 21045. There is no fee for this publication. The Dredgings is not a corporate publication of the SCA and does not delineate SCA policies. Copyright 2012, Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. For information on reprinting letters and artwork from this publication, please contact the Chronicler, who will assist you in contacting the original creator of the piece. Please respect the legal rights of our contributors. Submissions should be sent to the Chronicler and should include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if materials are to be returned. Artwork, articles, and event fliers are welcome. Submissions can be electronic or typed: email to [email protected]. Files should be in Microsoft Word format. The Chronicler reserves the right to retype articles or fliers and disregard artwork not appropriate to the style and format of The Dredgings. State all references of a work, unless an original, and include your mundane and Society name for proper credit. State in which issue (month) you would like an item to appear. In order to maintain publishing schedules, all submissions must be received by the 15th calendar day of the month for publishing in the following month's issue. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Reprints must present the text as originally published, in its entirety, with proper credit to the author and source. Contents copyright 2012. If you are new to the Barony of Lochmere, these websites should be of interest to you: Lochmere Homepage: http://www.lochmere.atlantia.sca.org Official SCA Homepage: http://www.sca.org Kingdom of Atlantia Homepage: http://www.atlantia.sca.org The Acorn: http://www.acorn.atlantia.sca.org Event Calendar: http://www.acorn.atlantia.sca.org/calendar.htm. All rights revert to the author/artist and may not be reprinted without permission. The artwork throughout this edition of The Dredgings are from: Dover Clip Art, http://www.leenwallpapers.com/ , 123freevectors.com, freepik.com, wallpapers-free.org and photos courtesy of Rita Dey. This issue of the Dredgings is in remembrance of Mistress Minowara Kiritsubo 2 Ume and Sakura in Literature and Culture By Milady Gwen (Stefanie Green Fogle) For centuries, the cherry blossom in Japan has been synonymous with spring. It has long been a custom to gather under the flowering trees and enjoy the views that nature has offered while drinking sake and eating from a picnic basket. But how did this tradition come about and what role has this blossom played in Japanese culture? The Sakura (cherry blossom) was not originally the only flower to be admired with the coming of spring. Before the Heian Era (794‐1185) the Ume (plum blossom) was what one referred to when admiring the opening buds. Traditionally, the Sakura was associated with feminine beauty and the fleetingness of life while the Ume was associated with virtue. Naturally this made them popular topics in poetry and song. References to Sakura and Ume can be found scattered throughout Japanese poetry and literature. In the Kokinshu (an anthology completed by Imperial order in 905) a poem by Ki no Tomonori asks Why do the cherry blossoms so restlessly scatter down? In the Masukagami (a historical romance based on events between 1184 and 1333) the Emperor when traveling away from the capitol sees the Sakura and is reminded of the home he is leaving behind. The blossoms symbolize the passage of time and reflect his grief. How hard it will be Once again to see the spring And cherry blossoms, Even if perchance I travel Back along this very road. In The Tale of Genji (first quarter, 11th century) by Murasaki Shikibu (thought by many to be the world’s first novel) an entire chapter is titled The Festival of Cherry Blossoms and is devoted to events surrounding a viewing party: Towards the end of the second month*, the festival of the cherry blossoms took place in the grand hall…Adepts at Chinese poetry, princes and high courtiers and others, drew lots to fix the rhyme schemes for their poems…Other high courtiers danced…The poems were read…The festivities ended late in the night. *Note: The second month in our modern calendar would be April. Sei Shonagon makes mention of Sakura and Ume multiple times in her Makura no Soshi (Pillow Book, completed in 1002), a compendium of personal thoughts and observations revolving around Heian court life. 3. Some of the other women managed to put down poems about the Spring, the blossoms, and such suitable subjects. 52. The plum blossoms in front of the palace (red on the left and white on the right) were just beginning to scatter; yet they were sill very beautiful. 3 25. Plum blossoms, whether light or dark, and in particular red plum blossoms, fill me with happiness. I also like a slender branch of cherry blossoms with large petals and dark red leaves. One section of the Makura no Soshi in particular makes mention of an artificial cherry tree being left out in the courtyard for the ladies of the court to enjoy. At this time decorating trees with paper blossoms was a well established custom. Hanami (blossom viewing) is said to have begun during the Nara Period (710‐794), though the Nihon Shoki (an 8th century chronicle) makes reference to festivals as early as the 3rd century CE. It is thought that the fascination with Ume was influenced by the Chinese Tang Dynasty’s culture of enjoying flowers since at this time in Japan’s history, the Imperial Court did much to emulate Chinese court culture. After the Heian Era, Hanami almost exclusively meant Sakura. During this time, Emperor Saga (786‐842) began to hold flower viewing parties with sake and feasts for the Imperial Court. Poems would be written honoring the blossoms and the occasion. This is thought to be the origin of the Hanami that we participate in today, though the common people did not begin to have blossom viewing parties until after 1600. One particularly famous Hanami was held by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1598 at the Daigo Temple in Kyoto. Seven hundred Sakura trees were planted for the event and the party consisted of over thirteen hundred people. This turned out to be his last, as he died five months later ending an era. It has been viewed as the last glory of his career. Today people around the world participate in Hanami. Pack a picnic lunch and the beverage of your choice and sit under the delicate blossoms enjoying the spring weather. Maybe consider writing a Haiku (5,7,5) or Tanka (5, 7, 5, 7, 7) to commemorate the occasion. It is an immensely enjoyable way to celebrate the coming of spring. Sources: Anthology of Japanese Literature compiled and edited by Donald Keene The Penguin Book of Japanese Verse translated by Geoffry Bownas and Anthony Thwaite Myths and Legends of Japan by F. Hadland Davis Introduction to Japanese Culture edited by Daniel Sosnoski The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon translated and edited by Ivan Morris The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu translated and abridged by Edward G. Seidensticker http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanami http://outdoorjapan.com/magazine/story_details/181 http://www.daigoji.or.jp/events/events_detail2_e.html The National Cherry Blossom Festival Washington, DC March 20- April 27th , 2012 http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/ERENITY IN SILK: World of Nuido Colle 4 Mar 5, 2012 ‐ Apr 2, 2012 Japanese Embroidery Center, in cooperation with Embassy of Japan, presents SERENITY IN SILK: WORLD OF NUIDO COLLECTION to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Japanese cherry blossom trees enduring friendship between the United States and Japan. http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestiv al.org/2012/02/18/serenity‐in‐silk/ Samurai: The Warrior Transformed Mar 7, 2012 - Sep 3, 2012 An exhibit offering an overview of the samurai military tradition, the values it embodied and its part in diplomatic exchange between Japan and the West. Learn about their transformation from warrior to symbol. http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org /2012/02/11/samurai/ Cherry Blossom Tea Cruises Mar 17, 2012 - Apr 8, 2012 Enjoy a narrated motor yacht tour on one of our vessels to see the beautiful cherry blossoms. Take pictures from the unique perspective of the Potomac River. We offer several different tour schedules. http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/2012/02/23/cherry‐blossom‐tea‐cruise water wheel at Tsumagp-juku Meeting Minutes Next business Meeting ­ March 12th Next Officers Meeting ­ June 4th. 5 Activities and Events Calendar March/April 2012 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY UNIVERSITY 1 2 3 SEIGE OF THE BLACK TOWER (River’s Point) MUSIC GUILD 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Gulf Fighter Gulf Wars Wars Practice and ends begins A&S Night MUSIC GUILD 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 ST. PADDY'S DAY Fighter BLOODBATH Practice MUSIC GUILD 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Fighter Practice and NIGHT UNDER Combined THE TOWN A&S Night 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Howard County DEFENDING Schools THE GATE Closed for (Stierbach) April Spring Break MUSIC GUILD 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Coronation of Bryan and Brianna (Atlantia) Coronation of Andreas and Kallista Fighter (AEthelmearc) Practice MUSIC GUILD 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS St. Paddy's Day Bloodbath March 24, 2012 Warriors of Atlantia, arise! Throw off your cloaks and seize your swords, for the horns and drums are sounding.